Handicapped Shower Stalls
When a person is handicapped, he or she may need assistance when showering. Handicapped shower stalls can make it easier and safer for both the person who needs assistance and the person who is providing the assistance. Handicap shower ramps help the shower stall to be even more accessible and safer. Shower stall kits can come with factory installed grab bars and other features to make installation easier.
Handicapped People and Shower Stalls
A handicapped shower stall is for people with disabilities. The disability may be physical or developmental. Some types of disabilities are permanent while others are temporary. All types of disabilities will benefit from a specialized shower stall. These are some of the disabilities that can affect the ability to shower safely and independently.
- Physical disabilities – loss of limbs, limited use of limbs, inability to stand, gate problems, muscle weakness, uncontrollable movements, and diseases (MS, stroke, CP, etc.).
- Developmental disabilities – inability to follow directions, unable to learn safety procedures, functioning at an infant or small child’s level, and undeveloped problem solving skills
- Permanent disabilities – illness, disease, physical, developmental delays, physical damage to body, seizures, and brain damage.
- Temporary disabilities – recovering from an illness, healing from an injury, coping with a tragedy, and rehabilitation after surgery.
All the disabilities have traits that can make showering unsafe. The amount of assistance needed will vary from person to person depending on their specific disability.
Assisted Showering in a Shower Stall
There are various levels of assistance that will be needed depending on the extent of the disability. The assistance can be minimized with a properly equipped handicapped shower stalls. When assisting someone showering you will want to allow them to do as much as they can independently. Properly equipped shower stalls are needed. Handicapped shower stalls can have the following features:
- Large size to allow room for assistance
- Grab bars to assist in standing, steadying, and turning
- Shower ramps to allow shower chair access
- Seat so that an ambulatory person will not need to stand too long
- Easy to reach soap and shampoo holders
- Non slip shower floor
- Handheld shower heads
The right accessories like shampoo, soap, and conditioner pumps, sponges with extended handles, and curtain shower closures will also be helpful. Avoid shower doors because they can be hard to use and make the space more confined.
Accessible Handicap Shower Stalls
Some shower stalls will have a threshold to prevent water from leaking out into other areas of a bathroom. These usually have an increased incline so the water stays in the shower stall to drain. This may cause a shower chair to be at an angle. Using a shower chair with locks and adjustable legs will make showering safer. Showers with a threshold may need a shower ramp to be accessible and safe. Widened doorways into the bathroom may be required to make the shower accessible.
When choosing handicap shower stalls consider the present level of assistance needed and future assistance needs if the person has a condition that will progress and require additional help with personal care.