Old Folks bathroom alteration

J_B

The In-Laws live happily in their 4 bed Victorian semi 'in town' but are getting no younger.

The only bathroom is currently 'traditional' bath / loo / basin / airing cupboard.

Anyway, following a recent illness where MiL didn't go downstairs for a week, they have decided (no pressure from us of course!!) to update the bathroom.

Simple job, we thought. Bath out, shower in, away to go .... BUT (there's always a but isn't there) they both still like to have a bath, FiL especially, it helps his bad back he says.

While they are both reasonably well, we thought it best to try and do some future proofing rather than a fire brigade job when it's too late.

I wondered if there was one of those baths with a side door on that could also be used as a shower.

The bath nearly fills the length of the room on one side. The new one could be no wider than 900mm.

I'm sure there are plenty of folks on here who have encountered such conundrums .....

Suggestions??

flashg67

A shorter bath and a separate shower cubicle?
Would one of the bedrooms take a shower / ensuite maybe?

Mojisola

J_B wrote: »

I wondered if there was one of those baths with a side door on that could also be used as a shower.

I've never heard an OT recommend these baths.

The bather has to sit in them while they fill up - if the water mix isn't exactly right, they can get very cold or even scalded while the bath fills up.

They have to stay in the bath until it empties which can end up with them feeling very cold.

Personally, I don't think I would trust the seals to last for very long.

Could you either turn the smallest bedroom into a second bathroom or shower room or move a wall to make enough room in the current bathroom for the shower and bath?

ST1991

Can you put handles on the bath for the time being, to aid getting in and out?
Cheap fix until you need to consider a wet room. My nan has a wet-room with a shower and seat so she can sit down whilst in the shower.

moneyistooshorttomention

Is the bathroom upstairs?

If so - is there anything downstairs that could be converted into a showerroom (ie leaving a traditional bathroom upstairs)? eg Utility room? Maybe "section off" a part of an integral garage and turn into a shower-room?

almeria1

I found the mention of h andles useful. Since my wife was unwell a handle ( such as you find in hotel bathrooms) would be a great help to her. I have looked on the sheds websites but cannot see any.

Mojisola

almeria1 wrote: »

I have looked on the sheds websites but cannot see any.

Usually called grab rails -
http://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-kitchens/elderly-disabled-grab-rails/cat820218

dargoon

Mojisola- many thanks thats just the type that will help her.

J_B

Thanks everyone thus far ...

flashg67 wrote: »

A shorter bath and a separate shower cubicle?

A possibility, but there's isn't enough room really, it's a standard bath with about 200mm shelf at the end

flashg67 wrote: »

Would one of the bedrooms take a shower / ensuite maybe?

Of course it would, but they are very reluctant to do this ....

ST1991 wrote: »

Can you put handles on the bath for the time being, to aid getting in and out?
Cheap fix until you need to consider a wet room. My nan has a wet-room with a shower and seat so she can sit down whilst in the shower.

We would prefer to get something future proof done now whilst they are in reasonably good health, rather than a major upheaval when they are in poor health.

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Is the bathroom upstairs?
If so - is there anything downstairs that could be converted into a showerroom

Sadly not really - we have looked quite a bit!


They have lived there all of their 60 years of married life ... any big change now is rather traumatic!

tanith

If they insist on keeping the bath and you can'f fit a shower in the bathroom as well then a good compromise would be a shower in one or other of the 3 spare bedrooms.. I don't really see an alternative. We had to take our bath out as I have had hip surgery and couldn't get in or out of the bath easily anymore. We have a fab walk in shower in place of the bath and OH who loved his bath was soon glad that we'd done it as he says he would now have problems getting in and out of a bath.

Jamiesmum

Don't force them too change it if they don't want it changed.

I work in care and regularly help many people in and out of both showers and baths and walk in showers from their original suites. Of course a wet room is always great option - shower and chair and plenty of grab rails.

If they won't be without the bath then an option would be bath chairs, I guess. And good quality bath mats that do not slip with again, grab rails.

https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/swivel-bath-seats/swivel-bath-seat-adjustable-width-view-large?gclid=CPu7wYOQz9ECFRITGwodttkDqw

I know a lady with one like this but it also comes with a pressure pump for lowering and highering. (like a desk chair) Of course she couldn't do it herself though so not sure how much help it would be if they don't have the strength. I do know she paid alot of money for it though. If I recall correct it was around £800 and was made to fit her current bath.