5 tips for creating an arthritis-friendly bathroom

As I have shared previously, I live with various chronic illnesses which, as it stands, will cause my mobility to degenerate over the years. Right now, at 39, my mobility is only really affected on the bad days, when my hands refuse to work, or my back gives way from sitting to standing, but over time I have been told to prepare for this to impact on my daily routines and in turn, my home life. I’ve been looking at Premier Care Bathrooms for the ways in which I can make our bathroom more accessible to suit those like me, living with a form of arthritis.

Walk-in shower

A walk in shower is a great alternative for those who cannot safely access a bath due to reduced mobility. With conveniently placed grab rails they give added independence and reassurance, and are perfect for those with smaller bathrooms and en-suites.

Wet Room

For those who struggle with an enclosed shower cubicle. a wet room is a great way to eliminate tripping hazards and really maximise the space within your bathroom. For those with mobility aids such as wheelchairs or frames, wet rooms can make a huge difference and are also easier to clean for those who may find this a struggle.

Choice of taps

Something I had never really considered before was the choice of taps in the bathroom. With those suffering from arthritis often struggling to twist a tap on and off, a push/pull or a lift up mechanism is far easier to manoeuvre

Mobility Aids

Mobility aids are a real must in any arthritis friendly bathroom. Things use grab rails and bars around showers, toilets, baths and basins can make such a difference and again allow independence or those who struggle with mobility.

The most important thing to consider is even if you don’t need an arthritis friendly bathroom right at this time, allowing space for them when designing your bathroom layout can save you a lot of money in the long term so you don’t need to redesign it when the time comes to add in these extras. Leaving space for mobility aids around your fittings, deciding on a shower or a bath, and even choosing the height at which you fit your units and basin can really make a big difference when the time comes.

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