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Aging in Place by Room - Part 36 - Bathroom Accessible Showers

2/13/2020

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By Anna Hazard
Accessible Barrier Free Shower Picture

Barrier Free Showers

For aging in place, the most accessible type of bathing area is a barrier-free shower stall (also known as a curbless, roll-in, or walk-in shower). These types of installations have no lip or raised edge at their entrance so they are completely level with the rest of the bathroom floor.

​This means that a walker, wheelchair, or transfer chair can be rolled straight into them for easy access and positioning which is especially beneficial for those with more limited mobility. For wheelchair use the entrance to the shower should be a minimum of 36" wide and its interior should be at least 36" x 60" (with more clearance space making maneuvering in a bathing wheelchair or other mobility aid far easier). 
Accessibility Measurements Picture

Accessibility Measurements

ADA accessibility standards suggest that showers have a 30" minimum width (with 36" - 42" width recommended) for better containment of the shower spray. At least a 36" x 36" space will be required within the shower for a person to safely transfer from a mobility aid to its interior as well as having an entrance at least 36" wide. 36" x 48" is the minimum requirement (with more space preferred) for clearance space outside the shower to give enough proper room for the bather to transfer from a wheelchair or other bulky mobility aid.
 
As the shower controls should be reachable while standing outside of the shower spray (so that the user may adjust water temperature & pressure beforehand or have an assistant remain outside of the shower to aid in bathing), the controls should be placed outside of the direct line of water within easy reach of someone sitting or standing. For best accessibility, this is generally between 38" - 48" from the floor surface and 6" from the outside of the fixture.
Adjustable Shower Head Picture

Shower Heads

An adjustable or hand held shower head is recommended for easy accessibility. This would allow the head to be moved to different heights and positions for better convenience & comfort as well as giving better control of the direction of the water spray (including allowing the user to directly hold the shower head if desired). The hand spray should have a length between 60" - 72" to better allow an assistant outside of the shower to help with bathing.
 
Shower grip holders can be added to the walls for adjustable or handheld shower heads that aren't already fitted for universal positioning. Default shower head placement should always direct the spray towards the body instead of the head or hair (especially for potential Alzheimer's or dementia users who can become disoriented by a direct spray to the face). Otherwise, the lowest position of the shower head should always remain within the universal reach range of someone sitting or standing (which would be 15" - 48" above the shower floor).
 
Besides using an adjustable or handheld, it would also be optimal to choose a shower head that allows a further range of options, This would include a selection of spray types (such as direct or angled), spray strengths & water pressure, or a massage spray option that can be helpful for use with arthritis and other types of body pains.
Shower Seating Picture

Shower Seating

The shower should be large enough to contain seating, either built-in or removable, as available seating significantly reduces the chances of falling, can help the user better take their time with cleaning, and is an outright necessity for those who can't stand for extended periods of time or who would have trouble rising from a seated position on the floor. The presence of this seating should also not interfere with the recommended minimum shower clearance size of 36" x 36".
 
For easier access, seating should be 17" - 19" high from the shower floor and should be around 15" deep so that the user can be comfortably seated without having to perch on the edge. Various types of seating are available for showers including built-in seats as well as removable stools, chairs, benches, and retractable or fold-up seats.

​All removable seating should be slip free (by temporarily attaching to the shower wall or floor through suction cups or bars) as well as being water-proof (explicitly made for use in showers) as well as heavy duty & durable enough to support the user's weight for an extended length of time.

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - Introduction
Part 2 - Exterior
Part 3 - Landscaping & Gardens
Part 4 -  Patio,  Porch, & Deck
Part 5 - Garage & Carports

Part 6 - Entrances, Exits, & Thresholds
Part 7 - Exterior Steps & Ramps
Part 8 - Threshold Lighting & Windows

Part 9 - Interior Doors & Halls
Part 10 - Interior Steps & Staircases
Part 11 - Interior Stairlifts

Part 12 - Interior Elevators
Part 13 - Interior Lighting
Part 14 - General Interior Flooring
Part 15 - Interior Flooring Comparisons
Part 16 - HVAC & Energy Efficiency

Part 17 - Power, Communications, & Other Interior Systems
Part 18 - Living Room
Part 19 - Kitchen Layout, HVAC, & Electrical Systems
Part 20 - Kitchen Lighting, Flooring, and Sink Faucets

Part 21 - Kitchen Countertops & Cabinets
Part 22 - 
Kitchen Refrigerators, Freezers, and Dishwashers
Part 23 - 
Kitchen Ovens, Ranges, Stovetops, and Cooktops
Part 24 - Kitchen 
Microwaves, Blenders, & Food Processors
Part 25 - 
Miscellaneous Kitchen Items
Part 26 - Dining Room Layout, Tables, & Other Furniture
Part 27 - Dining Room Flooring, Lighting, & Meal Serving Equipment
Part 28 - Bedroom Layout & Closets
Part 29 - Accessible 
Beds 
Part 30 - Bedroom Furniture, Electronics, & Other Accessories
Part 31 - Bedroom Flooring
​
Part 32 - Bedroom Lighting
Part 33 - Bathroom General Layout
Part 34 - Bathroom General Tips for Showers & Tubs
Part 35 - Bathroom Accessible Tubs
Part 36 - Bathroom Accessible Showers

Part 37 - Bathroom Accessible Toilets
Part 38 - Bathroom Sinks & Vanities

Part 39 - Bathroom Cabinets & Shelving
Part 40 - Bathroom Grab Bars
Part 41 - Bathroom Flooring
Part 42 - Bathroom Lighting
Part 43 - Bathroom Ableware - Toilet Aids & General Accessibility
Part 44 - Bathroom Ableware - Shower, Bathing, & Grooming Aids
Part 45 - Laundry Room Location, Layout, & Spacing
Part 46 - Laundry Room Carts, Rolling Hampers, & Chutes
Part 47 - Laundry Room Dumbwaiters
​Part 48 - Laundry Appliances (Washing Machines & Dryers)
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