I like the low-mounted outlet for the handheld sprayer. I like the shower curtain. I am not sold on the controls.
While Mrs ERJ and I are currently both hale and hearty, we know that can change in the blink-of-an-eye. We have family members who have experienced strokes, vertigo, sudden back or joint issues, chemo-therapy or a slip-and-fall and so-on.
Currently, both of our bathrooms have combination shower-baths with the original, mid-1970's fiberglass surrounds. I added a grab-handle to the bath attached to our bedroom.
That leaves us looking at making the (formerly known as) kid's bathroom friendlier for us if/when we have impaired mobility. It is going to be a pretty steep learning curve. We have a "window" when we can work on the bathroom in June and July.
Any opinions from you guys before I open my wallet?
Itsy Bitsy spider Big Hairy Spider went up the water spout...
Yeah, we don't raise snowflakes out here.
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| This spider was waiting in the shower for Belladonna when she was about 15. She is not a "morning person" but she woke up in a hurry that day. |
Woodchucks
One more woodchuck met her demise today. That brings the total up to four.
AU Rosa Plum
Some early-blooming trees are very attractive to bees. Others don't get much love.
My AU Rosa tree was buzzing with pollinators this morning even though we had a 20 mph wind, the sky was overcast and the temperature was in the mid-fifties. No, they were not domesticated honeybees.
Humanity in the Self-checkout at Walmart
I was standing in line at the self-checkout at 8:15AM and a Walmart associate walked up to the elderly woman who was working the area. "How are you doing?" the associate asked.
"It sucks. But I will survive" the woman, who was wearing a face mask replied.
When it was my turn, the barcode reader wouldn't pick up the bar code because of the shiny paper the label was printed on.
"Hey, I need some help" I told the old lady.
She came over and shook her head.
"Tough day. Sorry about that" I said to her as she started tapping in the UPC by hand.
"It shows?" she asked, surprised.
"No, I saw your friend check on you and evesdropped on your conversation" I said.
"I had a woman come through who didn't know how to use the scale" the woman said. "It went downhill from there."
"Sometimes life sucks" I empathized as I gave her a fist-bump.
Then the man who was checking out at the next station said "That's a fact" and he came over and gave her a fist-bump. In fact, he taught her two that I had never seen before:
-Turkey (after fist-bump one of the people spreads out their hand like a fanning tom-turkey).
-Snail (after fist-bump one of the people makes a "peace sign" with their two fingers and positions it in front of the other person's fist like a couple of antenna).
That got a chuckle out of the old woman.
I would recommend that you get rid of the tub and put in a shower stall. Stepping that high step into and out of the tub to take a shower can be difficult and dangerous. And a shower stall is much easier to clean. --ken
ReplyDeleteA (relatively minor) stroke rendered the bathtub a non-starter for the Queen. I do an occasional bath remodel professionally, Covid MkII gave me all the free time required. The "bath-in-a-day" products are way over-priced crap, plastic pans and walls work ok in a travel trailer ...my prejudice is showing. Tile.
ReplyDeleteMade it so,
A little East of Paris
I replaced a tub with a walk-in shower with sliding doors.
ReplyDeleteMy regret is that I didn't do enough construction to make a big walk-in shower. Tub width is just not big enough.
If I or my lovely bride fall, assistance will be hampered by a narrow unit.
Investing in improving your infrastructure in your home is a smart place to store wealth in 2025.
I did buy a combination regular shower head and hose head with a low mount bracket for the hose end.
Works for the granddaughter.
We had our lower bath redone just before I retired. It has made a huge difference in our feeling safer in the shower. Shower stall, grab bars and slip resistant floor. Highly recommended.
ReplyDeleteI would do what he recommended, but I would add a second 'higher' grab bar on the side wall. I upgraded my bathroom last year to something very similar. And yes, use real tile, and buy quality stuff, especially the floor pan!
ReplyDeleteZero entry shower enclosure, glass doors, a couple of solid grab bars. This is the way.
ReplyDeleteWhen we built it was with access in mind so hallways are 4 ft. Doorways are 3’. The shower has a 2” step up to enter. The grab rails are a great idea. Regardless, make all access into the shower capable of rolling in someone seated in a shower chair.
ReplyDeleteERJ Our shower conversion went like this:
ReplyDeleteWatrerproof sheetrock with waterproof underlayment for floor to ceiling tile.
Single sheet dimpled floor, I think it is some sort of ceramic, but it is non skid so no mats or stickers. It drains well.
Grab bars specific to our height(s).
Recessed soap / shampoo cubbie.
Corner seat.
Short, 5" wide step over into shower.
Curtain, no doors.
Single control faucet.
Standard shower head w - detachable hand held head.
Neck
ERJ, my parents built their shower with the history of my material grandmother, who had a stroke. It was built wide enough to allow a wheelchair to enter. I heartily recommend the shower only conversion (they did have tile, which got a bit slippery).
ReplyDeleteFound a good plumber. Threw our bath away. Shower cabinet that replaced it is excellent. I shower sitting on a stool.
ReplyDeleteWill we need to redo it later? Lord, I hope not.
Don't any of y'all like to soak your weary ass in a hot bath?
ReplyDeleteHow does one maintain the ability to immersion wash, and soak, while improving the ingress/egress from the bathing pool?
Milton
Joe, are either of you invested in tub baths? Some folks dont feel they’ve done the job properly unless they’ve soaked in a tub. Personally, I’d be happy with a quality walk in shower but my wife really likes her tub baths. She would go along a shower only conversion but would miss her baths. Is your house set up so that you could convert only one bathroom if one of you likes tub baths?
ReplyDeleteAs a carpenter I would say all these suggestions good/especially a wide egress door(36").I hate to say it but think of the worst condition you may be in but still able to live at home(hopefully condition temp.!).
ReplyDeleteThink also as mentioned,do you like to tub soak or would a wide shower that can handle a shower bench work.
As for toilet heights can change a bit if needed and if needed a bidet spray can be added to existing toilets.
Very smart to think about before hand/need and what you do will not hinder younger/more spry folks from using said bathroom
Walk-in bath tubs are another option.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-Bathtubs-Walk-in-Tubs/N-5yc1vZbz9m
Buttons for open/close valves is a new one for me, not sure how I like the idea. The rainfall showerhead should be further out into the shower, or be able to be tilted to get a good pattern into the center of the stall. I'd also have put a towel rack on the left hand wall inside the stall for wet wash cloths, and a robe hook on the right hand jam so a dry towel is right there when you're done.
ReplyDeleteWhile not specifically called out, I'm fairly certain the client is wheelchair bound, hence the lack of grab bars higher up on the walls.
/LJ