Designing an Accessible Bathroom for a Client with ALS in Sterling Heights, MI.

Transforming a bathroom to be accessible for a client with ALS is essential for promoting independence and comfort. By incorporating features designed specifically for their needs, we can create a safe and functional space. This project is not just about renovations; it’s about enhancing quality of life and ensuring that our client can navigate their daily routines with dignity and ease.

Designing an Accessible Bathroom for a Client with ALS

When it comes to designing an accessible bathroom, particularly for a client living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), careful consideration and creativity are paramount. ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, affects a person's ability to move, communicate, and perform daily activities. Creating a supportive environment can significantly enhance their quality of life. Here are some key insights and recommendations for designing a bathroom that meets these unique needs.

Understanding ALS and Its Impact

Before diving into the design process, it's important to have a clear understanding of how ALS affects daily living. Individuals with ALS may experience muscle weakness, reduced mobility, and challenges with coordination. These factors must be addressed in the bathroom design to ensure safety, independence, and comfort.

Key Design Features

1. **Wide Doorways and Hallways**: Accessibility starts at the entrance. Ensure that doorways are at least 36 inches wide to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility aids. Clear hallways leading to the bathroom can also aid in movement.

2. **Zero-Threshold Showers**: A roll-in shower with a zero-threshold entry allows for easy access without the need to step over a barrier. This feature minimizes the risk of falls and makes showering much simpler.

3. **Grab Bars**: Install grab bars near the toilet and inside the shower. These should be securely fastened and placed at a height that’s easy to reach. Grab bars provide essential support for individuals who need help with balance or standing.

4. **Height-Adjustable Fixtures**: Consider using adjustable shower heads and a shower bench that can be modified as needed. Height-adjustable faucets can also accommodate the user’s comfort and accessibility.

5. **Comfort Height Toilets**: Toilets that are several inches taller than standard models can make sitting down and standing up much easier for those with limited strength. This design feature is essential for promoting independence.

6. **Non-Slip Flooring**: Safety is paramount, so choose the flooring that provides traction and is resistant to water. Non-slip tiles or vinyl can minimize the risk of falls in a wet environment.

7. **Lighting and Controls**: Good visibility is crucial. Use bright, energy-efficient lighting and consider motion sensor lights to help illuminate the space without the need for manual operation. Ensure that all controls, including light switches and faucets, are easy to reach and operate.

Personalization and Aesthetics

While functionality is a top priority, personalizing the space can help make the bathroom feel like a sanctuary. Choose calming colors and comfortable textures, and incorporate elements that reflect the client’s style. It’s important to engage the client in the design process, ensuring their preferences are front and center.

Technology Integration

Incorporating technology can enhance usability. Smart home features, such as voice-activated controls for lighting and temperature, can offer added convenience. Additionally, consider installing a shower timer to help manage water usage and safety.

Conclusion

Designing an accessible bathroom for a client with ALS involves thoughtful planning, sensitivity, and innovation. By focusing on safety, ease of use, and personalization, we can create a space that not only meets practical needs but also provides comfort and dignity. Ultimately, the goal is to empower our clients, ensuring their bathroom serves as a safe haven where they can retain as much independence as possible.

Designing an Accessible Bathroom for a Client with ALS in Sterling Heights, MI.

By embracing these principles, we can enhance the living experience for individuals with ALS and help them navigate their daily routines with greater ease and confidence.

Let’s work together to make this vision a reality.

~Home Modification Ideas for ALS and MS Patients: Simple Changes for Greater Accessibility

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We work closely with the family, occupational therapists (OT), and various healthcare providers to conduct thorough home safety evaluations. Our dedicated team will assess the home layout and provide tailored recommendations to make the living environment more accessible and secure for all occupants. These recommendations may include suggestions for minor adaptations to enhance safety or more extensive home remodeling projects as requested by the family. Common improvements may involve installing a new roll-in shower with grab bars for added safety, as well as adding ramps for easier home entry and exit for individuals with mobility challenges. Here are descriptions of roll-in showers and ramps, which can be helpful in understanding their design and functionality.

Roll-In Shower

Roll-in showers are barrier-free showers designed to be accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges. These showers typically feature:

• Wide Entry: The entrance is level with the bathroom floor, allowing easy access without the need for a threshold.

• Non-Slip Flooring: A textured surface that reduces the risk of slipping when wet.

• Grab Bars: Installed on the walls for stability and support while entering or exiting the shower.

• Shower Seat: Foldable or built-in seats that allow users to sit comfortably while showering.

• Handheld Showerhead: Adjustable showerheads that can be used while seated or standing.

Ramps

Ramps provide a gradual incline for wheelchair users or individuals with mobility issues to navigate different levels of a building or outdoor space. Key features include:

• Gentle Slope: A slope that meets ADA guidelines, ensuring safety and ease of use.

• Stable Surface: Non-slip materials that provide traction, even in wet conditions.

• Side Rails: Optional railings that offer additional safety and support.

• Durable Construction: Materials that can withstand weather conditions for outdoor ramps.

These elements are crucial for ensuring accessibility and safety in shower and ramp designs.

Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom in Ann Arbor, MI

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I love the Before and Afters! ....Accessible Macomb County

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@bfallc_contractor_disability_ is a remodeling company specializing in bathroom, kitchen, and whole house design and building projects in Michigan. We assist many homeowners with accessible and barrier-free designs and modifications to help people of all ages live safely and independently in their homes.

If you’re considering making home modifications, give us a call today!

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ADA Renovations in Southfield, MI

ADA Renovations in Southfield, MI

Our client, a manual wheelchair user, was looking at purchasing his first home. Any house will require some renovations to make it sufficiently accessible for him, especially in the bathrooms - in addition to ramps into the place, roll-in showers, sufficient turning radius around the toilets, and sinks that he can roll under.

If you’re considering a renovation or want to change your layout, please get in touch with us.📞! ♿️☀️

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