Suggestions Please: Making my Home Bathroom Accessible for My Quad Cousin

[dzskatgillespie]

Could anyone help me out by giving me some more ideas in how I can prepare my new condo for visits from my cousin?

My husband and I are buying a duplex Chicago-style condo. We bought the first floor & garden unit for easier accessiblity for her. We are like sisters, but she doesn't visit too often, and has to fly in from San Fran - maybe once a year. I am having a temporary ramp built so when she does come I can have it out for her. The builder is being very cool with letting us modify his design, make upgrades, etc.

My main question for anyone who can shed some light is, what dimensions should the bathroom be? She told me it is easiest for her to take a shower in a "shower" not in a bathtub, because if not, she will need to bring much more equipment to attach to a bathtub. So we asked our developer to modify our master-bathroom into a shower instead of a jacuzzi tub. She doesn't seem to know much about the exact dimensions she needs, so I'm hoping someone in this community can help me out.

Also, any other ideas you may have about the home that would make her life easier would be very appreciated!

Thanks in advance. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[MZack]

I've no expertise regarding the proper dimensions of a roll-in shower (though I agree that roll-in showers are a Godsend for a quad.)

However, I'd just like to say that everyone should be so lucky to have a cousin like you.

MZ

[dzskatgillespie]

MZack,

It's no big deal, I'd think most people would do what they could for the ones they love.

Thanks for your input regarding the shower. Eventhough you don't know about dimensions of a shower, could you or someone give me typical dimensions (width/depth) of a chair that you use in a shower?

Maybe SCI Nurse could help - if she sees this? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

dzskat

[MZack]

Eventhough you don't know about dimensions of a shower, could you or someone give me typical dimensions (width/depth) of a chair that you use in a shower?

Maybe _SCI Nurse_ could help - if she sees this? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

dzskat

My shower chair is about 28" wide, from handrim to handrim, overall depth about 36" from back of rear wheel to front of footrest.

There are literally hundreds of shower chairs out there. Many if not most have their specs posted on the web, just look for the manufacturer's web site (invacare, E&J, etc.)

[dzskatgillespie]

Also, just realized, I don't want to assume anything, what should the door widths be?

THANKS MZACK!!!

[Nancie]

i can't help w/ the dimensions of the actual bathroom (big!) but please make sure the doorway is wide enough, at least 36" wide.
if the door isn't wide enough for a 'chair to get in, it doesn't matter what you do inside, she won't be able to use it if she can't get to it.
ask your cousin to measure her everyday chair as well as her bathroom/shower chair from its widest point to its widest point (wheels).
then make sure the doorway is wider.
you can buy "off-set hinges" for doors at most large home stores, like lowes or home depot.
they enable the door to opened even a bit wider....here:
http://www.adaptiveaccess.com/offset_hinges.php

[cementhead]

nancy,where at in chicaago area are you?I used to buiild houses and live in this area.Maybe I could stop and take a look give you some idea's

[dzskatgillespie]

Nancie - thanks for the door info.

Cementhead - The condo will be in Roger's Park - North Side of the city. Right now it's basically gutted with some framing inside. It's a gut/rehab conversion. At the moment there wouldn't be any accessibility for a wheelchair - not sure if you need that to get in, but it would be very helpful to have your input.

[SCI-Nurse]

Here are some resources for you:

http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_easy_access_adapt

http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm

http://www.nahbrc.org/about2.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=1830

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/cpr/bsd/building.html

http://www.universaldesignonline.com/pages/764806/index.htm

http://www.waccess.org/

(KLD)

[dzskatgillespie]

Thanks for all your help. SCI Nurse, I appreciate the links they will be VERY helpful. And I'd just like to say I'm happy to have stumbled upon this community, simply reading the forums has given me a newfound hope.

I found a few other older forum threads where others discussed some home modifications they had made in the past. Some with very useful info too. I am putting the links here, to make it easier for me to reference to, and maybe anyone else who stumbles upon this thread.

http://carecure.org/forum/showpost.php?p=47829
http://carecure.org/forum/showpost.php?p=231193

http://carecure.org/forum/showpost.php?p=231193

dzskat

[McDuff]

Dzskat, this thread will help me. A brother is building a house and is making it accessible for when I visit, with a roll-in and all. Got some good info here.

I agree with MZack, it is a big deal. You're right, it shouldn't be, but you'll find a lot of horror stories dealing with families not going the extra mile(or foot or inch) for accessibility. I'm glad I got a good one, and your 'Cuz is lucky to have you. Kudos are due.

"Rather be ridin' than rollin'"

[nggun]

Hi dz,

One thing you might want to check on is if there are any exposed pipes under the sink. Plumbers can cover them so your cousin doesn't burn herself when she rolls under.

It is a big deal! Your cousin is lucky. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Bill H.]

Go to www.Lasco.com (http://www.Lasco.com) click on Freedom line and then go to ADA showers or tub and showers. This may give you an idea on shower sizes and also wheel in units.

Every day is a Holiday

[Bill H.]

Sorry the e-mail has changed to www.lascobathware (http://www.lascobathware) .com click on #1 and go from there.

Every day is a Holiday

[Chris Chappell]

dzkat - what level quad is your cousin? It may make a difference in terms of access, necessity, design.

Agreed with others, your cousin is lucky, very lucky that you are making these modifications. God bless and good luck. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Scott Pruett]

x2 on what Obed said.

I stumbled on this bath/shower option recently. I have no experience with it, but it looks to be pretty innovative:

http://turtlehomes.com/models/aio.html

http://turtlehomes.com/_images/HygAIOBathOpen.jpg

[SCI-Nurse]

Interesting, but many would not want to have to transfer and sit on the toilet to brush their teeth or shave, and the transfer to the toilet could not be done with a lift.

Limited use at best for most people with mobility problems. Reminds me of an airline toilet.

(KLD)

[betheny]

People make houses accessible for people that don't even live there? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif Wow, how cool is that?

"...I mean the wheelchair would be a thing in the past
And us quads can talk about the past and laugh"-Professirx
http://unite2fightparalysis.org/

[dzskatgillespie]

tried to attach a pdf

[This message was edited by dzskatgillespie on 06-09-05 at 04:50 PM.]

[dzskatgillespie]

Hi all,

Geez, I haven't been here in a while. Sorry I didn't see all the more recent responses. I haven't had a chance to meet with the developer since I've had all this input - so your ideas will still be very helpful. My husband's father is a developer in another state and he came up with a design/layout for me based on the comments from this site and his own experience.

I'd attach the design here - but it won't let me - it's a pdf. Is there someone who can let me put it up?

Thanks again for all your input.

[This message was edited by dzskatgillespie on 06-09-05 at 04:48 PM.]

[This message was edited by dzskatgillespie on 06-09-05 at 04:51 PM.]

[dzskatgillespie]

http://carecure.org/forum/showthread.php?t=462

Note for myself - and anyone else - another thread talking about a portable shower SCI Nurse found.