13th Dec 2011
Advice on Showering with Sensory or Visual Impairment
For people with mobility problems, showering can provide a safer and easier alternative to bathing and, with carefully chosen design features, the same applies for people with sensory impairment. AKW has a range of products designed to create a safe showering environment as Joanna Marston, Marketing Manager explains:
Colour contrast is a vital component of design for the visually impaired and that is particularly so in the bathroom. Recommendations for general bathroom design include such things as slip resistant and non-reflective flooring in a contrasting colour to the walls and colour contrast for essential aids such as grab rails or handles.
One of the major advantages that showering can offer over bathing is that it can provide a greater degree of independence –if the shower and shower installation have been designed with the end user in mind. This is very much the case with AKW’s LUDA® electric care shower. Designed to meet BEAB CARE standards, it combines safety and usability features not found in conventional electric showers and as a result has achieved RNIB accreditation for Inclusive Design, confirming its suitability for users with the widest range of disabilities and visual impairments. Thanks to these features Luda® shower won a five star rating award by UK’s leading disability magazine ABLE.
Special features of the LUDA® include a combined riser/grab rail with a high-contrast blue grip, capable of supporting 90kg of weight so no additional rail is needed. For electrical safety, the shower unit is designed to IP45 so it is fully waterproof meaning that it can be located anywhere within the wet area for easy access and at any convenient height for seated users. This differs with the norm for electric showers which is IP44 for water ingress, allowing only for water to drip onto the unit, so it must be located away from the shower jets. The LUDA® also has back-flow prevention which means that the hose does not have to be retained within the riser rail, providing maximum use and range, particularly helpful in assisted showering situations.
An important design feature of the LUDA® for anyone with any degree of sensory impairment is the highly tactile shower control buttons, which offer improved navigation and make the shower easy and safe to use. Flow and temperature buttons are indicated by bright illumination and audio recognition gives the user individual control.
The shower tray is also an important part of the bathroom design process and ideally this should offer access without the need to step over a tray rim. Trays like AKW’s Mullen® can be used to create a clearly defined showering area and a complete level access enclosure. The Mullen®, which can be used on timber or screeded floors, has a standard 25mm fall to allow for quick drainage of water from the tray and it is formed from compressed GRP making it both strong and stable. An integrated clamping strip forms a water-tight seal and if the tray needs to be surface mounted rather than in-set into the floor, a surface mounted ramp can be added. The Mullen® can be used with safety flooring or with tiles which should be of a contrasting colour to the shower tray.
Contrasting colours are also important for shower enclosure handles and door latches. Blue D handles and latches are standard on most of AKW’s bi-folding shower doors and can be supplied on other doors if required.
If mobility issues also have to be considered, a shower seat is a valuable aid. AKW’s 4000 Series shower seats are the most specified seats in the UK and are designed to accommodate a variety of individual end-user needs. Available with numerous options including backrest, padded arms and adjustable leg and horseshoe shaped, they are available in high visibility blue padding for better contrast and are of a sturdy design capable of carrying up to 245kg (40 stone) in weight. They are also available in 2000 series (compact version) and for bariatric users (extra wide option).
For people with sensory impairment but otherwise good mobility, full independence can be achieved by including features in the bathroom that provide a guide system. AKW offers its grab rail Versability kits which, in blue against a light coloured wall can be used to create a guide-rail system with alcove, corner and extension kits. If the user also has mobility problems, this system is designed to bear weights up to 190kg and a hanging 2000 series seat can be attached.
Other aids available with colour contrast include fluted grab rails, fold up rails that can be situated next to the WC – folding neatly away when not required and are ideal for multi-user bathrooms – and ergonomic toilet seats in high-visibility blue. In addition fluted grab rails are now also available in yellow.
Showering with sensory impairment can offer ease and independence with the right approach to design. Careful thought given to layout with the appropriate guiding aids, using colour to create distinction between walls and floors, and floor and shower area and the addition of high visibility aids to contrast against their background will all contribute to an attractive and user-focused inclusive design.
