Having a safe way for the elderly to shower and clean is important. But not any old shower or tub will do. This is why it’s super important to have the correct wet rooms for the elderly so that they can relax and be safe when they’re using the shower or needing to clean up quickly on their own.
What is a wet room?
While most people are familiar with a walk-in shower, there are a few differences to keep in mind from a wet room.
A wet room is going to typically provide a bigger area that doesn’t have a lip or an area that could be a trip hazard. There is also a seat included as well to be able to sit down while bathing in the room.
Wet rooms are great for the elderly and those that are in wheelchairs as well, especially in senior living communities. Since the space is big enough for the entire wheelchair to fit right in with it. This can be a perfect solution for creating a handicap-accessible bathroom as well.
What are the pros of having a wet room in your house?
There are so many positives to installing a wet room! For starters, it’s a great way to ease the worry of anyone elderly tripping or falling getting in and out of the tub.
A wet room is great because it’s simple to get in and out for anyone.
Another major positive of a wet room is it’s really easy to clean! The walls are made with panels that take no time at all to wipe down and look sparkly clean. Why spend a ton of time cleaning the bathroom walls when you don’t have to?
Wet rooms are also created to have a really fast drain so that there isn’t a ton of water just left standing there on the floor. This makes it a safer place to stand and shower so that there won’t be excess water causing a slip or fall.
What is a walk in shower?
A walk-in shower is just like it sounds. It’s a shower space that you can open the door and easily walk right into. It does have a ledge and a door that holds all the water in so that it doesn’t leak out onto the floor causing a slip hazard when you’re trying to get out.
Some walk in showers come with seats, while others don’t. You can even install some that have a safety bar to hold on to while in the shower.
The great thing about a walk-in shower is that it’s simple to use and a great resource for anyone who can’t quite step over the tub but can step over the smaller ledge of a shower.
What are the pros of a walk-in shower?
There are a lot of pros to a walk-in shower. First and foremost, it’s a great way to add value to your home to appeal to buyers of all ages.
Secondly, it’s a simple way to create a safer environment for the elderly to be able to shower without worry.
What are the main differences between a wet room and a walk-in shower?
While they’re similar in a lot of ways, they have their differences, too. So, if you’re trying to decide between walk-in showers and wet rooms Devon (or wherever it is you are), these differences should help you to determine which will be the best option for you. A walk-in shower is a lot smaller than a wet room which is one of the biggest differences.
The wet room is handicap accessible, which a walk-in shower is not. This is why many homes and newer units being built are adding wet rooms instead of walk-in showers.
Walk in showers are more limiting than a wet room but tend to be more affordable for that purpose as well. Also, when trying to decide whether you want a wet room or a walk-in shower, you need to look at the space and the room that you have available.
A wet room is quite a bit larger than the shower and you’ll need to have a space where it can easily go.
What are some safety reasons to install a walk-in shower or a wet room?
Most of the time, bathrooms get upgraded to one of these two options for a safety reason or concern.
If there is someone in the home who needs a bit of extra help when showering, these are both great options to consider.
Both provide ample space to be able to not feel crowded and even have space for a bathroom chair to be added easily as well. This is so helpful for them to have a space to sit and rest when they’re starting to feel fatigued.
Another really great safety feature is that there isn’t a huge ledge to step over to get inside. The shower does have a slight lip to get over but the wet room doesn’t have anything at all. This means that you can rest easy knowing that they’re not going to lose their balance while getting in and out of the tub or anything dangerous like that.
This also means that they’re less likely to lose their footing and slip and fall in an area because they’re not taking big steps and losing their balance.
When it comes to having a space in your bathroom that is safe and accessible, you have great options to choose from.
Find out the size you need and budget that you can afford and then do what you can to make it happen. You can easily take an old bathroom and upgrade it in no time to have a safer place for someone older to bathe and get clean.
This is also a really great way to keep the positivity going for them so that they don’t have to worry about needing help while they’re in the shower. You’re providing a space for them that allows for their independence without any sort of embarrassing transition. They’ll love having the bigger space and be thankful for the added safety features! Any move that you make is going to be a good one!
