Safe and Accessible Bathing Solutions Rotating Header Image

March, 2010:

Study Examines Availability and Use of Grab Bars in Apartments

Mar 28th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

The Canadian Journal on Aging released a study in 2006 titled “Access to Grab Bars: Evidence of a Policy Gap”. In it, researchers focused on access to bathtub grab bars in privately and publicly owned apartment buildings. They found that grab bars are significantly more prevalent in publicly owned apartments (91.3%) as compared to privately owned (37.8%).

Surveys of residents revealed that seniors were more likely to have grab bars in their bathtubs if they were older, were in poor health, had fallen in the previous year or used a mobility aid. Among those who did not have grab bars, 33 per cent reported fear of falling while bathing, 20 per cent reported difficulty bathing and 23 per cent were found to have impaired balance.

We couldn’t find a free full version of the report, but here is a link to a service offering paid access.

A Practical Guide to Universal Home Design

Mar 19th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

We came across this handy guide on designing a home that is accessible for people of all abilities. Published by the South East Metro Seniors Agenda for Independent Living in St. Paul, MN, it provides excellent recommendations on site planning, step-free entries, flooring and window choices, and features and specifications for the bathroom, kitchen and other rooms of the house.

For the bathroom, they recommend the following specs:

  • Door 36 inches wide to allow for a 34-inch clear opening when the door is open at a right angle
  • Ample floor space for maneuvering between bathroom fixtures. Allow at least 30 inches by 48 inches of clear floor space among the fixtures; 60 inches by 60 inches is ideal. (If your shower entrance has no raised threshold, the shower floor can provide part of the clear maneuvering space.)
  • Walk-in shower with little or no threshold or lip to step over – ideally no more than 1/2 inch,and beveled to provide a tiny “ramp”rather than a tripping obstacle. Slope the shower floor maximum of 1/8 inch per foot.
  • Shower size: Minimum 36 by 36 inches; for a roll-in shower, allow 36 inches by 60 inches.

The guide provides plenty of other tips on how to make bathrooms safe with the right accessories, including grab bars. They recommend reinforcing the walls around the bath and toilet with ¾” plywood panels. Coincidentally, all Best Bath shower surrounds have these plywood panels already built in, saving you that critical step for proper grab bar installations.

Here is a link to the report.

Practical Guide to Universal Home Design

The State of Remodeling in Today’s Economy

Mar 12th, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

In 2009, the Harvard Joint Center for Remodeling Studies released a study titled “The Remodeling Market in Transition”. In it they found, to no one’s surprise, the downturn of the housing market has had an impact on home improvement spending.

Existing home sales were down 30% in the 3rd quarter of 2008 from the most recent peak. Since a large portion of remodeling projects come with the purchase of existing homes, as the buyers come in and desire to make changes, it spells fewer opportunities. Throw in less equity, falling housing prices and increases in foreclosures and there is less incentive to make improvements to boost the home’s overall resale value.

But the study determined some interesting areas of the market that will show growth heading into the next decade. These include homes purchased by recent immigrants, rental properties that felt neglect during the home buying boom, foreclosed homes that qualify for federal housing redevelopment funds, and the increasing demand from consumers for quality, durable, sustainable and safe housing products.

It’s a great read. Click here to view the full report.

Housing Needs for the Disabled in Years to Come

Mar 1st, 2010
by admin.
No comments yet

In January, the National Council on Disability (NCD) submitted a report to President Obama titled The State of Housing in America in the 21st Century: A Disability Perspective. This comprehensive report provides an overview on and recommendations for, housing needs and options for people with disabilities in the US.

Here are a few of the recommendations that the council shared with the President:

  • Congress and the President should substantially increase funding for construction of accessible, affordable, integrated housing. This should include fully funding the National Housing Trust Fund to ensure very low income renters are assisted.
  • HUD and USDA should award incentives in all new Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) to encourage visitability features, including for people with environmental sensitivities, in all housing funded.
  • Reform existing HUD programs to end the definition of people with disabilities as a “special needs” category and make all programs, services, and activities accessible to people with different types of disabilities, including people with environmental sensitivities.
  • HUD should establish a well-funded national modification fund to pay for reasonable modifications that are necessary to make private units accessible (or at least usable by people with disabilities).
  • Congress should support the Inclusive Home Design Act (H.R. 1408) that will ensure a basic level of accessibility (i.e., visitability) in all housing built with federal funds but not covered by the Fair Housing Act.

Learn more about the ways the NCD is promoting equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, and helping to empower independent living by visiting their website.