Future proofing the bathroom

Sadly, there is no "of course" about it. Many people don’t know what help they are entitled to.

Of course they can. But if the work was neither requested nor needed, I suspect this is a council property.

And? Your post said I thought local authorities were strapped for cash. .

I explained why councils, even though they have been starved of income by a neo-capitalist government, still use the basic conservative (small 'c' as in those who conserve) principles of a stitch in time saving nine that most live by if they can afford to.

I cant possibly give you an answer to Do you live in a council property or why the work was done, seemingly against her will. I simply didn't want anyone to think they couldn't get help unless they lived in a council owned property. They can.

But nipsmum said she didn’t ask to have the work done, nor did she need it.

www.foundations.uk.com/how-we-help/adapt-my-home/

This page gives information about Disabled Facilities Grants and a self assessment tool to help you see if you are eligible.

It will depend on your income Germanshepherdsmum, not whether you own your home or live in a council house. The council does this because if someone on a low income stays in there home for four years the council gain from the transaction by not having to find care home fees. All the people I have have come across who have had this done, have stayed at home for longer, sometimes much longer, than four years.

They council will also send occupational therapists to assess what can be done to keep you as independent as possible and in your own home for as long as possible. Sadly, a lot less is available now and it can be a long wait as there is a lack of OTs.

Even if your income means you pay for any alterations, etc., they will very often tell about aids you have never heard of or even thought of.

nipsmum

I had a team of Council Contractors in, in late November,Future proofing my bathroom. I did not ask to have it done, I didn't really need it done. They installed a disabled type shower which unfortunately required a Gulper drain. It sounds like nothing I can describe. A large animal choking to death is as close as I can get. The rest of the fittings are normal. It was well done and nicely finished but a bit noisy

I'll be sure to avoid getting one of those, then . Thanks for the tip!

I thought local authorities were strapped for cash. Do you live in a council property?

I had a team of Council Contractors in, in late November,Future proofing my bathroom. I did not ask to have it done, I didn't really need it done. They installed a disabled type shower which unfortunately required a Gulper drain. It sounds like nothing I can describe. A large animal choking to death is as close as I can get. The rest of the fittings are normal. It was well done and nicely finished but a bit noisy

I have recently refurbished my bathroom, its a very small room, 1800 x 1800, so my options were shower over the bath or shower only. As I am in my late 60's and had a knee replacement some years ago, I settled on a low profile shower tray, once the flooring was laid there is no step to get in. I don't have hand rails or a stool as yet but they will be easy to install later. If I am desperate for a soak I pop along to the nearby swimming baths where at least I know I can get out without help

If you are future proofing and don't need grab rails at the moment you can always have them put in later.

We kept putting off the decision with our bathroom (which had a shower over the bath) for several years as it seemed like too much hassle. However, the decision was made for us as my husband fell in the bath both at home and on holiday where the bath was similarly set up. Eventually, after five years of his balance getting worse he was referred to the local council by his occupational therapist to have a "disabled" bathroom installed free of charge.
I have to say, this was the best thing we had done and the contractor who the council arranged for us was very experienced in that type of work; removing the bath & installing a walk-in shower, with toilet and basin also.
We did not miss the bath at all and the feeling of safety is priceless. Everyone says how nice it looks and even the grab rails do not really detract from its appearance.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea but for future proofing it's perfect.

3 weeks ago my DH slipped on the ice 😵‍💫. Broke his hip. We now absolutely need a walk in shower. Knock down the wall build a shower… & bath if poss (suspect you’ll have space) & if you don’t .. just have a shower. Baths are so last century 🤣 but seriously you’ll need it before you realise

It depends how long you expect to stay in this house Doodledog. If you don't think you will move I would take the bath out now and invest in a wet room as most of us need this eventually.

If you knock through from the loo the loo space can often make a good sized, easily accessible shower space and may free up the bath space for storage and hand basin. I would recommend opening doors (hinged) doors. Sliding doors are the devil to clean.

There us good reason for having the loo straight ahead of the door. I would also recommend a comfort height loo. They are higher and do away with the additional seat you may need later on when standing back up becomes difficult. This also helps the helper to aid standing.

If you expect to move again and, as you say this is your only bathroom, I would leave the bath and not spend as much. Perhaps just improve the shower.

Good luck. You will, I'm sure, get pleasure out of the finished bathroom.

No arguing, please . The more the merrier.

Thanks, Norah. That sounds like a great idea. I am going to leave logistics until I decide on what I want to keep/change/lose, then I’ll speak to companies and see what can be done.

Suedonim - since you suggested the ‘grand opening’, I was afraid Doodle would ask you to do the honours. 😂

crazyH

Can I cut the ribbon please , Suedonim ?

You’ll have to plead your case with Doodledog.

After my husband died i knew if i got stuck in the bath thst I was alone. I got rid of the bsth and have a large well equipped shower plus new toilet plus bidet with heated floor snd towel radiator, i got lots of storage and how i love that bathroom. I never thought of doing it until my husband died.

Perhaps consider closing off the main door and having a big walk in shower in that area, all the way across. Children's portable and dog baths work well in a big shower as well - or do in the far unused end of the big shower in our home. Don't forget grab bars.

Reverse door on the loo, open against bedroom wall, install a sliding door over the 'new opening' into main bathroom (avoiding pocket door issues).

I have stayed in several hotels with wet rooms and they seem so messy and clinical? We were hiking abroad last year and oh, how I longed for a bath to soak away my aches and pains each night but alas, there were only showers. I could never “reset” so I’d start the day with aching limbs!

When I have a bath after a lot of walking, it’s like magic, my pains disappear and I can walk easily next day. No shower / wet room would have that effect although I suppose being able sit under a shower is vaguely better.

My friend found it hard to get out of a deep bath with a shower over it so I do understand what you’re saying

Can I cut the ribbon please , Suedonim ?

I’ve had the kitchen done recently and replaced tiles with a copper splashback which I love - no grout and it just needs a wash and buff. I definitely won’t be getting tiles in a new bathroom.

We had waterproof panelling put in when we had our bathroom revamped. It's a matt marble effect. It doesn't show watermarks and there's no grout to discolour. 2 years of a quick wipe now and then and it looks as good as new.
Ease of cleaning is something else to take into account as you age.

I had the wall that separated the loo and bathroom over and got rid of the bath. I now have a large walk in shower with a rainforest shower.It wonderful and the grandchildren love going in it. . I also have aquanoard ( I think that what it called) instead of tiles / easier to clean and looks beautiful. My eldest daughter said that having no bath would limit buyers … but that won’t be my problem. I’ve future proofed it for my needs, not the needs of a future someone.

I may well do that, Sue .