Universal Design Specialists

1. Universal Design Specialists Universal Design Specialists http://www.universaldesignspecialists.com/ http://www.universaldesignspecialists.com/

2. Walk in Tubs – For the Safety of Elderly and Disabled People Walk in tubs offer the best solution for seniors and handicapped people. These accessible tubs offer safety, security and of course comfort for the people with limited mobility. They are designed in such way that they offer complete safety and convenience as a result of their in-swing or out-swing doors and low curb entry. When users opt for a handicap bathtub they reduce the possibility of falling or slipping as a result of the barrier free access and safety considerations built into each walk in bathtub. These specialized units assure a much higher safety level for older users with reduced strength and mobility. One of the main reasons to install walkin tubs in a bathroom is to prevent the accidents so often prevalent as one ages. • Why to opt for Walk in Tubs? • Regardless of age, ability or disability, it is important to focus on the safety measures in your bathroom as bathrooms are responsible for the majority of accidents in all homes. People suffering from limited mobility may really find walk in tubs to be an enormous help with bathing. The wide range of handicap tubs available today typically include built in grab bars and a non-slip floor for added stability. They are available with either an in-swing or out-swing door and one particular manufacturer even offers a very unique sliding door. Most handicap bathtubs include wheelchair height seats that allow for easier transfer in and out of the bathing zone and avoid the need to try and stand up from the low position typically with standard bathtubs. • Cont.

3. Improve Your Bathroom with Secure and Comfortable Handicap Showers Enjoying a hot shower in the morning or later in the evening before going to bed can rejuvenate one and can be highly relaxing for mind, body and spirit. But imagine being unable to take a shower because of some disability and having to depend on others for this simple task. Many of us can’t ever consider being so dependent on others that we could not bathe ourselves. Nevertheless, there are many elderly or disabled people who have to rely on others for taking a shower regardless of if they like it or not. Having handicap showers installed in their homes would help make them independent and when recuperating do so with safety, confidence and dignity. Designed specifically for people like them these barrier free showers are fabricated with exclusive safety features and incorporate special seats for easy transfer and sitting while showering, curb free access which effectively eliminates the need to step over a potential obstacle entering or leaving the bathing zone and handicap grab bars for added support when needed Cont.

4. For a user with limited reach or mobility, the simple act of opening or closing a door may not be possible and one may not always have assistance from others to do so. It is also not desirable to always have to depend on others for this assistance. For this reason automatic door openers can offer a viable solution in assisting with this daily task. An automatic door opener is easily installed and requires minimal annual maintenance and years of reliable performance assuming one purchases a quality unit. A handicap door opener offers unrestricted entry and exit from both residential and commercial establishments by way of a simple wall mounted or hand held push button or remote control. These controls send a signal to handicap door openers to open the door and once the unit times out the door will close. Taking a shower may prove a real challenge to anyone with restricted mobility. Fortunately the industry has responded and this is no longer an issue. Walk in showersand handicapped showersoffer a variety of features to meet the requirements of disabled and senior users. Some suppliers offer a roll in shower without a curb that permits wheelchair access as well as a no-step entry. In commercial applications an ADA shower is required which includes min clearances for disabled users. In all cases a handicapped shower provides a number of advantages which include safe entry and exit, an accessible seat, grab bars and a non slip surface some of which are not always available with standard showers. Walk in tubs and walk in showers provide the ultimate safety choice when bathing in any bathroom and help prevent dangerous and often life threatening falls. =========================

5. Bariatric Bathing Options Best Bath Systems in Idaho offers some unique bathing choices for bariatric users who often struggle to find large enough options to accommodate their bathing needs. For walk in tubs that can be designed by a bathroom designer into almost any large enough handicap bathroom or universal design project they developed the Big E appropriately named after Emmette Luter of Mississippi, a dealer who sells more accessible handicap bathtubs to large users than any of their other dealers. Substantially bigger than most other walkin tubs it includes the following features: The Big E model XTW6035 is 45% wider than a standard walkin tub and includes their largest door with a 24” clear walk through space. It is made of a luxurious fiberglass Gelcoat surface and secured to a welded steel base for added strength. A molded three-sided skirt makes this handicap bathtub impervious to twisting and warping and includes a limited lifetime warranty. While most competitors only offer a lifetime warranty on their door seals, Best Bath’s warranty covers the entire walk in tub. Another unique aspect of this bathing unit is their patented moveable hinged seat that provides a recessed stepping area with a hinged seat plate creating an alcove for more space in their walk in bathtub when entering or leaving. Jetted models include a Syllent pump, the quietest pump on the market which includes a 10 year factory warranty. It is designed with a heat recycling feature that maintains water temperature and eliminates the need for an expensive in-line heater and additional wiring. Cont.

6. Also known as a walk in showers or wheelchair accessible shower, they are often larger than the conventional showers so as to accommodate people dependent on wheelchairs. Due to the lack of any curb on entering they permit a user who is dependent on a wheelchair or walker to roll into the shower and either transfer to a seat installed in the shower or bathe using a waterproof chair. These ada shower stalls typically include special features such as anti-scald faucets, lever type hand controls to allow people with dexterity issues to operate them with more ease and hand held shower heads with longer hoses to facilitate bathing in a seated position. It is a combination of these features that have made walk in showers safer and more secure when compared to the conventional units. As we age or become less mobile a fear of accessing a conventional step over bathtub often becomes an issue. Many falls occur each year in the bathroom as a result of difficulty in making what was once a simple transition yet many people still enjoy the pleasure of submerging in warm water when bathing. Walk in bath tubs are designed for this purpose as they reduce the typically high step over necessary to something more manageable and safer for most users so that one can simply walk in or out without difficulty or risk of injury as long as they are able to step over a low curb. These handicap tubs include a fixed seat at a comfortable height and watertight door, either out-swing or in-swing depending on the specific need. The step over ranges between 4-7 inches depending on the model selected which is substantially less than the typical 14-23 inch step required for a conventional model. There is an assortment of options available including water and or air jets, neck rest pillow, aromatherapy, Chromatherapy and a heated seat With these innovative walk in tubs and showers, the user can comfortably sit at a height that makes it easy to get up and leave the bathing zone without the need to raise their entire body from a lowered reclining position typically with standard tubs. Make the bathing experience, manageable, comfortable and safe with quality handicap showers or walk in bathtubs in your home.

7. Preventing Senior Falls According to AARP nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their homes as they age which is no surprise. Since 2011 and for the next 20 years, around 10,000 seniors will turn 65 every single day of the year. In fact by 2030 our senior population is expected to reach 72 million which will represent 1 in 5 Americans. The most substantial risk and threat to living independently at home are falls. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related visits to the emergency room in the U.S. and represent the cause of 75% of the accidental deaths in people over 65. Falls also resulted in 85% of the non fatal hospital injuries for people 65 and over. Fortunately there is a lot of that can be done to make homes safer for seniors in preventing falls and handicap bathroom design has become a major consideration for seniors living with disabilities. This aspect is often also considered with sustainable home design. Beginning on the outside of the home safe entry into and out of the home is tantamount. If stairs are present and the senior is able to negotiate them without issue, hand rails can be installed to match the homes décor that offer added stability. When stairs are a challenge, stair chair lifts, platforms lifts and elevators are all options limited only by individual budget. Automatic door openers also known as handicap door openers are a wonderful option for both interior and exterior doors. When a pool is present in the home an ada pool lift can make all the difference in safely entering and leaving the pool. Cont.

8. Other unique features of the Big E walk walk in bathtubs include a second drain for faster water draining, a heated seat with a 30 minute timer for added comfort during fill and drain times and an optional ozone sanitation system to eliminate any possibility of bacteria build up. This model can be designed as a walk in tub shower should the need be for both bathing functions in one model. It also includes a bathtub grab bar for added support while entering or leaving the bathing zone area. For more info see http://www.universaldesignspecialists.com/walk-in-tubs/best-bath/best-bath-big-e-walk-in-tub-60-x35-x40-soaker.html

9. Bathrooms are singularly responsible for more accidents than any other place in the home and as a result walk in tubs & showers have become very popular. A walk in shower also known as handicap showers (with no curb) allow for access without needing to step over something. There are also wheelchair accessible showers that allow access in a wheelchair or with a walker. Walk in bathtubs and handicap tubs allow safe access while stepping over a low curb through en entry door. Regardless of the selection of barrier free showers or walkin shower they all provide more safe access than standard units and help to avoid dangerous falls. There are many types of bathroom safety bars. In the bathing zone, bathtub grab bars offer added support in hundreds of colors and finishes to match your personal décor. The same goes for other handicap grab bars in other locations. Toilet safety rails that fold up and out of the way when not in use add tremendous safety value around the toilet area. Many choices of bathroom safety bars are also available such as the Superpole for support in getting up or in and out of your ada shower stall. Comfort height toilets which are higher than standard toilets installed with color coordinated toilet grab bars offer safe use in the toilet area. A qualified bathroom designer can include all the necessary items in your bathroom design, rendering it both safe and attractive for years to come. In the kitchen area and even in small kitchen designs there are some fantastic choices for safe access. When reach is an issue, adjustable height kitchen cabinets are an option. If sitting is necessary while cooking a height adjustable sink and adjustable height cooktop are all options. Here again an experienced certified kitchen designer can assist you with all the options available today.