It is hard at the best of times when we see a loved one struggling with mobility, or finding it difficult to carry out everyday tasks such as climbing stairs for the fear of taking a fall and injuring themselves. When that fear is one of slipping and falling in a bathroom, it multiplies ten-fold; this is where an accessible bathroom comes in. Helena from South Oxfordshire is a great example of someone who has benefited from a level access shower from Absolute Mobility, an Oxfordshire-based accessible bath specialist.
Accessible bathrooms carry many advantages for those who have limited mobility; level access showers and wet rooms provide accessibility for those in a wheelchair or those who cannot be lifted or hoisted into a bath. Walk-in baths are ideal for those who have some mobility and can be lowered into a bath without too much difficulty.
Helena required the installation of a level access bathroom following her children’s increasing concern for her mobility. Her son, Robin, explains: “Our mother had been living on her own for a number of years without too many problems. However, as she got older, we were getting more concerned with the occasional fall and being able to cope with staircases.”
Having been in the building trade for a number of years, Robin knew exactly what he wanted the bathroom to contain. “After carefully considering stairlifts, we decided to settle for an accessible, downstairs bathroom,” he said. “We liaised with a builder in the area and found that they were recommending a full wet-room, with ceramic tiles to the floor and walls, which was not what we needed. I wanted the shower room for my mother to have a sprung floor that would be sufficiently shock-absorbent to avoid injuries such as fractures if she were to have a fall.”
The family turned to Henley-based Absolute Mobility after failing to find builders who could build an accessible bathroom that would meet their requirements. “We decided to work with Absolute Mobility because of their professional, personalised approach to designing and creating accessible bathrooms,” Robin continued. “From us speaking to them about our requirements, to the design and fitting, Darren, Ross, James and the team at Absolute Mobility were exceptional. There was no sales pitch from James at our initial consultation; he simply explained what they could do for us and, more importantly, paid heed to our requirements and worked with us in order to create the perfect bathroom for our mother, including the sprung floor we wanted.”
The bathroom, from conception to completion, took approximately six weeks; fast, even by industry standards. Having installed a shock-proof floor and a non-power shower with a pumped drain in the wet room, Helena’s family’s dream of keeping their mother independent in her own home have now been realised.
Helena can remain self-sufficient without the fear of falling and hurting herself going up and down the stairs. Robin said: “Our main concern was how our mother would be able to stay in her home. She made it clear that this was what she wanted, and further expressed her wish to avoid installing a stairlift. With this downstairs bathroom from Absolute Mobility, she can have her independence and freedom in the comfort of her own home, without compromising on her mobility. It has also made it far easier for us and her carers to look after her, giving us, and her, the peace of mind we all needed.”
Darren O’Connell, a Director at Absolute Mobility, said: “We are delighted that Helena and her family are pleased with their bathroom. Here at Absolute Mobility, we strive to work with our customers to produce bathrooms to exacting requirements; this is part and parcel of our personalised service.
“We always recommend designing a bathroom with current and future needs in mind and understand that each individual requires a different approach to care. We are here to ensure those needs are met to the best of our ability. Absolute Mobility wishes Helena and her family all the best for the future!”
For more information about Absolute Mobility contact us today.