As we age, maintaining independence in our homes becomes increasingly important. Simple tasks, such as stepping into a bathtub or gripping faucet handles, can become challenging. Fortunately, remodeling your bathroom with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance in mind can make a significant difference, ensuring safety and comfort as you age in place.
Can I update my bathroom to allow me to stay in my home as I get older?
You can have a remodel of the areas of your home, such as a bath or kitchen, with oftentimes minor changes to allow you to Age In Place and remain in your home. Or you can make more major changes for a fully compliant ADA bathroom.
Simple changes might be in the faucet, toilet, or grab bars. While more major changes might include a roll-in shower. In this article, we will explore essential features of an ADA-compliant bathroom, including design dimensions, fixtures, and layouts.
Celebrate your independence every day, with full-access ADA Bathroom solutions for those who need a little more assistance.
Benefits of an ADA Compliant Bathroom
An ADA compliant bathroom enhances safety and independence, enabling homeowners to remain in their homes comfortably as they age. Here are some advantages of upgrading your bathroom:
- Increased Safety: The installation of grab bars, low-threshold showers, and non-slip flooring reduces the risk of falls.
- Enhanced Comfort: Accessible fixtures and thoughtful layouts make daily routines easier and more enjoyable.
- Long-Term Planning: Preparing your home for aging in place means you can stay in your familiar surroundings longer, even if mobility needs change.
What is an ADA compliant bathroom?
The ADA, or The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, covers many facets including equal access for Americans with disabilities and providing Design Standards for Accessibility. These standards ensure those who have a disability or require assistance will have appropriate access to buildings and facilities. While the standards include public restrooms, many of the features apply to residential bathrooms as well.
ADA BATHROOM REQUIREMENTS
- You have the appropriate turn radius to fit a wheelchair or walker into your bath and move around the room.
- The door opening is wide enough for a wheelchair or walker to get into your bathroom.
- Faucets are easy to use without requiring much grip strength (the force required to use the faucet handle).
- There is shower accessibility for wheelchair accessibility or a transfer (ie: shower seat).
- There are grab bars available within the bathroom.
- There is room for a wheelchair to access the sink.
What is Aging In Place?
Aging in Place is being able to grow old at home. It includes everything from minor changes to major remodels to be able to remain at home as long as possible safely and comfortably.
Aging in Place also encompasses planning for the long term with your remodel for when more assistance might be required.
Preparing your home to Age In Place can include:
- Preparing for the installation of grab bars in the bathroom in the future.
- Replacing a bath with a low threshold shower
- Upgrading faucets that are easier to use without requiring much grip strength (the force required to use the faucet handle)
- Adding in a decorative shower seat
GET STARTED WITH YOUR AGING-IN-PLACE OR ADA BATHROOM DESIGN
How to Make Your Bathroom ADA Compliant
1. Install Low Threshold or Ramped Showers
An ADA-compliant bathroom is not complete without low-threshold or ramped showers for a more convenient entry and exit. We have brands like Onyx Collection which lets you have the option to add either a low-profile shower base or a completely curb-less entrance for your shower space. Making your bathroom ADA compliant doesn’t always need a full-blown renovation. You can start by converting your existing bath to a low threshold shower or a ramped shower.
Easy to step over
You don’t have to worry about stepping over high threshold entry anymore. At Capitol, we sell showers with low curb heights so you can conveniently enter and exit everytime you shower.
Curb-less entrance
For showers, the most accessible option is a roll-in shower. This is a shower stall that has a curb-less entrance and the door (or opening) is a minimum of 36 inches wide.
You may also opt to install ramped showers which are wheelchair-accessible so any wheelchair can easily be pushed into or pulled out of the shower space. This design also allows plenty of room for the bather to maneuver.
Customizable sizes
Shower bases like Onyx Collection come in standard and customized sizes. Customizable shower bases from Onyx Collection can accommodate any shower or bathroom configuration, giving you more freedom in designing your bath.
We acknowledge that each individual has very specific needs when taking a shower. If the standard sizes don’t match your space and bathing requirements, then the customized ones are always available.
2. Install ADA Toilets and ADA Faucets
ADA toilets feature:
- Chair-height seating for ease of seating and standing, and also for a more gracious accessibility.
- Elongated bowl for extra room and comfort.
ADA faucets can have:
- Lever handle faucets that don’t require grip strength in order to be used.
- Touchless faucets that don’t need any physical contact/grip strength at all. A good option if you want a mess-free faucet.
Kohler’s Touchless faucet with Insight™ technology, DC-powered (Image source: Kohler)
Kohler’s Comfort Height® Toilet (Image source: Kohler)
3. Add Removable and Adjustable Shower Heads
You may also want to consider a removable or adjustable shower head, so you can move it around and wash more easily.
These shower heads have a hose that hooks into where the shower head would normally be, with the actual spray and adjustments are on the other end.
Benefits:
- Can be moved around to where you need it and change the spray type and strength
- Easier to wash and get clean while still being comfortable and safe.
- Easier to replace at a later date if necessary.
- Generally an inexpensive option, so it can be done on a budget as you work to remodel your space.
4. Place Safety Grab Bars
These humble decoratives grab bars might just save you from a nasty fall on your wet, slippery shower floor. If you plan to age in place, this simple bathroom accessory can keep your future ease of living and safety in place.
ADA bathroom grab bars have standard options in 16”, 24, 36”, & 48”. They come in an assortment of styles and finishes to match any bathroom interior.
A helpful tip: include backer boards when installing a new bath or bathroom accessory. And if you want to prepare your shower for future installation.
5. Opt for a Walk-in Tub
Stepping in and out of the bathtub isn’t an issue for most younger people, but it may be riskier as you age. Lifting your foot up and over the tub edge, and the balance required to do that can become difficult in later years.
For a standard tub, there are several things you can do to make it safer for an elderly person. Installing grab bars, shower seats and applying an anti-slip coating to the tub floor are three reasonably priced options.
Or you may just purchase a one-piece Walk-in Tub equipped with all the safety features and ADA requirements you may want for your bath. Our Walk-in Tubs come in various hydrotherapy packages and accessible designs (i.e. WCA, knee cut out, extra-low step-in) to accommodate all types of users.
6. Choose ADA Compliant Bathroom Sink and Vanity
An ADA-compliant bathroom has to be accessible to everyone, and that includes choosing easy-to-reach and easy-to-use vanities and sinks.
In general, a bathroom vanity or a wall-hung sink should have a knee clearance below of 27 inches high and be at a minimum of 30 inches wide by 11-25 inches deep to be considered ADA compliant.
KOHLER SOHO WALL-MOUNT
When your lavatory needs to handle high-volume traffic, premium KOHLER materials are more important than ever. Crafted of vitreous china, your Soho wall-mount lavatory will provide a lifetime of beauty thanks to our exclusive KOHLER glaze. This remarkably hard, glossy finish protects the surface for a clean, sanitary sink that maintains its polished shine through years of busy use.
HINKLEY LIGHTING BATH REMI
Remi’s slim profile and sophisticated details seamlessly merge with LED technology to master both form and function. The etched white glass cylinder is finely detailed with precise, stepped end caps, and the cast knurled bracelet in luxe finish options is artfully crafted with vintage appeal. This chic, transitional design ensures Remi’s ability to complement a wide variety of bath or interior spaces.
KOHLER IRON/IMPRESSIONS® 25'' VANITY-TOP
With its graceful curves, the Iron/Impressions sink adds elegance to the bathroom. The square countertop flows seamlessly into a round basin, creating a sophisticated design element that coordinates with 24-inch vanities. Enameled cast iron construction makes it durable and easy to clean.
GET STARTED WITH YOUR AGING-IN-PLACE OR ADA BATHROOM DESIGN
Transforming your bathroom to be ADA compliant can significantly enhance your quality of life as you age. At Capitol Kitchens and Baths, we specialize in creating accessible bathroom solutions tailored to your needs. Schedule a free design appointment today to explore how we can help you design a beautiful and functional ADA compliant bathroom that allows you to celebrate your independence every day.
Meet a professional bathroom designer
- Request an in-person or virtual design consultation.
- Communicate your particular needs and wants for the bathroom remodel.
- Describe your current bathroom situation (including the current bathroom configuration, and plumbing and electrical conditions).
