When we were going to remodel our bathroom to make it more accessible for me in my scooter and with minimal use of my legs and right hand, everywhere I went—hospitals, clinics, coffee shops, stores—I checked out bathrooms, the entry, lay out, clearances, where grab bars were located, etc. Believe it or not, I found my perfect bathroom at local Bookstore; their unisex bathroom was so easy for me to use that I took measurements of everything and applied them to my remodeling plans. It worked out great and today I have a beautiful bathroom that is not only perfect for me but also very functional for others in my family.
Whether you plan to remodel or not, here are a few things to help make your bathroom more accessible.
• Raise the toilet seat. If you cannot afford to replace the toilet with a new one that sits higher off the floor, purchase an inexpensive portable seat that will fit over your current one to raise the seat 4-6 inches. You will find these and other helpful items at drug or home health stores.
• Add grab bars in convenient locations. Only you know the proper height and angle that is right for you; make sure grab bars are installed where they give you the help you need. When installing permanent grab bars, be sure to install securely into the studs or a reinforced wall.
• Create an open layout that allows you to enter, move, and turn around easier. A pedestal sink or open cabinet design helps you get closer to the sink; easy-glide drawers and drawer organizers keep everything at your fingertips.
• Consider changing your bathroom faucet. Kitchen faucets tend to be longer, reaching further over the sink, and easier to turn on and off with one hand than typical bathroom faucets.
• Keep everything you use regularly within easy reach. I have a collection of clear containers on my bathroom counter that hold cotton balls and other morning necessities, a teaspoon in my toothbrush holder, a magnet inside my medicine cabinet to hold my fingernail file, hooks under the sink for my washcloth and hand towel, and my underwear in a drawer so it’s handy when I get out of the shower.
• Create a barrier-free shower or bathing area. Remove any steps or external lips so you can move easily into or out of the bathing area; tile floors slanted toward a flush, in-floor drain and a floor length shower curtain will keep water inside. Add a shower seat, even a webbed or plastic lawn chair will do, so you can sit while showering, and consider exchanging your fixed shower head with an adjustable bar or inexpensive hand held model.
• If you have trouble wiping your backside, you might install a bidet device that easily connects to a standard toilet, providing hand control of the direction and flow of the rinse water.
Want to see my bathroom and learn more tips? Watch Everyday Tips When Living with PPMS: Your Bathroom and Grooming

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