Handrails for the disabled in the bathroom and toilet: folding, wall mounting, their installation

The life of people with disabilities is significantly different from that of a healthy person. When we talk about creating special conditions for disabled people, we usually mean first of all the creation of special ramps, the installation of handrails and elevators for people with disabilities.

To facilitate the use of any space, the installation of special handrails and other auxiliary devices is everywhere, they are of paramount importance in the bathroom and toilet.

The presence of handrails in sanitary warehouses is the most justified from the point of view of safety, as even an absolutely healthy person can slip on a wet floor, not to mention people with musculoskeletal problems.

Earlier, such handrails could be found only in specialized medical institutions. In the free sale of them it was difficult to find, and if some models could be obtained "by the brunt," they outwardly resembled a tool of torture. At the moment to find any handrails and fastenings for the disabled is not difficult. At the same time you have the opportunity to choose from several design solutions, depending on the style in which your bath or bathroom is made.

Safety is a key criterion for choosing handrails. It is necessary to think carefully and calculate every movement that a person with disabilities will have to do in order to perform a particular procedure.

Also, make sure that the floor in the bathroom does not get water if possible and it is not slippery - if a person with disabilities slips on the wet floor, this can lead to even more serious injuries and complications. Hang a special curtain for the bathroom, as well as use special rubber stickers or mats in the bath itself. Prefer a rough floor tile or also use a variety of bathroom mats.

In addition to handrails, the safety of water procedures will help to provide special steps for the bathroom, the board for transplantation and various seats. All these devices do not cancel, but only supplement the use of handrails.

• One of the most important points to consider when selecting handrails is the load to which they are designed. It is necessary to carefully study the technical specifications and consult the store's consultants regarding the permissible load. This takes into account the height, weight and physical abilities of the disabled person.
• The number of handrails and their installation is based on the dimensions of the room - they should not interfere with the free movement of a person. Let special devices be smaller, but they will be located in the right places. If there are not enough places in the bathroom or toilet, install special handles, corner structures or purchase a non-stationary multifunction vacuum handrail.
• If the patient suffers from arthritis, it is better to give preference to curved designs, which can reduce the load on the hands, transferring it to the forearms.
• When selecting handrails, consider how good the patient is seeing. If you are talking about an elderly person with poor eyesight, give preference to colored handrails.

Naturally, to the handrails in the bathrooms for disabled people there are special requirements for :

• First of all, this is the strength of the handrails themselves and their fasteners. It's best if you have a significant safety margin for the product, based on the largest member of your family. After all, it is possible that other members of the family will also use the handrails. The maximum permissible load of handicapped handrails is on the average 120-150 kg.
• The material for handrails should be waterproof ( usually preference is given to chrome-plated stainless steel) and durable.
• Depending on the individual characteristics of the patient, the handrails must have a definite shape ( straight or g-shaped) and stops.
• In the case of wall handrails, the is recommended to be attached to the load-bearing wall.
• Set the handrails in accordance with the growth of the patient - as a rule, horizontal handrails are placed at a height of 70-100 cm from the floor.
• Handrails should be regularly washed and disinfected .

Handrails can be sold with fasteners and without them. If the handrail is sold with fasteners,

• self-tapping screws are usually supplied with it;
• dowels;
• magnets for fixing the handrail;
• screws;
• anchors;
• brackets;
• hinges;
• crossings;
• flanges;
• stubs, etc.

Special devices for people with disabilities in bathrooms are sliding, stationary and folding.

The most common types of holders and handrails:

• Wall angled in order to easier to climb and descend into the bath.
• For a radial or straight sink - for the support of people with disabilities while washing their hands.
• Reclining , in the form of a turnstile with special handholds.
• Wall mounted stationary - facilitate the process of moving around the room
• Portable , with a vacuum attachment system.

• First measure the dimensions of the room and calculate how many handrails, what length and diameter, are needed to make it convenient for the patient to perform any actions and move freely around the room.
• Think about mounting locations - on walls, on the floor or on the ceiling, it will be more convenient to fasten these or other designs.
• Before you start fastening the handrails in their places, make a markup and estimate approximately how they will all be located: so you can be sure that they are located safely and do not constrain movements and do not interfere with movement around the room.
• Make holes for the fasteners of the corresponding diameter and depth.
• Insert the plug in the hole.
• Attach the handrail flanges and secure it firmly with the fastening element from the kit.
• Place the plug on top.

There is also a special kind of handrail that is attached to the wall using vacuum suckers. In this case, the color indicator on the bracket shows how tightly the handrail is attached to the wall. However, remember that such plastic brackets withstand a load of not more than 50 kg, and, accordingly, can not assume the weight of an adult. They should be used with caution.

As mentioned above, most handrails are made of stainless chromed steel. Such material has a number of advantages: it is durable, does not deform during operation, moisture resistant and often is coated with a special antibacterial nylon.

Handrails can be made of hygienic plastic or even wood. The surface of the handrails can be as smooth or rippled. However, please note that the latter is not suitable for people with sensitive skin.

The process of installing special holders in the toilet is not too different from setting up handicapped handrails in the bathroom. In the toilet, handrails are used primarily to make it easier for the patient to sit down and climb from the toilet, and can be placed around the perimeter of the room, making it easier to walk.

However, in the toilet can also be used folding handrails for the toilet, which recline 90 degrees.

In addition to the handrails, other additional structures for disabled persons can be used in the bathroom.

• Special highchairs and bath seats allow you to take water treatments sitting in the shower and in the bathroom, which reduces the burden on your legs.
• There are special baths , originally equipped with a seat and a sealed door with handles.
• Sinks for disabled have the following modifications: they can adjust the angle or the height of the slope, which can be changed at their discretion, and they can have a horizontal connection of the siphon with a drain, which makes it possible to come close to the sink in a wheelchair.
• In Europe, special toilet bowls with folding armrests have long since spread to the public, which are mandatory for all public facilities. In Russia they are still rare.
• For those who can not move independently, special suspension trapezium and special lifts have been developed.