What Are The Pros And Cons Of An Easy Access Shower?

As we age, our mobility often declines and staying safe in the home, particularly in the bathroom, becomes more precarious. 

In the UK, residential care costs are increasing year on year, with some self-funded options costing over £1,200 per week and more for nursing homes or specialist care. The financial incentive to stay in your own home has never been greater. 

However, adaptations may be needed to make independent living in your home both easier and safer. 

Adapting your bathroom is one way to enable you to stay in your home and save money. We look at the pros and cons of one type of bathing adaptation – an easy access shower.

 

What Is An Easy Access Shower?

An easy-access shower is an adapted walk-in shower enclosure designed as a replacement for a bath. It is not simply a shower cubicle with grab handles.

A properly adapted access shower would usually have a very low step into an anti-slip tray, a flipper panel to contain water and in-shower seating. 

 

What Are The Pros Of An Easy Access Shower?

It has many features that make it safer and more accessible than a normal shower enclosure, for example, the anti-slip surface in the shower tray. Here are a few more pros:

• The walk-in design means no need to step over the side of the bath making it easier to use for those with balance or hip mobility issues.  
• Some come with a flipper panel or splash guard to prevent water from spilling onto the bathroom floor and potentially causing accidents. 
• A thermostatic valve keeps the temperature constant to prevent scalding.
• Showerheads can be adjusted and water directed to where you need it. 
• They come with a luxurious amount of space, far bigger than a standard shower enclosure. The size means that if any additional assistance is needed with bathing, there is space to move around.
• If you aren’t able to stand for long periods or are worried about falling, there is a sturdy seat built in to allow you to sit while washing. 
• Aesthetically, it is spacious and has clean modern lines. It looks more like a standard shower enclosure, rather than an adapted bathroom fitting.

 

What Are The Cons Of An Easy Access Shower?

Here are a few of the downsides of installing an easy-access shower:

• You might miss out on your bubble baths. Due to the size of the adapted shower enclosure, there might not be space for both a bath and a shower. 
• Adapting the shower may mean refitting the whole bathroom.
• A walk-in shower design can cause additional moisture in the bathroom, where a shower door would contain much of the steam. Installing an extractor fan or opening windows may be a necessity to prevent a damp or mould problem.
• You will need to waterproof the walls and floor around the shower area to ensure they can handle the extra water.

 

Should You Adapt Your Bathroom With An Easy Access Shower?

If you are seriously considering adapting and staying in your home, then there are many more pros than cons for installing an easy-access shower.

Personal preference should certainly be taken into account when making a decision. If you always prefer to take a bath, then this adaptation is not for you.  

However, if you want an option that looks good and provides an increased level of safety when showering, then installing an easy-access shower might be right for you.

To help you make the decision, call our advisors who can share their knowledge and make recommendations based on years of disability bathroom installation experience.