Help for handicapped

Press, 21 September 1978, Page 11

Help for handicapped

A minimum of planning can make . things much easier for a disabled peri son and the rest of the family.. For instance, most handicapped people find that a Shower is easier to use than a bath, and care should be taken to ensure that there is a comfortable seat in the cubicle and that the water controls are low enough to be turned from a sitting position. If you are putting in a new bath, remember that, drainage permitting, it can be set down in the floor or built up with steps for easier access. A non-slip interior finish is more practical and it is a simple matter to attach handrails to the wall and

maybe a rope pull from the ceiling. It is worth considering the wide range of taps on the market, including those with the control that can be operated by the hand, wrist or arm. Thermostatic temperature control is a first-class idea or the dual hot and cold faucet. Electronically - operated taps are available in Europe and could possibly be imported for special cases in New Zealand. By placing the hands in the basin the bather activates the taps which have been set to a pre-determined temperature, by breaking the beam of light projecting from one side of the basin to the other. A handbasin is preferable to a vanity unit so

that those in wheel chairs can roll up to the basin and are not obstructed by cupboards or shelving below it. Most handicapped persons have difficulty reaching to wipe steam off mirrors, and these can easily be kept clear by strip heating or lighting and the use of an air-ventilation unit. Plumbers’ merchants will probably have the latest information on aids specially designed for handicapped people and a member of the Master Plumbers’ Association will be able to give practical advice on the most economical ways of adapting bathrooms to suit the needs of those who are physically disabled.