Project Overview
- Client: SW
- Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Project Type: Wetroom renovation with specialized accessibility features to support severe mobility challenges
- Timeline: 8 weeks
- Team: Accessibility Designer, Occupational Therapist, Contractor, Plumber, Electrician
- Goal: To create a fully accessible, functional, and safe bathroom that accommodates a wall-mounted stretcher, wash dry toilet, and a wetroom for SW, who has limited mobility due to a neurological condition.
Background
SW, a 48-year-old woman, suffers from a progressive neurological condition that has left her with limited mobility, making routine bathroom tasks a challenge. Her existing bathroom was outdated and lacked the necessary accessibility features to support her needs. She required a bathroom that could safely support both self-care and assisted care routines.
SW’s primary requirements included:
- Safe transfers into and out of the shower
- Ability to use the toilet with minimal or no assistance
- Space for caregivers to help with transfers and personal hygiene tasks
- A wetroom layout that would allow SW to be bathed or showered without the need for a traditional bath, as she is unable to step into a shower.
The family wanted the space to feel both functional and comfortable—a bathroom that supports SW’s needs without resembling a hospital room.
Needs Assessment
An assessment was made in collaboration with an occupational therapist (OT) and SW’s support staff. The key points identified for this bathroom design were:
- Barrier-free showering: SW needs an open, accessible shower space without any barriers to entry.
- Wall-mounted stretcher: SW requires a stretcher for assisted transfers to ensure comfort and safety.
- Wash dry toilet: To support her with wash dry and self-cleaning features, eliminating the need for assistance.
- Space for support staff: Enough room for support staff to assist SW without feeling cramped or hindered by space limitations.
- Aesthetic appeal: The family requested a design that felt homelike and comfortable, avoiding medical or institutional aesthetics.
Design Process
- Layout & Floor Plan
- The design included a wetroom layout that seamlessly combined a level access shower with adjustable showerheads and space for the wall-mounted stretcher.
- Wider doorways were incorporated, including a 900mm entry door to accommodate wheelchair access.
- The layout was designed for optimal support staff movement, ensuring the staff could assist without being obstructed by fixtures or tight corners.
- Specialized Features
- Wall-Mounted Stretcher: Installed a height adjustable wall-mounted stretcher. This allows SW to be moved onto the stretcher either for bathing or transfers, and then stowed out of the way when not in use. The stretcher is height-adjustable, so it can be positioned at the right height for transfers.
- Wash dry Toilet: The design included an automatic toilet with hands-free flushing, heated seat, wash and dry functions, and an integrated self-cleaning system. This provided SW with increased autonomy and hygiene.
- Wetroom Area: The bathroom was fully transformed into a wetroom, walk-in shower that allows easy access for both SW and her staff. The floor was sloped towards a gully drain to ensure proper water drainage.
- Grab Rails: Strategically placed around the toilet, wetroom, and sink for additional safety and support during transfers.
- Non-Slip Altro Flooring: Durable, textured non-slip Altro flooring were installed throughout the room to prevent falls and ensure safety.
- Aesthetic Design
- The design retained the warmth and feel of a spa-like bathroom.
- The family wanted the bathroom to blend into the home’s modern aesthetic, so the final design focused on clean lines, neutral colours, and elegant finishes to make the space look more like a luxurious wetroom than a medical facility.
Installation Phase
- Demolition: The existing bathroom was completely gutted, including the old fixtures, bathtub, and units. Necessary plumbing and structural reinforcements were made to accommodate the new features.
- Structural Work: Reinforcement for the wall-mounted stretcher, reinforcing the walls for safety and stability. Modified the floor to create a seamless wetroom with proper drainage.
- Plumbing & Electrical Work: Updated plumbing for the wash dry toilet and wetroom shower area. Electrical work was done to support features like lighting, underfloor heating, and electrical adjustments for the wall-mounted stretcher.
- Final Installations: The wash dry toilet was installed, along with the wall-mounted stretcher and adjustable shower system. Grab rails, lighting, and the final finishes were applied.
Outcome
The finished bathroom was not only accessible but also elegant and comfortable, meeting SW’s needs while seamlessly blending into the home’s aesthetic. Key features included:
- Level Access shower and adjustable showerheads, providing easy access for both SW and her support staff.
- Wall-mounted stretcher that ensures safe and comfortable transfers into the wetroom.
- Wash dry toilet with bidet functionality, automatic flushing, heated seat, and self-cleaning features, promoting autonomy and hygiene.
- Non-slip Altro flooring and strategically placed grab rails to maximize safety and mobility.
- Modern and luxurious design, with materials that create a spa-like environment that does not feel institutional.
Before and After
Before:
- Traditional bathtub with limited access
- Narrow door and cramped layout
- No specialized features for assisted transfers or mobility challenges
After:
- Fully accessible wetroom with a walk-in shower
- Wall-mounted stretcher for easy transfers
- Wash dry toilet for hands-free, hygienic use
- Spacious, safe, and elegant design that blends with the home’s aesthetic
Client Feedback
“The transformation of our bathroom is nothing short of life-changing. The wall-mounted stretcher has made bath time so much safer and easier, and the wash dry toilet has given SW the dignity of independence. We can’t believe how well it all fits into our home’s design—it’s like a luxury wetroom, not a medical facility.”
Conclusion
This case study demonstrates how cutting-edge accessibility features like wall-mounted stretchers, wash dry toilets, and wetrooms can be seamlessly integrated into a residential setting. By focusing on both functionality and aesthetics, SW was able to regain a sense of independence, while her family provided her with a safe and comfortable space to navigate her daily routines. The collaboration between healthcare professionals, designers, and the family ensured that the bathroom met all of SW’s needs while also enhancing the overall design of their home.