Products from the Kitchen and Bath Show

Last week Great Grabz unveiled their new line of Signature Acrylic grab bars.  These acrylic bars are available in 20 finishes and are paired with metallic fixtures for a look that really pops.

http://www.greatgrabz.com/

Here are some other great products we saw at the show:

Pulse Shower Spas

www.pulseshowerspas.com

These shower spas are available in a variety of styles and finishes. They are affordable and easy to install.

Jason International

Their new MicroSilk Hydrotherapy is a revolutionary patent-pending process where billions of microbubbles penetrate pores providing a deeper clean while moisturizing the skin.

CLICK HERE for their informational video

or visit them at http://www.jasoninternational.com/.

Aptations

http://www.aptations.com/

These LED magnifying mirrors are the perfect accessible mirror for any bathroom.

Don't be a Fool

"The wise do at once what the FOOL does at last." - Baltasar Gracian

Pop Quiz: #1 When is the proper time to install a grab bar?

A- Before a fall in the bathroom

B- After a fall in the bathroom

Correct Answer: A

Unfortunately for many, grab bars are usually thought of only AFTER a fall has occurred. There are so many times I receive a phone call from someone who is looking for a grab bar because they have ALREADY fallen in the shower OR they are recovering from an injury that has resulted from a fall and need a grab bar to keep them steady.

While a grab bar is a great thing to add for both of those situations, wouldn't it be a better idea to install one as a preventative measure? The trouble is, most people do not think about the impact a fall can have on their lives.

Pop Quiz: #2 Soap + Water + Tile =

A. A safe and secure area to bathe

B. A slippery surface in which a fall can occur

Correct Answer: B

Let's face it; the shower/bathtub is a slippery place that can be a potential hazard. What IF you fell in the shower and injured yourself? How would this affect your life?

I am a healthy 30 year old woman currently training for my 2nd half marathon by working out 6 days a week. I have 2 dogs that I walk 2 times a day. I live on the 3 floor of my condo that does not have an elevator. I also drive a manual transmission car that requires both my legs and arms to operate.

A fall in the bathroom for me would critically change my daily routine and quality of life. I simply cannot afford the limitations that a sprained or broken bone would cause. My decorative 24” Wave grab bar is perfect for me; it provides just enough support to keep me steady while in the shower and its decorative style looks great in my bathroom.

I challenge everyone, to think about your day-to-day routine. How could a fall affect these activities? Beyond medical bills, have you considered the costs involved?

Guest Blogger Ashley Armstrong is the National Sales Manager for Great Grabz- www.GreatGrabz.com

Spring Cleaning - How to get rid of Sentimental Items

Yesterday was the first day of spring. For many this is the time for Spring Cleaning.

De-cluttering your space not only keeps your home safer and more organized, but it also allows room to bring good energy into your home.

I look forward to a good spring cleaning every year. Going through my home and tossing out what I no longer use, is not a problem for me. I live by the “one year rule” of tossing out any items I haven’t used or worn in a year. There is something very liberating about rummaging through old magazines, books, junk drawers, closets and pantries to get rid of items I no longer use.

The only items I do have a problem with parting with, are the sentimental ones. So many times we feel obligated to hold on to items we don’t use or even like in some cases, because we have placed a sentimental value on them.

• Your teenagers 4th grade art project

• A gift from your neighbor

 • Items from a deceased loved one

• Nik naks that have accumulated over time

• Souvenirs purchased on vacations

I’ve scoured the web and found 5 great tips to help you get rid of sentimental items:

1- Take a picture – This idea, from Making this Home, is to take a picture of the item you love so that you can have the memory of it, without actually having the item in your home.

2. Keep only what nourishes your soul- In this month’s issue of Whole Living Magazine, they suggest asking yourself “does this sentiment nourish your spirit?” If it does, then keep it otherwise free up the space for new energy to arrive.
Read more at Wholeliving.com: Embracing the Art of Decluttering

3. Understand the Sentimental Mind- This is a great blog post that offers 2 new mentalities to adopt to help get rid of items you no longer need or use. #1 Trust in Yourself and #2 Things want to be Used.

4. Only hold on to a few things- In this blog, Rachel suggests that keeping only a few items is what makes them more sentimental. She also offers specific advice for items people tend keep.

5. Keep only three boxes per family member- Blistree.com offers several tips on cleaning out sentimental items, one of them being; keeping only three boxes per family member. Giving yourself a limit allows you to determine what is really important to keep.

•  What are the sentimental items you keep in your home?
• If you have tips on how to get rid of sentimental items we would love to know! 

Happy Spring Cleaning!

  

The Gingerbread Man's Bathroom Renovations Revealed

Toilet- We provided the Gingerbread Man with a candy comfort height toilet. A comfort height toilet is higher than your average toilet making it more accessible for the Gingerbread Man and easier on his injured leg.

Vanity- For the vanity area, we gave Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread Man his and hers sinks and mirrors. Each sink has roll under accessibility should either of them need a wheelchair in the future.  We also provided them with several storage drawers so their gum drops and candy canes can be properly stored and off of the countertop and floor.  The mirrors are lit from overhead for better visibility.

Shower- Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread Man prefer showers to baths, so we removed their existing coffee mug tub and installed an accessible zero threshold shower. 

Shower Bench- We added a shower bench to assist when needed. This "sweet" bench by Great Grabz is mold and slip resistant and easy to clean. The textured licorice top provides a soft cushion for added comfort. We've also added a hand held shower that can reach to the shower bench so they can bathe while seated if needed.

Grab Bar- Great Grabz also provided a grab bar for the shower area from their delicious confections line. It's unique Wave design provides both safety and style for the Gingerbread's shower.


Now Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread can begin the new year knowing that their bathroom is safer and will accommodate them for years to come.



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Mr. Gingerbread Man's Home Assessment

Gingerbread Man’s Home Assessment

It is important to do a home assessment before any bathroom remodel to make sure we are meeting all our client’s present and future needs. Asking questions and listening is the first step to any successful project.



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 Bathroom Entry 

• Is bathroom door handle easy to turn?
• Is entry to bathroom wide enough to roll-in to?
• Are there any barriers to entry?

 Floor

• Is there adequate space to move around the bathroom?
• Is the bathroom floor free from tripping hazards? 
• Are the floors easy to clean?
• Is there non-slip tile on the floor?
• Is the floor very cold?
• Is the shower or tub slippery?
• Does shower have a walk-in entry?
• Is there adequate drainage in the shower?

Counters

• Are counters at a comfortable height and depth for everyone that using the bathroom?
• Are counters free from clutter?
• Does counter top allow for seating?
• Are counters easy to clean?
• Do you have too much glare off the counter tops?

Bathtub/Shower

• Do you bath or shower?
• Is tub easy to get in and out of?
• How do you get in and out?
• Is tub easy to clean?
• Does tub drain effectively?
• Is there a grab bar on or near tub to assist with entry and exit?
• Is shower easy to get in and out of?
• Is there a handheld shower head?
• Is water valve easy to turn on?
• Do you have to get wet when you turn the water on?
• Do you ever have problems with getting scalded by the hot water?
• Is there enough room to safely maneuver in the shower?
• Do you have a light in the shower?
• Are there grab bars in and out of the shower for entry and exit?
• Is there a shower seat or bench needed?
• Are towels accessible outside of the shower
• Where do you keep your towels when you shower? 
• Are shower tiles easy to clean?

Electrical

• Does the bathroom stay humid long after you shower?
• Do you ever smell mold in the bathroom?
• Do you have adequate lighting at the sink?
• Are cords secured and out of the way?
• Are electrical outlets accessible?
• Are there enough outlets to safely plug in blow dryers, etc.?
  
  CLICK HERE to print out your own bathroom safety checklist.

Meet the Remodeler

Gingerbread Man has been a friend of the family since I was a child. When he called last week and said that he had injured his leg, I was more than happy to offer my remodeling services to help make his home safer and more accessible for his recovery and for the future.

As a Certified Aging in Place Specialists, I have worked on many homes needing remodeling due to accessibility issues. Even though Mr. Gingerbread Man is expected to make a full recovery, this incident opened his eyes to how limiting his home really is... particularly his bathroom. He is now looking to remodel his master bath so that it will be both beautiful and functional for the whole Gingerbread Family for years to come.



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An Accessbile Home for the Gingerbread Man

Holidays are a time of gathering and sharing, but this also the time that so many accidents occur. Unfortunately, over the Thanksgiving holiday Gingerbread Man suffered a terrible accident while at his vacation home in Naples, Florida.


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We have offered to remodel his home to make it completely accessible in time for Christmas. Be sure to check our blog and follow us on twitter for updates on the progress of this project and the carefully chosen universal design features and products.

We would love to hear your ideas on how to make Mr. Gingerbread Man’s home safer.