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.