One of the big surprises in life is when you have a fall or an accident and your mobility changes. At that point you realize your beloved home, as is, poses any number of hazards—particularly in the bathroom. Stairs, hallways, the kitchen, entrances and living areas may all have risky elements as well.
The good news is there are plenty of options to update your existing home so that you can live better and more safely. Sheila Brady presents two bathroom update stories that showcase what a huge difference a safety audit and smart reno can make.
Sexy and Safe
Accessible bathroom transformation packs eye appeal
By Sheila Brady
Lynda Zimmerman does not mince words, remembering the old bathroom in her east end bungalow. “It was old and yucky. It needed an update.” The bathroom was unsafe for the couple, who are facing a series of health issues. The toilet was tightly squeezed against the soaker tub, which boasted a thick surround layer of tiles. Access was tricky for mature legs and downright dangerous for Ken Zimmerman, 73, who is dealing with Parkinson’s, decreased physical dexterity and a future depending on a wheelchair for mobility.
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease,” says Lynda, 72, who is also dealing with severe arthritis and tremors. “The shower was little and not comfortable,” she adds. “I had to stand in one spot and it bothered my arthritis.
“This is our only bathroom and thankfully it is close to our main bedroom,” says Lynda. Don’t even ask about the challenges of cleaning floors and tiles in the old bathroom. The couple, originally from London, fell in love with the 2,000-square-foot bungalow when Ken was recruited for a job in Ottawa in 2002 and they went house hunting. It was the only bungalow on a large tract of land in the east end community of Chapel Hill.
Years ago, the ivory and green bathroom did not bother the couple. But time and physical limitations started to pose serious challenges. Today, the grumbling and old bathroom have disappeared thanks to a friend’s recommendation and a $30,000 transformation by Sean MacGinnis and his company BuildABLE Design + Renovations. BuildAble has carved out an enviable reputation for makeovers, allowing seniors and Boomers to maintain their independence and age safely in place—in their family home.
Sean, who jumped into the housing industry by installing chairlifts, assessed the Chapel Hill home, developing a sleek, silver-grey bathroom with a large, 100 per cent accessible shower. A tiny lip folds down to allow wheelchair access to the shower, which also features multiple jets, a comfortable wooden chair which folds down from the wall and multiple grab bars for security and safety. Rough grey tiles on the shower floor provide secure footing.
Nearby, the toilet is taller for easy sitting and standing and grab bars are within easy reach. The access door is wide to accommodate a walker or a wheelchair, while the white counter is raised off the white and grey marble floor for easy cleaning and a modern vibe.
The bathroom reno is another step in making the Chapel Hill home aging-friendly. Now the couple are thinking ahead to get a stairlift to access the basement, along with a better stairway and banister to the garage. “I am fine with stairs now, but we may look at a ramp at the front of the house. Renovations are much better than the cost of moving to a retirement home,” adds Lynda, who is also looking ahead to when they may rely on Uber or Para Transpo for transportation
to appointments, plus Meals on Wheels and community care health workers. “All of these supports will greatly help us stay put in a home we love.”
