New wet cell build

[Beemer]

Just before Christmas we had Clark and Partners convert our bathroom into a wet cell, taking out the shower bath, WC and sink unit, to replace it all with a sealed floor walk in shower and curtain with new bluetooth shower unit. Sink with thermostatic tap (I think its called that) and the craziest WC I have never seen or heard of before. I call it the washnwax loo , ok it dont wax but even after using it for a few weeks now, I still brace myself for the wash bit .

[denise]

Your bathroom sounds wonderful. I'd happily settle for a loo seat that feels so cold I'm surprised I haven't had a heart attack. 😨

[jd58]

Great bathroom enjoy it

[SueM]

Beemer that sounds amazing, I have PMA which has affected my arms first, we are just getting round to thinking about what we need to do with our bathroom. Did you get some advice first? Or is the company you used specialists in this type of bathroom?

[Nettie]

It sounds amazing Beemer, I’m still waiting for my adaptations I can’t even get in the shower anymore so strip washes for me 🤦🏼♀️ and stairs get harder every day. Janette x

[Ellie]

Beemer Good for you - life is so much easier with the right equipment, isn't it...

Throw in a shiny undercarriage and you're laughing 😉

[GaryM]

Has anyone decided to give up on access to a bathroom? We're reluctant to have ours, which is upstairs, converted to a wet room because I might not be able to get up the stairs by the end of the year. We don't have a room downstairs that is suitable for conversion and are reluctant to have a through-floor-lift installed. Everyone talks about maintaining access to a bathroom, but I just wondered how practical it is to not have one.

[Ellie]

Gary, have you space in a downstairs room for a pod type shower and loo, or even just a big shower if you have a downstairs loo or if you're happy using the commode? Is a small outside pod, near a door, a possibility?

From a personal point of view, my daily shower is an opportunity to feel normal in the face of adversity, but I have the luxury of having same floor living.

I feel for you, I really do - I had an upstairs wetroom and bedroom in my previous house, accessed by a stairlift, and feared what may lie in the future if the stairlift became impossible.

Love Ellie.

[GaryM]

We have thought about a pod in the kitchen where there is a breakfast bar that could easily be removed, but I've not pursued it very far. I think it might be awkward to install plumbing and waste to it. I think the real problem is that we bought what was our ideal house about two years ago and we're both reluctant to turn it upside down just for what might be only a short time. I still want my wife to have a nice house after I'm gone. Maybe we're just burying our heads in the sand.

[Ellie]

Gary, I guess you can research and plan for now and continue using the stairlift for as long as you can, if your current bathroom is a viable option.

You'll get use from the stairlift if your core strength is good enough and you can think outside the box if getting on and off, or transferring to it should become an issue.

If only you had a crystal ball, eh!!!

[Deb]

Its really hard to spend your hard earned money on home adaptations you really don't want to need. Its like a triple whammy !

Gary, I think we all bury our head in the sand to some extent. I was reluctant to move from our unsuitable house and I didn't want the lovely bathroom in our new home ripped out. I was managing in a tiny ensuite with my husband lifting my feet one by one up the step up. My OT took one look at how we were managing and said it was very dangerous. Not least because if I did fall I would bang my head as it was so small. Although I did not qualify for funding my OT was very involved in planning for changing needs and she struck a deal with the council wet room fitters so we paid the same price as if it was funded.

That was three years ago and like Ellie my shower is one of my favourite parts of the day. I use a shower wheel and feel safe . ( famous last words !) and its cosy warm. I can even have candles and music on the other side of the room.

Changes we don't want to our homes feel like another kick in the teeth but its best not to wait until it becomes a crisis... which is what I did.

Love Debbie x

[GaryM]

Yes, a crystal ball would be handy. It's not knowing how long you've got before limbs stop working. I think what I was really getting at was, is it a crisis to not have access to a bathroom? I appreciate that women take personal hygiene more seriously than most men, but is anyone here managing without one.

[richard]

Debbie We are in the process of getting quotes for a wet room, can you please explain what a shower wheel is? Thanks

Richard

[Beemer]

Beemer that sounds amazing, I have PMA which has affected my arms first, we are just getting round to thinking about what we need to do with our bathroom. Did you get some advice first? Or is the company you used specialists in this type of bathroom?

SueM , My OT advised me that I may be entitled to a conversion, but it is means tested and I suggested I would not get the grant as I am in receipt of an Army pension and still working for University. The OT said if the conversion was less than £10,000, he was sure I would get it.
It cost £9,100, result.
The conversion is not too disabled looking, so useable when I move on. I admit, I have my head in the sand about what happens if/when I cant get up the stairs.

[Deb]

Debbie We are in the process of getting quotes for a wet room, can you please explain what a shower wheel is? Thanks

Richard

Sorry Richard, I should read my words before posting when using predictive text. I meant shower wheel chair although a shower wheel sounds like more fun x