PHYSICAL DISABILITY


Simple & Sensible Surroundings for Stroke Survivors


More than half of all stroke survivors are left with a disability that impacts their daily life, but adapting their home environment can be hugely beneficial and even support


rehabilitation. James Dadd, Marketing Director at AKW, explores how bathroom design, in particular, can help promote recovery and independence.


Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the UK, with almost two thirds of stroke survivors leaving hospital with some degree of diminished physical or cognitive ability. This, however, does not mean that dignity and quality of life need to be compromised. With the right support and some clever adaptations in the home – whether that is a care facility or their own property – stroke survivors can continue to lead reasonably independent lives.


While the level and type of disability can vary dramatically from one person to the next, most will find that the bathroom becomes a particularly challenging room to use if it is not altered to meet their specific needs. Furthermore, as it is one of the most frequently used spaces in a home, as well as one in which privacy is paramount, it warrants the adaptations needed to ensure maximum safety and comfort for the individual.


Before any work is carried out to improve the bathroom it is important to consider the challenges faced by the user. These usually include problems getting on and off the toilet and in and out of baths and showers, altered visual perception and feeling overwhelmed or psychologically confused. With these in mind, there are three key design principles that can help to ensure the room is suitable for stroke survivors: keep it strong, keep it logical and keep it simple.


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Making sure items of furniture in the room are strong, for example, means that the resident can safely use them as a support if they begin to feel weak or unsteady. All fixtures, including basins and grab rails, need to be fitted securely to the wall and be strong enough to withstand the weight of a person without tipping or falling over.


Meanwhile, keeping things logical and putting items in areas where they are expected to be found naturally – for instance, the body wash in the shower and toothbrush on the basin – allows the stroke survivor to eventually carry out tasks for themselves automatically through repetition, which is a vital part of rehabilitation.


Furthermore, opting for simplicity by removing clutter and redundant objects or pieces of furniture will not only leave more space for the stroke survivor but also make the room less


overwhelming. The only things that should ever be in the room are those that are absolutely vital and those that are needed on a daily basis. Equally, keeping patterns on soft furnishings, tiling and walls to an absolute minimum will reduce visual confusion.


In addition to this advice, it is important to consider the suitability of furniture such as the toilet and washing facilities. In particular, the toilet should be higher than is traditionally the norm to make it easier for the resident to get on and off, while showers are typically more appropriate than baths for stroke survivors facing mobility problems or muscle weakness. A level access wet room is often the most appropriate option as these eliminate trip hazards and can be accessed by those relying on mobility aids or wheelchairs.


Above all, looking at each user’s specific needs will lead to the creation of a bathroom that is best suited to them and one that can enable a level of independence that usually would not have been possible in a room that had not been altered for their individual requirements. In addition, it is always advisable to seek full guidance from experienced adapted living solutions specialists so that the right design principles can be applied to ensure optimum accessibility in a room that encourages both rehabilitation and wellbeing for stroke survivors.


www.akw-ltd.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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