If you’re searching accessible bathrooms and have come across the term “Independent Living”, you may be feeling slightly confused. Don’t worry, it’s simply what we call our range of accessible bathroom products.
As you read through this article, you’ll discover exactly what Independent Living is, what it means in terms of mobility and disability, and how it can help you, your family and your friends live the lives you want to lead.
What is Independent Living?
Independent Living is a term that is used in relation to people with restricted mobility, whether through disability or old age. Scope, one of the UK’s largest disabled charities, defines Independent Living as “having choice and control over all aspects of your life”.
So, in a general sense, Independent Living means choosing where you want to live and how you spend your time, including the activities you participate in. This can include anything from work to study, and sports to leisure. There is even an Independent Living Institute, which promotes the self-determination of people with disabilities.
What does Independent Living mean to you?
If you lack mobility due to old age
Independent Living can be viewed as a logical first step on a sliding scale of elderly care. Assisted living would be the next step and you can find out more about the differences between Independent Living and Assisted Living in our informative blog post.
If you lack mobility due to disability
Independent Living can mean the difference between leading a restricted life and leading the life you want to live, with equality and self-determination at the heart of your choices.
If you care for an elderly or disabled friend or relative
Independent Living can help your friend or relative maintain their independence, with less reliance on you as a carer. This can, in turn, free up your own time and provide added peace of mind, especially in terms of safety and quality of life.
What is an Independent Living bathroom?
One way of achieving your goal of Independent Living is to make adaptations to your home environment, improving access and allowing you to do all those everyday things that many people take for granted. At Victoria Plum, we offer a wide range of affordable independent living bathroom products, so you can create the bathroom you want without compromising on style or quality.
The adaptations you make can vary, from quick and easy fixes to more complex bathroom renovations, depending on your own unique situation. Here are a few examples of the adaptations you can make:
Grab rails
Probably one of the easiest adaptations you can make to your bathroom, if you require a little extra assistance getting in and out of the bath, or making your way around your room.
These days, your choice isn’t limited to sterile, boring designs that look like they’ve come straight out of a hospital. As you can see below, they can be sleek and stylish, blending seamlessly with the rest of your décor.
Check out our grab rail buying guide for further information.
Shower and bath seats
Standing for long periods, especially when taking a shower, can sometimes prove difficult. So, why not take the weight off your feet with a shower seat? You can choose a number of designs, from simple stools to seats which fold neatly away, which is ideal for shared spaces.
Advanced toilet
From comfort height toilets, where the seat is slightly higher than normal, to more sophisticated toilets with hygienic personal water jets and dryers, you can choose a model that suits your needs. Find out more about Japanese-style toilets, like the one pictured below.
Wet room
Especially accessible for wheelchair users and those with impaired vision, wet rooms come with no steps or shower trays, so trip hazards are greatly reduced. At Victoria Plum, we offer full wet room kits for stylish Independent Living bathrooms.
More on Independent Living
Want to find out more about accessible bathrooms for the elderly and disabled? At Victoria Plum, you’ll find plenty of expert advice on which products to choose, plus inspiring ideas showing you how to create a bathroom that’s both stylish and safe. Click on the image below to head to our Independent Living hub.
Shop Independent Living bathrooms
For the very best in accessible bathrooms, why not browse our Independent Living range today? Simply click on the image below.
