Goose accessibility thread...

[tmhrrgn]

Hi All
I would rather go with something purpose built for this than to modify something that was not made to do the task.

Tim

 

[Jags]

Hi All
I would rather go with something purpose built for this than to modify something that was not made to do the task.

Tim

Hmmm....I'm thinking this:

 

[begreen]

No problem Tim. This is just process thinking. It helps to think out lots of options before the hammers start pounding, even if 90% of the ideas get tossed out.

 

[begreen]

Hi All
I would rather go with something purpose built for this than to modify something that was not made to do the task.

Tim

Hmmm....I'm thinking this:

I like it, mentioned awhile back. Seems like with a trailer behind it, Goose could move a lot of wood.

 

[kenny chaos]

If you go to Google Images and search for "wheelchair lift," you'll get lots of real good ideas what's available, real quick.
You can then do the same for "wheelchair sink."

 

[Jags]

Hi All
I would rather go with something purpose built for this than to modify something that was not made to do the task.

Tim

Hmmm....I'm thinking this:

I like it, mentioned awhile back. Seems like with a trailer behind it, Goose could move a lot of wood.

Maybe we could mount a mower deck on the front and get his butt back to work. ;-)

Sorry for the left turn folks, sometimes a little "jest" is good for the heart.

 

[kenny chaos]

Here's an idea the union guys could build: (broken link removed)

 

[begreen]

This website has a good listing of options together with pricing info:
http://www.acessinc.com/wheelchair_porch_lifts.htm

Simple suggestions to make a place more wheelchair friendly:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4889_make-simple-wheelchair.html

Some bathroom pictures for ideas:
(broken link removed)

Massachussetts low cost loan program for home modifications to accommodate the handicapped:
http://tinyurl.com/yhucwvs

Also, Tim, maybe see if you can borrow or rent a wheelchair for a day while you are there. Try it out through the house to check out turning radius, clearances etc.

 

[mgwmgw]

This is the sink we have. It is between 2 walls There is a cupboard beneath it.
The left picture of BEGreen's post is what I meant by a sink that sticks out of the front of the counter.
I like that.

 

[mgwmgw]

I think that I have identified the "sticking out" sink in the left picture.
It is a Kohler K-2098-4-0
and there is one for sale on ebay for $150 plus $30 shipping.
(broken link removed to http://cgi.ebay.com/Kohler-Bathroom-Lav-Sink-ADA-Wheelchair-Accessible-NIB_W0QQitemZ140397155389QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Sinks?hash=item20b052943d)

 

[LLigetfa]

Yes, that one has the drain offset to the side and back.

 

[begreen]

I like it too Mary-Anne. Looks like you might be able to use the current faucet set with it. How wide is the current cabinet top?

 

[mgwmgw]

If I understand how this works, the sink comes in both 4 and 8 inch varieties,
and the faucets we have are 4 inch, so we can use them.
The counter is about 35 inches wide by about 23 inches deep.
The Kohler sink is 26-1/4" x 20-1/8"

 

[begreen]

That will work. The side counters will be narrow, so may be a shallow shelf on each side, about 10" above the counter will provide a location for some items. A medicine cabinet could be added to store things that are only occasionally needed.

 

[mgwmgw]

On the phone the other day, Tim suggested that instead of putting tiles all the way up the wall, we could cover the wall with a vinyl back splash sheet, a shower or bathtub surround.

Does anyone have an opinion about which option would be better and whether there are reasons to do one or the other?

 

[daveswoodhauler]

On the phone the other day, Tim suggested that instead of putting tiles all the way up the wall, we could cover the wall with a vinyl back splash sheet, a shower or bathtub surround.

Does anyone have an opinion about which option would be better and whether there are reasons to do one or the other?

I think it would be much more cost effective to put in a tub surround or vinyl sheet vs tile, unless the tile work is going to be donated labor.

 

[Flatbedford]

I wonder what the town would think about a jury rigged elevator for a handicapped person.
If the town is not involved, I think it's a great idea.

What he said. I don't think some kind of jury rigged thing would be a proper, safe solution. The lift will be Goose's only point of entry/exit and has to be reliable and safe and something that he can confidently operate alone. I don't think it is something to mess around with.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

I wonder what the town would think about a jury rigged elevator for a handicapped person.
If the town is not involved, I think it's a great idea.

What he said. I don't think some kind of jury rigged thing would be a proper, safe solution. The lift will be Goose's only point of entry/exit and has to be reliable and safe and something that he can confidently operate alone. I don't think it is something to mess around with.

+10 I am sure that the hearth members could make something pretty cool, but life safety is not something you want to mess with.

 

[begreen]

On the phone the other day, Tim suggested that instead of putting tiles all the way up the wall, we could cover the wall with a vinyl back splash sheet, a shower or bathtub surround.

Does anyone have an opinion about which option would be better and whether there are reasons to do one or the other?

There are acrylic surround panels made just for this purpose. They work well as long as they are not cleaned with an abrasive. However, I think the main issue is not the walls, it is the shower pan itself. You might want to look at some of these options if looking for a quick installation:

http://www.acessinc.com/ADA_Showers.htm

 

[mgwmgw]

I was assuming that we would not use a "shower pan" at all. I assumed that we would just tile the floor with something not slippery, and tile the shower floor the same way. There would be an edge between the shower and the floor, which the wheelchair would compress when it rolls over the edge.

I talked with Goose earlier today, and what he wants has just gotten 2 notches more complex than what I had been thinking about.

First, he does not want to use a shower surround, not because it would not work, but he wants us to indent shelves between the studs behind the shower, in the space of the wall between the shower and the next room.

Second, he wants us to redo the entire bathroom floor, which was new just a few years ago, because water will certainly leak from the roll-in shower, and we need to tilt the floor so all the water runs into the shower drain. How this gets past the edge of the shower is unclear to me, but that is what he wants.

 

[mgwmgw]

I asked Goose about jury rigged solutions, and he agreed with me that what we do before he comes home should include permits and keep Tim in a safe situation. What we create after he gets home, if we stay in the house, has room for further creativity. Among other things, if we have a conservative solution to the essentials then if something else temporarily breaks we can live with that more easily.

 

[Dune]

I was assuming that we would not use a "shower pan" at all. I assumed that we would just tile the floor with something not slippery, and tile the shower floor the same way. There would be an edge between the shower and the floor, which the wheelchair would compress when it rolls over the edge.

I talked with Goose earlier today, and what he wants has just gotten 2 notches more complex than what I had been thinking about.

First, he does not want to use a shower surround, not because it would not work, but he wants us to indent shelves between the studs behind the shower, in the space of the wall between the shower and the next room.

Second, he wants us to redo the entire bathroom floor, which was new just a few years ago, because water will certainly leak from the roll-in shower, and we need to tilt the floor so all the water runs into the shower drain. How this gets past the edge of the shower is unclear to me, but that is what he wants.

You still need a shower pan, even if it is the size of the whole bathroom. I happen to have an abundace left over from a very large shower.

 

[begreen]

I was assuming that we would not use a "shower pan" at all. I assumed that we would just tile the floor with something not slippery, and tile the shower floor the same way. There would be an edge between the shower and the floor, which the wheelchair would compress when it rolls over the edge.

I talked with Goose earlier today, and what he wants has just gotten 2 notches more complex than what I had been thinking about.

First, he does not want to use a shower surround, not because it would not work, but he wants us to indent shelves between the studs behind the shower, in the space of the wall between the shower and the next room.

Second, he wants us to redo the entire bathroom floor, which was new just a few years ago, because water will certainly leak from the roll-in shower, and we need to tilt the floor so all the water runs into the shower drain. How this gets past the edge of the shower is unclear to me, but that is what he wants.

It's hard to say what to do before Tim has a chance to measure and put a level on some things, especially the bathroom floor. If it's level, or there is slight slope down towards the shower, then it may not be necessary to rip up the new tile. If it is the opposite, then it may be necessary to redo the floor so that the entire bathroom floor is pitched towards the shower drain.

This is best to go over with the company or someone who has done this before. There may be a best way or design. The prefab units appear to be designed so that the chair is moved next to the shower and then he would slide off of the chair and onto the shower seat. Right now, he may not have enough upper body strength for a while to accomplish this. In that case, it may be advisable to forego the prefab unit. This may be Goose's concern.

It sounds like you have about 6 weeks to pull this together. A complete bathroom remodel with tile can be done in about a week with a tightly scheduled crew. But even if it takes 2 weeks, it may be ok. Why not give the company that installed the floor a call and ask if they have done this kind of installation before? It may be helpful to get their assessment of options. Opinions are free, so might as well have them out and present the options and work up an estimate.

 

[Shari]

Regarding the shower area: My girlfriend lives in a 'retirement community' and has a main bath built for handicap needs. Her bathroon floor is all tile, no lip entering the shower, obviously it must have a sloped shower floor for drainage. I think what Goose is talking about (sloping the entire floor) is being wet when exiting the shower and dripping water on the floor after the shower.

By the way, my girlfriend says the one drawback on her shower design is that the shower curtain 'clings' when showering. She had to get a shower curtain that has a weighted bottom hem - that way the curtain does not get sucked into the shower area during a shower.

Shari

 

[mgwmgw]

The store that installed the bathroom floor is just a couple of miles from here. I was there yesterday looking at options for tiles. They are willing to come by and give a free estimate. I said I would talk to Tim when he comes by on Saturday and let them know early next week what I want to do.

One thing that complicates the shower installation is that there is black mold growing in the wall and ceiling above the shower. We would clearly want to replace that.

We must also remember to put in lots of blocks behind the new shower wall, so we can install grab-bars in a lot of places.

My parents pointed out that the vinyl shower surround might have shelves built in. That would be simpler than trying to embed shelves into the wall.