#301 – Art and Function

Image courtesy of Roger Kirby.

Sometimes art and function disagree.

I recently saw an ad depicting a gorgeous bathroom in a condominium development.

“Ooooo, I like that,” was my first thought. Proceeded by, “Ohhhh, that’s not so good.”

The faucet was placed on the edge of the tub that was facing out into the room. (Usually, it’s on the wall.) The toilet was at the other side of the tub.

Why is this a problem? Well, if you are still able to take baths, you may need help getting in or out of the tub. With the faucet blocking one edge and the toilet the other, you’re not left with much room to manoeuvre.

When you live with a condition that impacts your mobility, it is especially important to consider your home’s accessibility, from the big things, right down to the little things, like faucets. Think about the placement of them and their ease of use. (The lever style faucets are a better choice for people with sore, swollen and dislocated joints.)

Slip, Sliding Away

It happened so quickly. One minute I was happily singing away in the shower. The next, I was gingerly checking to see that all my parts were still moving as they should be moving.

A visit to a relative’s home, an ineffective shower mat and water equals a recipe for disaster.

Think safety in the bathroom. For everyone. Purchase a good quality rubber tub mat or paint the bottom of your tub with a non-slip coating.

Image courtesy of Pam Roth.