Bathroom designs that are easier for the elderly and disabled to use are easier for everyone, say fixture manufacturers and designers.
"A person who actually sees the benefit of having a grab bar on a wet wall, or a fold-down seat in the shower, is going to become more interested in those products and more likely to buy them," says John Laughton, American Standard's marketing manager. He predicts that able-bodied people will come to demand these features.Alexander Kira, architecture professor at Cornell University, says that easy-to-use and safety features are for all. "The irony, or tragedy, in this situation is that the ambulatory elderly person doesn't require anything that is different or special - only that it be more functional, which would be a benefit for everyone, regardless of their age."
The Chicago-based Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Information Bureau notes that the plumbing industry is beginning to incorporate what they call "universal design" into fixtures and faucets they make.
The bureau, an industry group, observes that anyone is likely to be less able-bodied as they grow older and points to studies that suggest 10 percent of the population will have to use a wheelchair at some time in their lives. Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act also has prompted redesigns.
Some of these are simple, like American Standard's Heritage faucets that turn full on with a 90-degree turn. Or they might be more elaborate, like Kohler's Precedence bath whirlpool, featuring a swing-out door, built-in fold-down seat and grab bars.
Shower stalls with low thresholds for wheelchair access are marketed by at least two makers, Aqua Glass and Lasco. They incorporate hand-held showers, seats and color-coordinated grab bars.
A remote-controlled toilet-bidet combination, the Washlet, is being marketed by Toto, a Japanese manufacturer. The combination has a drying function and deodorizer. "The Washlet gives independence to the elderly or disabled person who can't perform this necessary hygiene function without help anymore," says the company's marketing manager, David Harris. "It's a question of dignity."
Many companies are making blade lever faucet handles that are easier for the handicapped, people with arthritis and everyone else to operate. "You probably can even operate the faucet with your nose," says Laughton of his company's model.
Many of these faucets have pressure-balancing or temperature-regulating mechanisms to protect users from scalding.
Laughton says that European designers have led in this area, but makers in this country are catching up.
"Especially in Scandinavian countries, more is spent on research and development, and the welfare of the people is a big concern. The Europeans also have a different attitude about design. They are more concerned about the long-term pleasure gained from the product, rather than in the glitter or first impression."