Being able to live in familiar surroundings at a ripe old age. An understandable wish shared by many senior citizens – and one that can become reality through the choice of age-friendly accommodation and good organisation. Appropriate state funding programmes help here, as well as an industry that is developing ever more products to make life easier. With a little foresight, it is possible to benefit from them at other periods of one’s life, too. ... putting people first.
The bathroom should be a place of relaxation where looking after oneself becomes a pleasure. And this is where early planning pays rich dividends later. How should the room be arranged to ensure maximum ‘room to manoeuvre’? What needs to be taken into account with the washbasin and toilet areas? Do I need a bathtub, or would a spacious shower without sills be better?
This example shows how a bathroom can be designed for all ages and without compromises on comfort. The washbasin and toilet can be height-adjusted at the touch of a button, foldaway supports make for even more ease of use and a modern, floor-level shower opens up the room and provides enough space – – even where another person may need to give a helping hand as well.
Stylish and functional: The floor-level shower
The trend towards floor-level showers continues apace. Not just older people, but also other family members appreciate access without a step, the easily integrated seating options and the many other design variants. However, safety is still very important. Slip resistant surfaces such as those offered by tiles are just as important as a stylish drain to transport the water away safely. One popular solution can be seen here in the photo: Viega’s Advantix Vario wall drain. It is extremely narrow and blends in elegantly with the overall design solution.
Adjustment option part 1: The height-adjustable washbasin
What has been common in kitchens and offices for a long time has now arrived in the bathroom: A washbasin element from Viega that can be adjusted for height: washbasins can be moved up to 20 cm vertically – steplessly, easily and at any time. At the touch of a button, the ceramic section travels upwards within a range of approximately 70 to 90 centimetres from floor level. To move it down it is sufficient just to lean on the basin in order to move it to a position that makes washing from a sitting position comfortably easy.
The Viega Eco Plus washbasin element can be combined with many different individual ceramic units and is completely independent of electrical power.
Adjustment option part 2: The height-adjustable toilet
Adults and older people in particular find it easier to stand up if the toilet is higher, whereas a lower seat is more suitable for children. Viega’s height adjustable WC element now makes it possible to adjust the sitting height to each person’s individual needs – at any time. Here, too, the touch of a button is enough, and the WC ceramic unit travels up to 8 centimetres up or down.
The way the WC element works – only using a gas pressure spring – can be viewed at www.viega.de/hoehenverstellbar.
It can be combined with many WC ceramic units and all Viega flush plates from the Visign range.
Conclusion
How do I want to live when I am older? To ensure being able to remain in one’s own home for as long as possible, it is generally necessary to make some modifications, and especially to plan ahead. Products that adapt to suit the user’s needs are now also available for bathrooms. They look good, and they are so flexible that they can be installed long before they become a necessity. And they are there to be useful for everyone as required. When children come to visit, when an injury restricts one’s movement: The fittings are there to be adjusted to people, not the other way round.
