By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be over 65. As our population ages, more seniors prefer to live in their own home, safely and comfortably, for as long as possible.
Just Google “aging in place” and you’ll get an impressive 105 million hits.
An Aging In Place approach to home design involves proactive planning, whether it’s new construction or family home modifications.
Aging in Place products, such a linear drains, can help extend the length of time one can remain at home.
Aging in Place vs. ADA Accessibility:
In contrast, ADA-compliant products are required in public buildings and federally subsidized housing to meet specific size and accessibility standards.
While ADA compliance is not necessary for residential homes, compliant products are designed to benefit people with disabilities by making a living environment more user-friendly and livable.
Accessible design serves not only people with permanently impaired mobility, but also those temporarily impaired by injury or surgery.
QM Linear Drains Make ADA Compliance Simple and stylish
2.5 million People are injured every year in home related accidents by falling, with a resulting cost of 34 billion dollars.
Typically, the most dangerous room in the home for anyone with a disability is the bathroom.
A traditional bathroom design does a poor job of providing a safe and accessible environment for individuals with limited physical ability. #2 on the Top 10 Aging In Place Bathroom Fixes aginginplace.com is the curbless shower design.
A barrier-free shower means there is not a lip (or curb) to step over to get into the shower; the transition between the bathroom floor and the shower floor is flush.
“Creating a flush, flat entry where clients can move out of a wet, slick shower without stepping over something is just basic on my design agenda”
—Anonymous designer, 45 years young
While most accessibility standards define the minimum depth of a curbless shower to be 30 inches (76 centimeters), a more generous minimum depth of 36 inches (91 centimeters) is recommended.
An even larger depth of 42 to 48 inches (107 to 122 centimeters) not only permits easier drainage, but also allows someone in a wheelchair to enter the shower and retain complete range of motion for bathing and accessing the water controls.
Although it is suggested that shower spaces be 66 to 72 inches (168 to 183 centimeters) in length for a roll-in shower, the standard minimum length is at least 60 inches (152 centimeters) in all directions, providing adequate space for a caregiver to assist someone in a wheelchair.
The position of the shower drain is another vital component in bathroom design, and the larger the shower, the easier it is to gradually slope the shower floor in one direction, toward a linear drain.
Location options include installing the linear drain along the back wall of the shower opposite its entrance or as a trough-style drain around the perimeter of the shower enclosure.
A linear drain can be installed at the shower entry and still allow for wheel chair access.
With Aging in Place as rising trend, QM linear drains help you meld compliance and great style.
- Versatility – Long lines and clean design of the linear drain are attractive and has more installation opportunities. It can be placed in different parts of the shower making it more versatile than center drains. One of the best places for a linear drain is at the entrance of the shower or the back wall opposite to the entrance.
- Maintenance – Linear drains are easy to clean depending on the material they are manufactured in. Water and soap are the recommended method of cleaning. A good linear drain will have a removable debris basket. This can prevent clogging your pipes, one of the most frequent and expressive problems in any home.
