I need some advice. Could you please give me some ideas, comments,
suggestions about what questions I should ask, what information sources
there are and so forth for designing and remodeling a bathroom to make it
wheelchair-friendly?

I live in Seattle and I know of and am checking many sources such as the
Washington State licensing bureau
Better Business Bureau, local nursing homes, and what not. I have had a
thorough
review by an occupational therapist. http://www.provail.org and a specialist
in
designing rooms for handicapped people will be here in a week. I got a
contractor
recommendation from Provail, but that guy can't do the work because his
insurance
won't let him work in a condo. I receive Social Security Disability Income
and am a former federal employee who
was retired for disability.I will be in a wheelchair at all times within six
months. Right now I can
get around indoors with a walker and I use a power-operated chair outdoors.
The power chair is a Quantum 600 and I suspect I might be better served
indoors by getting a smaller chair. My arm and leg strength has been
deteriorating
for decades due to a neurological problem for which there is no treatment.
My hand strength is
deteriorating as well and it's getting harder to hold a telephone a grip an
apple. Here's the
place where you can get the skinny on the medical problem if you want to
know about it:
http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/a...t/symptoms.php

The tentative plan is to turn the main bathroom into a wet room. We have a
second bathroom and it needs no work. The tub will be replaced with a
threshold-free shower, the vanity removed from under the sink and a new
toilet with a much higher seat will be installed. One other option I'm
looking into is equipment, lifts, and so forth that I could sit on and that
would help me "slide" or move onto a transfer or shower bench. Who knows?

I've talked to two contractors and have rough estimates for the job. One
was $15k and the other was for $25k. I'm not at all impressed with the $15
guy. He's pushing me to get the job, not offering as much detail at the
outset as I think is reasonable to expect. He left a message on my
answering machine
today in which he said he'd like to talk about some other options or
designs. A
week or so ago I told him by email that I needed specific information such
as dimensions,
types of material to be used, and what not. This was after a contractor who
cannot
do the work because of the distance from his office to the job site told me
that I needed a
"specifications agreement." All I had been given was a "labor and
materials" quote.

I'm also going to need to move the microwave because the countertop and
cabinets underneath it won't let me pull up close enough to it. Our freezer
is on
the top half of our refrigerator-freezer. A side-by-side model might be
better or we can
put a day's worth of frozen stuff on the middle shelf in the refrigerator
every morning

I have assets, but government or non-profit financial help would be a
blessing and a half.
Medicaid is on the horizon, but paying down as much mortgage debt as we
would have
to in order to qualify will destroy my wife's retirement.

Thank you very, very much.

On Oct 20, 5:52*pm, "Info" wrote:
I need some advice. *Could you please give me some ideas, comments,
suggestions about what questions I should ask, what information sources
there are and so forth for designing and remodeling a bathroom to make it
wheelchair-friendly?

I live in Seattle and I know of and am checking many sources such as the
Washington State licensing bureau
Better Business Bureau, local nursing homes, and what not. *I have had a
thorough
review by an occupational therapist.http://www.provail.organd a specialist
in
designing rooms for handicapped people will be here in a week. *I got a
contractor
recommendation from Provail, but that guy can't do the work because his
insurance
won't let him work in a condo. * I receive Social Security Disability Income
and am a former federal employee who
was retired for disability.I will be in a wheelchair at all times within six
months. *Right now I can
get around indoors with a walker and I use a power-operated chair outdoors.
The power chair is a Quantum 600 and I suspect I might be better served
indoors by getting a smaller chair. My arm and leg strength has been
deteriorating
for decades due to a neurological problem for which there is no treatment..
My hand strength is
deteriorating as well and it's getting harder to hold a telephone a grip an
apple. Here's the
place where you can get the skinny on the medical problem if you want to
know about it:http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/a...t/symptoms.php

The tentative plan is to turn the main bathroom into a wet room. *We have a
second bathroom and it needs no work. *The tub will be replaced with a
threshold-free shower, the vanity removed from under the sink and a new
toilet with a much higher seat will be installed. *One other option I'm
looking into is equipment, lifts, and so forth that I could sit on and that
would help me "slide" or move onto a transfer or shower bench. *Who knows?

I've talked to two contractors and have rough estimates for the job. *One
was $15k and the other was for $25k. *I'm not at all impressed with the $15
guy. *He's pushing me to get the job, not offering as much detail at the
outset as I think is reasonable to expect. *He left a message on my
answering machine
today in which he said he'd like to talk about some other options or
designs. *A
week or so ago I told him by email that I needed specific information such
as dimensions,
types of material to be used, and what not. *This was after a contractor who
cannot
do the work because of the distance from his office to the job site told me
that I needed a
"specifications agreement." *All I had been given was a "labor and
materials" quote.

I'm also going to need to move the microwave because the countertop *and
cabinets underneath it won't let me pull up close enough to it. *Our freezer
is on
the top half of our refrigerator-freezer. *A side-by-side model might be
better or we can
put a day's worth of frozen stuff on the middle shelf in the refrigerator
every morning

I have assets, but government or non-profit financial help would be a
blessing and a half.
Medicaid is on the horizon, but paying down as much mortgage debt as we
would have
to in order to qualify will destroy my wife's retirement.

Thank you very, very much.

You might be better served by finding an architect to look at the
problem.
Since you say you live in a condo, you have to come to terms with the
condo board about limits of authority.
Also, the problems arising from a failed design or installation can be
time consuming and expensive.
( My daughter just finished working out a fix with an upstairs owner
after a plumbing leak.)
Finding an architect conversant with condos and accessibility issues
who will take on a relatively small project is not going to be easy in
my experience. However, you will live with the results for a long
time.

You do not mention the kitchen and other spaces. Now is the time to
think about what you will need there.
T

On Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:55:06 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

On Oct 20, 5:52*pm, "Info" wrote:
I need some advice. *Could you please give me some ideas, comments,
suggestions about what questions I should ask, what information sources
there are and so forth for designing and remodeling a bathroom to make it
wheelchair-friendly?

I live in Seattle and I know of and am checking many sources such as the
Washington State licensing bureau
Better Business Bureau, local nursing homes, and what not. *I have had a
thorough
review by an occupational therapist.http://www.provail.organd a specialist
in
designing rooms for handicapped people will be here in a week. *I got a
contractor
recommendation from Provail, but that guy can't do the work because his
insurance
won't let him work in a condo. * I receive Social Security Disability Income
and am a former federal employee who
was retired for disability.I will be in a wheelchair at all times within six
months. *Right now I can
get around indoors with a walker and I use a power-operated chair outdoors.
The power chair is a Quantum 600 and I suspect I might be better served
indoors by getting a smaller chair. My arm and leg strength has been
deteriorating
for decades due to a neurological problem for which there is no treatment.
My hand strength is
deteriorating as well and it's getting harder to hold a telephone a grip an
apple. Here's the
place where you can get the skinny on the medical problem if you want to
know about it:http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/a...t/symptoms.php

The tentative plan is to turn the main bathroom into a wet room. *We have a
second bathroom and it needs no work. *The tub will be replaced with a
threshold-free shower, the vanity removed from under the sink and a new
toilet with a much higher seat will be installed. *One other option I'm
looking into is equipment, lifts, and so forth that I could sit on and that
would help me "slide" or move onto a transfer or shower bench. *Who knows?

I've talked to two contractors and have rough estimates for the job. *One
was $15k and the other was for $25k. *I'm not at all impressed with the $15
guy. *He's pushing me to get the job, not offering as much detail at the
outset as I think is reasonable to expect. *He left a message on my
answering machine
today in which he said he'd like to talk about some other options or
designs. *A
week or so ago I told him by email that I needed specific information such
as dimensions,
types of material to be used, and what not. *This was after a contractor who
cannot
do the work because of the distance from his office to the job site told me
that I needed a
"specifications agreement." *All I had been given was a "labor and
materials" quote.

I'm also going to need to move the microwave because the countertop *and
cabinets underneath it won't let me pull up close enough to it. *Our freezer
is on
the top half of our refrigerator-freezer. *A side-by-side model might be
better or we can
put a day's worth of frozen stuff on the middle shelf in the refrigerator
every morning

I have assets, but government or non-profit financial help would be a
blessing and a half.
Medicaid is on the horizon, but paying down as much mortgage debt as we
would have
to in order to qualify will destroy my wife's retirement.

Thank you very, very much.

You might be better served by finding an architect to look at the
problem.

Excellent suggestion...

Since you say you live in a condo, you have to come to terms with the
condo board about limits of authority.

Generally, *inside* a condo can be done any way the owner wants, as
long as it (the modifications) do not affect the building's common
integerity, or provide a risk to other owners.

I don't see a properly done wet bath being a problem (I've had wet
baths in the past, they are great, so easy to clean (hose 'em out when
they are built right), and of course very accessible for someone like
the OP.

Also, the problems arising from a failed design or installation can be
time consuming and expensive.
( My daughter just finished working out a fix with an upstairs owner
after a plumbing leak.)
Finding an architect conversant with condos and accessibility issues
who will take on a relatively small project is not going to be easy in
my experience. However, you will live with the results for a long
time.

You do not mention the kitchen and other spaces. Now is the time to
think about what you will need there.
T

(I think he did mention the kitchen... g)

3' door. Open space for manuvering should be able to fit a 5' diameter
circle. Space beside the toilet to fit the wheel chair. Space under the
sink for the chair. Roll in shower. Bars as needed. Info here
http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm


"Info" wrote in message
...
I need some advice. Could you please give me some ideas, comments,
suggestions about what questions I should ask, what information sources
there are and so forth for designing and remodeling a bathroom to make it
wheelchair-friendly?

I live in Seattle and I know of and am checking many sources such as the
Washington State licensing bureau
Better Business Bureau, local nursing homes, and what not. I have had a
thorough
review by an occupational therapist. http://www.provail.org and a
specialist in
designing rooms for handicapped people will be here in a week. I got a
contractor
recommendation from Provail, but that guy can't do the work because his
insurance
won't let him work in a condo. I receive Social Security Disability
Income and am a former federal employee who
was retired for disability.I will be in a wheelchair at all times within
six months. Right now I can
get around indoors with a walker and I use a power-operated chair
outdoors.
The power chair is a Quantum 600 and I suspect I might be better served
indoors by getting a smaller chair. My arm and leg strength has been
deteriorating
for decades due to a neurological problem for which there is no treatment.
My hand strength is
deteriorating as well and it's getting harder to hold a telephone a grip
an apple. Here's the
place where you can get the skinny on the medical problem if you want to
know about it:
http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/a...t/symptoms.php

The tentative plan is to turn the main bathroom into a wet room. We have
a
second bathroom and it needs no work. The tub will be replaced with a
threshold-free shower, the vanity removed from under the sink and a new
toilet with a much higher seat will be installed. One other option I'm
looking into is equipment, lifts, and so forth that I could sit on and
that
would help me "slide" or move onto a transfer or shower bench. Who knows?

I've talked to two contractors and have rough estimates for the job. One
was $15k and the other was for $25k. I'm not at all impressed with the
$15
guy. He's pushing me to get the job, not offering as much detail at the
outset as I think is reasonable to expect. He left a message on my
answering machine
today in which he said he'd like to talk about some other options or
designs. A
week or so ago I told him by email that I needed specific information such
as dimensions,
types of material to be used, and what not. This was after a contractor
who cannot
do the work because of the distance from his office to the job site told
me that I needed a
"specifications agreement." All I had been given was a "labor and
materials" quote.

I'm also going to need to move the microwave because the countertop and
cabinets underneath it won't let me pull up close enough to it. Our
freezer is on
the top half of our refrigerator-freezer. A side-by-side model might be
better or we can
put a day's worth of frozen stuff on the middle shelf in the refrigerator
every morning

I have assets, but government or non-profit financial help would be a
blessing and a half.
Medicaid is on the horizon, but paying down as much mortgage debt as we
would have
to in order to qualify will destroy my wife's retirement.

Thank you very, very much.

PeterD wrote:

On Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:55:06 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:



On Oct 20, 5:52 pm, "Info" wrote:


I need some advice. Could you please give me some ideas, comments,
suggestions about what questions I should ask, what information sources
there are and so forth for designing and remodeling a bathroom to make it
wheelchair-friendly?

I live in Seattle and I know of and am checking many sources such as the
Washington State licensing bureau
Better Business Bureau, local nursing homes, and what not. I have had a
thorough
review by an occupational therapist.http://www.provail.organd a specialist
in
designing rooms for handicapped people will be here in a week. I got a
contractor
recommendation from Provail, but that guy can't do the work because his
insurance
won't let him work in a condo. I receive Social Security Disability Income
and am a former federal employee who
was retired for disability.I will be in a wheelchair at all times within six
months. Right now I can
get around indoors with a walker and I use a power-operated chair outdoors.
The power chair is a Quantum 600 and I suspect I might be better served
indoors by getting a smaller chair. My arm and leg strength has been
deteriorating
for decades due to a neurological problem for which there is no treatment.
My hand strength is
deteriorating as well and it's getting harder to hold a telephone a grip an
apple. Here's the
place where you can get the skinny on the medical problem if you want to
know about it:http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/a...t/symptoms.php

The tentative plan is to turn the main bathroom into a wet room. We have a
second bathroom and it needs no work. The tub will be replaced with a
threshold-free shower, the vanity removed from under the sink and a new
toilet with a much higher seat will be installed. One other option I'm
looking into is equipment, lifts, and so forth that I could sit on and that
would help me "slide" or move onto a transfer or shower bench. Who knows?

I've talked to two contractors and have rough estimates for the job. One
was $15k and the other was for $25k. I'm not at all impressed with the $15
guy. He's pushing me to get the job, not offering as much detail at the
outset as I think is reasonable to expect. He left a message on my
answering machine
today in which he said he'd like to talk about some other options or
designs. A
week or so ago I told him by email that I needed specific information such
as dimensions,
types of material to be used, and what not. This was after a contractor who
cannot
do the work because of the distance from his office to the job site told me
that I needed a
"specifications agreement." All I had been given was a "labor and
materials" quote.

I'm also going to need to move the microwave because the countertop and
cabinets underneath it won't let me pull up close enough to it. Our freezer
is on
the top half of our refrigerator-freezer. A side-by-side model might be
better or we can
put a day's worth of frozen stuff on the middle shelf in the refrigerator
every morning

I have assets, but government or non-profit financial help would be a
blessing and a half.
Medicaid is on the horizon, but paying down as much mortgage debt as we
would have
to in order to qualify will destroy my wife's retirement.

Thank you very, very much.


You might be better served by finding an architect to look at the
problem.



Excellent suggestion...



Since you say you live in a condo, you have to come to terms with the
condo board about limits of authority.



Generally, *inside* a condo can be done any way the owner wants, as
long as it (the modifications) do not affect the building's common
integerity, or provide a risk to other owners.

I don't see a properly done wet bath being a problem (I've had wet
baths in the past, they are great, so easy to clean (hose 'em out when
they are built right), and of course very accessible for someone like
the OP.



If the condo board does their job, they will probably want to see
drawings of the proposed
remodel (done by an architect?) - important to read your condo
documents. Even if they don't
require it, I would try to get it, especially in support for hoists,
special plumbing or elect.
adaptations. If there is some unforseen problem, they can't say they
did not know about or
authorize the changes.

My county has a special phone number for any kind of social services or
medical referral. A
similar service might be available in your locale. Larger
nursing homes have social workers who should be knowledgeable about home
adaptations
for folks with physical limitations. If nothing else, a support group
for stroke patients - might
get some good exchange of ideas there

For safety, is there any kind of resilient flooring suitable (in case of
falls)? A phone, alarm or intercom
to use if you are alone and have emergency, fall or power outage.

My city's building department has drawings on file (internet) for all
kinds of construction as it pertains
to the city's facilities. Your city might also - they might also have
drawings for recent residential projects that will steer
you to remodel details, architects, costs and contractors.

Also, the problems arising from a failed design or installation can be
time consuming and expensive.
( My daughter just finished working out a fix with an upstairs owner
after a plumbing leak.)
Finding an architect conversant with condos and accessibility issues
who will take on a relatively small project is not going to be easy in
my experience. However, you will live with the results for a long
time.

You do not mention the kitchen and other spaces. Now is the time to
think about what you will need there.
T



(I think he did mention the kitchen... g)


Good luck.

These may help:

Link to "FLASH Card" list, which is discount for disabled for services,
including
contractors, financial aid, and many others:

http://www.google.com/search?q=null&...utf-8&oe=utf-8

Link to Seattle Human Services agency (Seattle also has the "211" number
for community information
line.

http://www.seattle.gov/humanservices/seniorsdisabled/

In my condo, we have a brand new owner who is handicapped, in
wheelchair. In checking
the property tax record, looks like he pays no property tax on his
residence. News to me )

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