Lifetime Homes
Criterion 10
Accessible WC and potential shower
What is required?
All homes should have a wheelchair accessible WC on the entrance level and drainage available for an accessible shower if required.
Why is this important?
If the home has a wheelchair accessible entrance level WC then everybody who may be in the home – whether living there, or visiting, can use a toilet.
Providing drainage for a future accessible shower means that if accessible washing facilities are needed by the household in the future (perhaps in connection with Criterion 9 above) then this can be provided by a simple low cost adaptation (provision of electric shower unit and some tiling) without messy and disruptive building work.
A member of the household not able to use stairs for a time (perhaps following a hip operation) can then have sleeping space (Criterion 9) and toilet/washing facilities (this Criterion) on the entrance level. The toilet and showering facilities on the entrance level may, in any case, be very helpful for a family regardless of any particular need.