Disabled wet rooms for elderly people: features, costs and grants

What is a wet room, and why does it suit people with limited mobility?

A wet room is a bathroom where the floor is waterproofed (tanked) and laid to fall gently to a drain, so the shower area is part of the floor. There is no bath side and no shower tray to step over. For an elderly or disabled person, that means:

• Walking or wheeling straight into the shower, with no step or lip.
• Room for a shower seat, a commode chair or a carer to help.
• Fewer places to trip or catch a foot.
• A room that is easy to keep clean.

If someone is struggling to get in and out of a traditional bathroom with a bath, a disabled wet room or a level-access shower is often the bathroom adaptation that lets them bathe safely and independently at home. An accessible wet room is a practical bathroom solution tailored to meet each person's mobility needs, and it improves accessibility for carers and wheelchair users.

Essential safety features of a disabled wet room

The aim is creating a safe room designed to reduce the risk of slips and falls, for disabled people and older people alike. Each fixture should be strategically placed for ease of use.

Level-access floor

The floor should be flush from the door to the drain. A linear drain along the wall usually gives the gentlest slope, which is easier for wheels and walking frames.

Slip-resistant flooring

Choose flooring with a low slip risk when wet. Walls and Floors explains that a pendulum test value (PTV) of 36 or more is low risk, and the HSE recommends 36 or more (Walls and Floors). Safety vinyl and textured porcelain both work. Small mosaic tiles in the shower area give extra grip through the grout lines.

Grab rails

Fit grab rails (grab bars) by the toilet, in the shower and by the door, fixed into solid wall or proper backing so they take full body weight.

A fold-down shower seat

A wall-mounted seat folds up out of the way when not needed. Place it within easy reach of the shower controls.

A thermostatic shower

A thermostatic valve holds the temperature steady if someone runs a tap elsewhere, which cuts the risk of scalding. For baths, the Building Regulations have limited hot water to 48°C in new homes in England and Wales since 2010 (H&V News).

Easy controls and taps

Lever taps, large shower controls and a slide rail that lets the shower head move up and down suit people with weaker grip or who shower seated.

A comfort-height toilet

A slightly taller toilet, with a rail beside it, makes sitting down and standing up easier.

Contrast and lighting

Contrasting colours between the floor, walls, rails and toilet seat help people with poor eyesight or dementia see where things are. Bright, even lighting helps too.

A safe door

A door that opens outwards, or a sliding door, can still be opened if someone falls against it on the inside.

What is the best bathroom flooring for an elderly wet room?

The wet room floor has to cut the risk of slips without being hard to clean. Safety vinyl is warm, cushioned and grippy, and runs up the wall as one waterproof sheet. Porcelain tiles look more like a standard bathroom: choose R11 to R12 for the room and R13 or mosaic in the shower area (Walls and Floors). Underfloor heating helps the floor dry quickly and keeps the room warm.

How much space does a disabled wet room need?

There is no single minimum, because good bathroom design suits the person's unique needs. A wet room can work in a small bathroom because there is no tray or bath, but the room needs space to turn, to sit and, if needed, for a carer or a wheelchair. An occupational therapist can advise on the space someone needs, including wheelchair access.

Drainage and waterproofing

A wet room only works if the waterproofing and falls are right. The whole floor and the shower walls are tanked with a membrane, and the floor is laid to fall to the drain. On timber floors, a pre-formed tray or former is set between the joists. A glass screen keeps the toilet and basin drier.

How much does a wet room for an elderly person cost?

Checkatrade's Doncaster cost data puts a disabled bathroom or shower installation at £2,450 to £6,950, and a wet room at £4,650 to £10,912 (Checkatrade). MyBuilder's UK guide puts a wet room at £4,000 to £10,000, with waterproofing £500 to £1,200 of that (MyBuilder).

Building work and equipment for people who are disabled or have a long-term illness can be zero-rated for VAT, but the relief does not apply because of age alone (GOV.UK).

Will the council pay for a wet room?

It may. A Disabled Facilities Grant from the council can pay for changes such as a level-access shower or grab rails, up to £30,000 in England (GOV.UK). The council must be satisfied the work is necessary and appropriate, and your income and savings may mean you pay part of the cost. Don't start work before the grant is approved, or you might not get it.

In Doncaster, you start with a financial assessment from City of Doncaster Council, which you can request on 01302 737391 (City of Doncaster Council). We can quote against the occupational therapist's recommendations.

Walk-in bath, walk-in shower or wet room?

A walk-in bath has a door in its side, but you have to sit inside while it fills and empties, so most people with mobility issues find a shower easier. A wet room gives the most space and fully level access. A level-access walk-in shower costs less and can suit someone who still walks steadily. See wet room vs walk-in shower for a side-by-side comparison, and our accessible bathrooms and wet rooms pages for what we fit.

Frequently asked questions