Our classic customers

Meet our characters who are typical of the people we help…

Gary, 67, who’s had a stroke

When Gary returned home from hospital, life after experiencing a stroke was quite different. Simple tasks such as getting dressed or making a cup of tea presented challenges as he had weakness down his left side. And getting in and out of his standard bath was now unfortunately impossible. In fact, his whole bathroom had become inaccessible and unsafe for Gary as he was not steady on his feet and could be prone to tripping or slipping. This was a big worry for Gary and his wife Linda, so they needed an alternative solution that was both practical and gave peace of mind.

Linda, ever the problem-solver, began researching online and came across G360 Bathrooms. She read they were specialists in easy access bathrooms for people with more complex conditions so gave them a call. One of their friendly Assessors came out and meet them both at home. Various designs were discussed, and, in the end, they went for the best of both worlds, a bath with a powered transfer seat and a level access shower. As Gary and Linda were lucky to have a spacious bathroom, they decided to make the most of it.

Daily living after a stroke can be difficult as your movement, balance, strength and thinking can be restricted. Gary had all of these in varying degrees so when his G360 bathroom was fitted, he was instantly given greater independence. He knew this space, along with his Alera bath, would support him now and in years to come. The bathroom was future proofed in such a way that if he ever needed a wheelchair, there was plenty of room to move around. However, the main benefit was his bath which now had a powered bather transfer seat.

This seat lifts, rotates and lowers him into and out of the water, without having to step in and out. ‘It’s brilliant, it’s a game changer!’ says Gary. There is no more stress about trying to grip onto surfaces or lean on slippery surfaces, his bath does all the work. Linda helps him on to the seat, puts the armrests down and buckles up the seat belt. And off he goes slowly and smoothly. The worry of Linda straining her back has gone especially with the seat’s unique powered leg lifter.

The first time Gary used his Alera, he was so excited as suddenly he could enjoy soaking in the bath without any worries. It was the best feeling in the world and improved his mood no end.

Now several months on, Gary is progressing well with his rehab and his bathroom from G360 Bathrooms is playing a key part. He sums up by recommending this specialist provider to everyone who’s had a stroke and needs to bathe safely: “If you want to take control of your life and rebuild your mobility, I believe you need an accessible bathroom at home. This makes bathing a pleasure and means you can focus on keeping clean and strengthening your mental and physical health. Thank goodness my wife found G360 Bathrooms, my road to recovery is now a little easier.”

Shirley, 58, who’s got multiple sclerosis

The simple task of getting in and out of the shower had become hard for Shirley. She’d had multiple sclerosis for many years; however, it had got worse in the last few months. Some days were better than others but the worry of falling, losing her balance and hurting herself, began to overshadow everyday life. Shirley’s daughter, Emma, could see the toll it was taking on her mum especially in the bathroom. So, she needed to find a way to make showering easier and safer. Emma saw a post on Facebook that explained about G360 Bathrooms and how they help people with disabilities – so she called the company to see if they could find a solution.

MS is an unpredictable condition that affects people in lots of different ways. In Shirley’s case, it was mobility and strength she was struggling with. On bad days she would use a wheelchair to get around the house but that would mean no safe access to a shower. When a friendly expert from G360 Bathrooms visited Shirley’s home she was able to explain her everyday difficulties. Emma popped in for a cup of tea to meet the bathroom expert at the same time so together. She and her mum gave G360 Bathrooms the complete picture. Everything that was said was noted and following this thorough free of charge assessment, a level access wet room was recommended with grab rails and a folding shower stool. It sounded perfect so Shirley gave the go ahead.

“The best thing about talking to G360 Bathrooms was that I never felt any pressure” says Shirley. “Their guy listened to me and understood what I needed, it was obvious he had lots of experience of helping people with MS. I never felt sold to and in the end, I was so pleased with the wet room they installed. They did it all, from start to finish, without the worry of dealing with lots of different tradespeople which was perfect for me as my condition makes me easily stressed.”

The wet room was designed so Shirley could seamlessly roll her wheelchair into position. She could then side transfer onto a wall mounted, folding shower stool without the risk of slipping. Shirley could then move her wheelchair away and enjoy an invigorating shower whilst seated. G360 Bathrooms installed an extra-long hose so washing was simple and strain free. The flooring was anti-slip and grab rails were positioned considerately for added safety. Every detail was carefully thought through so Shirley has peace of mind now and in the future.

As six months have passed since installation, Shirley has found her wet room helps ease the symptoms of MS. Being able to shower in a supported space means her hygiene and well-being are improved. The anxiety of going into the bathroom has gone. It gives her a sense of freedom as she can shower whenever she likes which helps with her sleep routine. “G360 Bathrooms have helped to enhance my life” says Shirley. “Not only with independence, but with many specific aspects of my life like struggling to sleep. Now I am relaxed after a shower in the evening and feel less stiff in the morning. I have the perfect bathroom for MS and feel more confident that whatever the future holds, I can continue living in the house I love.”

Helen, 82, living with dementia

Helen’s dementia had got to a stage where she was forgetting things. She had trouble remembering the steps of getting ready, and sometimes she would leave the tap running, or forget which way to turn the shower on. On one occasion, she’d even become disoriented in the bathroom, unsure whether she had already washed her hands or brushed her teeth. The stress this caused Helen and her husband Geoff, and their adult children who lived some distance away, had to be eliminated so peace of mind could return for all. It was clear an accessible bathroom would help and solve the risk of slips, trips and falls which was equally worrying.

Talking to friends down the road, Helen’s son Gareth found out about G360 Bathrooms. They had helped an elderly couple in a similar situation, so he phoned this specialist bathroom provider. They sent a product expert who clearly had knowledge of dementia-friendly design, and thoroughly discussed all options with Helen, Geoff and their son. As a bonus, he also highlighted the input occupational therapists have in designs from G360 Bathrooms so all the features are clinically approved to help. They chatted about the design options, and the expert took notes and measurements and then organised for the ideal bathroom specification to be recommended.

On receipt of the estimate, Helen and Geoff were very impressed. A friendly member of the G360 Bathrooms team phoned and took them through every aspect of the quote and explained why specific sanitaryware had been recommended. One of the highlights was an Ezion bath with unique powered seat and leg lifter. This meant Helen would no longer have to get in and out of her standard bath, she could be lifted, rotated and lowered in a comfortable and supported seated position. The bath could be fitted with temperature controls and autofill so the worry of scalding or overflowing were a thing of the past. Around the bathroom, the G360 designers had also included a range of dementia-friendly features in the design. It was clear to Helen and Geoff after the consultation, they had to give G360 Bathrooms the go ahead.

Nearly a year on since fitting, Helen and Geoff’s dementia friendly bathroom continues to prove invaluable. The installation of clear, contrasting colours in the bathroom and a shower door frame that is easy to spot means safety is improved. A large well-lit mirror and even lighting throughout help with Helen’s orientation and a signal colour loo seat means locating the toilet is straightforward. Anti-slip specialist flooring and a level access shower with fast draining ensure Helen has sure footing and feels confident on her own.

These changes had made all the difference, not just in terms of practicality, but in giving Helen a renewed sense of dignity and control over her environment. Gareth and the rest of the family can now rest easier, knowing Helen’s daily routine has become safer and more manageable.

While Helen’s dementia continues to progress, the bathroom remains a space where she can feel at ease. Getting G360 Bathrooms involved has shown the value of choosing a specialist bathroom manufacturer with expertise in dementia friendly design. A diligent approach to considered details has made a huge difference now and will continue to do so in the years to come.