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Within the UK we live in an aging population, with 16% of UK residents aged over 65 - a figure that is continuing to grow. In 2005, the number of people aged 85 and over increased by 64,000 people, to reach a record amount of 1.2million. According to the Department for Work and Pensions there are also around 10 million people registered disabled in the UK, all with a wide range of different needs. 6.4 million of these people are classed as those who have difficulty with mobility. Many of these are arthritis sufferers, highlighting the need for more thought and consideration with specification and showing the importance of inclusive design in the UK home - the bathroom is no exception.

Many solutions on the market for less-able users are institutional in appearance - these ‘semi disabled’ products are very expensive and carry significant stigma.

There are now a number of inclusively designed showering solutions available which offer easy access to all, whilst still being stylish. This is ideal for developers looking to include products which are inclusive of all user groups, so nobody is isolated and their properties will appeal to all.

Wetrooms can be an excellent solution. They are a sought-after modern look, making them ideal for a family home, but they are also inclusively designed. Wetrooms allow for completely level access and provide door-less entry, eliminating awkward handles and the step-up, which can be such a problem for arthritis sufferers.

There is a wide range of choice when it comes to wetrooms, you can opt to have a standard shaped enclosure installed straight-to-floor - for that more traditional showering experience, you can choose to simply tank out the room and install a wetroom panel to act as a water deflector - this can be positioned as near to or as far away from the wall as required, or you can simply tank out the whole room and install a shower valve; turning the entire bathroom into a wetroom.

Walk-in enclosures are also another alternative. Like wetrooms they offer entry which eliminates awkward doors and handles. There are a range of shapes and sizes of walk-ins available, from smaller more compact ones, to the larger bath replacement style.

Low-level shower trays are a perfect solution for the less able market, they are stylish and designed for the fashion market, yet with inclusive design in mind. They offer a minimal step-up into the enclosure. Low-level trays are usually around 55mm high; however some can be installed to offer even lower access. You can cut away the floorboards and install the tray directly onto the beams and then tile up to it- thus near level access is attained. They offer similar benefits to a wetroom, yet give the reassurance and ease of installation associated with a tray.

With such a wide range of options on the market, you can now install some of the most practical products, which allow easy access for all user groups, yet would also be an aesthetic centrepiece of any bathroom.

Developers can now specify the same enclosure across all their properties, content that it will sit just as comfortably in a less able or elderly person’s bathroom as it would in an able-bodied 25 year olds bathroom. No longer is the less able market viewed as Doc M packs and grab rails. It is now time to focus on inclusive living that appeals to all.