How Bathroom Mobility Aids can Help

By Handy Healthcare Staff - 2006-08-30 - Viewed 2951 times. Find more articles like this in our Disability Products category.

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If your bath time is becoming a struggle, then why not choose from a selection of bathroom mobility aids to make bathing more enjoyable again. Many disability aids are available to help you get in and out of the bath, and help with bathing once in the bath or shower.  You are sure to be able to find something to meet your requirements, and make bathing more enjoyable again.

Here is a list of ten types of useful bathroom healthcare products.

1. Steps, grab rails and poles are useful for helping you to get in and out of the bath. Steps can be built up to the correct height for you so that getting in and out of the bath is no longer as difficult. Grab rails and poles can be fitted to the bathroom walls or the floor to provide support when getting in and out of the bath or shower and so reduce the risk of slipping.  It is recommended that grab rails and poles are professionally fitted by a qualified tradesperson to ensure that they are properly and safely installed.

2. A set of tap turners can make life easier for those with a weak grip.  There are various types available to fit different shapes of tap.  They fit to the taps, and provide more leverage making it is easier to turn the tap on and off.

3. A bathlift is another mobility product that can be very useful.  It works by electrically lowering and raising the user into and out of the bath.  The rechargeable handset will not lower the bathlift if there is not enough charge left to raise it back up again.  This ensures that the user is not stranded in the bath if the battery runs out. 

4. Bath seats and boards go across the width of the bath, and allow you to sit comfortably in the bath or shower.  These can be easily removed as necessary. Transfer benches allow you to easily transfer from a wheelchair or powerchair for example to the bath or shower.

5.  Bath stools and chairs sit in the bath itself, and are designed to allow you to perch or sit in the bath or shower.  These often have height-adjustable legs so that you can be comfortable and at the right height whilst bathing or showering. 

6.  Bath thermometers change colour with the heat of the water and so ensure that you don’t scald yourself.  These thermometers are also ideal for carers and other healthcare professionals who can see at a glance whether the water is the right temperature or not.

7. Once you are able to get in and out of the bath again, there are other healthcare products that can help you with bathing. So that you don’t have to stretch or reach as far for example, items such as long handled sponges, foot and toe washers, hair washers and flannel straps can make a real difference. These types of bathroom mobility aids don’t absorb water, and so they remain light and easy to use. Bath pillows and pressure relief cushions are also available to help make bathing more comfortable. Shower curtains with a U-shaped cut out for a bath board are available to stop water splashing out of the bath when using a bath board.

8. Reusable waterproof cast and dressing protectors slip over a cast or dressing on arms or legs, and ensure that the cast or dressing doesn’t get wet whilst bathing or showering.

9. Mobility aids such as raised toilet seats, toilet frames and toilet rails can also be of assistance whilst in the bathroom.  A raised toilet seat can be fitted to a normal toilet seat, to raise the overall height of the toilet seat in order to help people with mobility problems. Toilet rails and frames can help by providing something safe and secure to lean on, and so can be beneficial to those who require help standing up or sitting down.

10. Self propelled shower chairs give the user independence.  They are similar to a standard wheelchair, but are water resistant, and may have detachable arm rest and foot plates.

For carers and other healthcare professionals, bathroom mobility products, and other daily living aids can help whilst caring for others, and can perhaps, allow someone who currently needs help, to help themselves.

These are just a few examples of the range and variety of bathroom mobility aids that are available.  Why not see if there’s anything that could make your daily living easier?

For more information about Mobility and Disability Aids, Healthcare Products and Occupational Therapy Supplies, please visit http://www.handyhealthcare.co.uk

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