A Guide to the Different Bath Aids Available for the Elderly or Disabled
Everyone should have the right to be able to maintain their personal hygiene through regular showering or bathing. Unfortunately, for some this is difficult to manage due to age or a disability that prevents them from easily climbing into or out of the bath, or standing in the shower. Luckily, there is a huge range of shower and bath aids available to help with everything from turning tight taps to getting out of the bath easily. For those who are generally able to shower or bathe themselves and just want a lending hand, small daily living aids such as suction cup rails are cheap to buy and will provide that extra bit of support and stability that can inspire confidence to use the bathroom alone. Plus, suction cup bars can be removed when not in use, so they are the perfect choice for those who have elderly parents visiting for example, and do not want to install permanent fixtures in their bathroom.
Easy tap turners are great, basic bath aids that make it easy for frail people to turn taps on and off easily, by providing an extra long, easy to grip handle. They can also be bought in red and blue colours to be instantly recognised as hot and cold taps. A bath mat is another removable bath aid that provides extra grip, allowing you to enjoy a bath without worrying about slipping. Long handled washing sponges are yet another small but highly useful item, especially for those who find it difficult to bend down, as they can be used to clean the legs and feet whilst being seated normally. Finally, pressure responsive sink plugs are another small yet beneficial bathroom aid.
These low priced gadgets that can save you a fortune if you tend to forget to turn taps off, as they will automatically release water from the sink or bath if it is filled too deep, preventing flood damage to the house. They can even be bought with heat responsive covers so that they change colour above a certain temperature, alerting you to the fact that the water might be too hot. However, some people may need more help than just a suction cup rail or even a fixed metal bath rail can provide. In these cases, there is still a wealth of excellent bath aids available that can really help to make your day to day life easier and more enjoyable. Take bath lifts for example. These battery powered chairs sit at a normal height and then lower you gently down into the bath, and back up again afterwards. They are perfect in particular for wheelchair users who can simply move across from one seat to the other.
For total security, be sure to choose a chair that has a built in mechanism that prevents it from lowering down if there is not enough power left to bring it back up again afterwards. Bath lifts can even be found in non permanent versions too if other, more able bodied people will be using the same bath tub. Some people, however, prefer to shower rather than bathe, and may be unable to stand, or are afraid of slipping if they do. Bath aids are not the only types of daily livings aids available, there are plenty of shower aids too such as perching stools that allow the user to sit comfortably in a waterproof chair whilst in the shower.
Fold down wall seats are also available that can be installed in showers that will also be used by those able to stand, and who will find it inconvenient to move a large chair in and out of the shower regularly. For those unable to stand, wheeled shower chairs are also available. Much like a simple wheelchair, these waterproof seats allow the user to sit down and be wheeled by a carer or relative into the shower room and under the shower. In fact, washing aids for bed ridden people are even available such as inflatable hair washing sinks that let you keep your hair in healthy, clean condition even if you are confined to a bed.
These are just some of the many shower and bath aids available to those who need them. A quick search online or a visit to your local store will give you many more options, plus general daily living aids for use in rooms other than the bathroom. If you are disabled, or buying for someone who is, be sure to read up on disability benefits before making any purchases as you may be entitled to VAT exemption.
Easy tap turners are great, basic bath aids that make it easy for frail people to turn taps on and off easily, by providing an extra long, easy to grip handle. They can also be bought in red and blue colours to be instantly recognised as hot and cold taps. A bath mat is another removable bath aid that provides extra grip, allowing you to enjoy a bath without worrying about slipping. Long handled washing sponges are yet another small but highly useful item, especially for those who find it difficult to bend down, as they can be used to clean the legs and feet whilst being seated normally. Finally, pressure responsive sink plugs are another small yet beneficial bathroom aid.
These low priced gadgets that can save you a fortune if you tend to forget to turn taps off, as they will automatically release water from the sink or bath if it is filled too deep, preventing flood damage to the house. They can even be bought with heat responsive covers so that they change colour above a certain temperature, alerting you to the fact that the water might be too hot. However, some people may need more help than just a suction cup rail or even a fixed metal bath rail can provide. In these cases, there is still a wealth of excellent bath aids available that can really help to make your day to day life easier and more enjoyable. Take bath lifts for example. These battery powered chairs sit at a normal height and then lower you gently down into the bath, and back up again afterwards. They are perfect in particular for wheelchair users who can simply move across from one seat to the other.
For total security, be sure to choose a chair that has a built in mechanism that prevents it from lowering down if there is not enough power left to bring it back up again afterwards. Bath lifts can even be found in non permanent versions too if other, more able bodied people will be using the same bath tub. Some people, however, prefer to shower rather than bathe, and may be unable to stand, or are afraid of slipping if they do. Bath aids are not the only types of daily livings aids available, there are plenty of shower aids too such as perching stools that allow the user to sit comfortably in a waterproof chair whilst in the shower.
Fold down wall seats are also available that can be installed in showers that will also be used by those able to stand, and who will find it inconvenient to move a large chair in and out of the shower regularly. For those unable to stand, wheeled shower chairs are also available. Much like a simple wheelchair, these waterproof seats allow the user to sit down and be wheeled by a carer or relative into the shower room and under the shower. In fact, washing aids for bed ridden people are even available such as inflatable hair washing sinks that let you keep your hair in healthy, clean condition even if you are confined to a bed.
These are just some of the many shower and bath aids available to those who need them. A quick search online or a visit to your local store will give you many more options, plus general daily living aids for use in rooms other than the bathroom. If you are disabled, or buying for someone who is, be sure to read up on disability benefits before making any purchases as you may be entitled to VAT exemption.
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