A shower is a joy for many people but for a disabled or elderly person simply taking a shower can become dangerous or impossible. To limit this danger and enjoy access to the shower that is installed over a bathtub or even where there is a lip to get over at the shower stall, disabled or elderly people can utilise many bath safety products that are on the market.
What bath safety products are available and what do they do?
Bath chairs, shower benches and shower seats
A useful invention for disabled or elderly bathroom users is a well built bath chair, shower bench or shower chair that has the ability to allow some degree of safety during the movement into or out of the tub or into the shower stall and back during the bathing routine
These chairs and benches should be compatible with most bathroom layouts because they are generic in design thereby fitting into most bathrooms. Savings of thousands of dollars can be made as people can continue using their existing bathroom without the expense of remodelling it.
However, many stationary chairs and benches do not remove the risk to the user of poor stability especially when the user suffers from restricted mobility. It is of importance then to choose carefully the aide that will offer the best solution for the user and the caregiver.
For users with restricted mobility and their caregivers these stationary chairs and benches may not offer the best solution and certainly not the highest safety ratings.
Users should consider a transfer system whereby they can transfer from the bed to a seated mobile shower commode chair and then be wheeled without further transfers to the rest room, then shower stall or shower over the bath tub.
A transfer bath chair's ergonomic design allows the user to safely transfer over the side of the bath tub and its unique design means that it does not require any heavy lifting from a caregiver. Once over the tub, the chair enables the user to sit comfortably and maintain their privacy and independence.
A well designed mobile sliding bath chair should have 5" (125mm) wheels and allows a user to be moved safely around the bathroom with access to all bathroom facilities including the toilet, bath tub, shower and vanity while seated in the comfort and safety of the chair.
By providing a way for the user to remain seated during their shower the chair alleviates the risk of slipping in the wet bath tub or on the wet bathroom floor. It also avoids caregivers injuring themselves while lifting the person they are looking after.
A bath chair with a transfer system provides the user (and their family members) with peace of mind that they can bathe safely and with dignity.
The following bath safety products can also provide reasonably priced assistance for disabled or elderly bathroom users, but they do not provide the same level of safety that can be found by using a bath chair with a transfer system.
Grab bars
Grab bars made of either metal or plastic can be installed on any wall in a bathroom and are designed to provide users something to hold onto when they are entering or exiting the bathtub.
Bath stool
A stool placed in the bath can provide the user somewhere to sit while bathing or showering in a bathtub, the elevation this provides can be especially useful for arthritis suffers. However, the user still has to get into and out of the bath tub themselves or by being lifted by a caregiver.
Non skid or slip mats
Bath enamel is notoriously slippery, especially when it is wet. Installing a non slip or non skid mat in the bath can reduce this. Non slip or skid mats on the floor beside the bath can also decrease the risk of injury on exiting the bath.
What bath safety products are available and what do they do?
Bath chairs, shower benches and shower seats
A useful invention for disabled or elderly bathroom users is a well built bath chair, shower bench or shower chair that has the ability to allow some degree of safety during the movement into or out of the tub or into the shower stall and back during the bathing routine
These chairs and benches should be compatible with most bathroom layouts because they are generic in design thereby fitting into most bathrooms. Savings of thousands of dollars can be made as people can continue using their existing bathroom without the expense of remodelling it.
However, many stationary chairs and benches do not remove the risk to the user of poor stability especially when the user suffers from restricted mobility. It is of importance then to choose carefully the aide that will offer the best solution for the user and the caregiver.
For users with restricted mobility and their caregivers these stationary chairs and benches may not offer the best solution and certainly not the highest safety ratings.
Users should consider a transfer system whereby they can transfer from the bed to a seated mobile shower commode chair and then be wheeled without further transfers to the rest room, then shower stall or shower over the bath tub.
A transfer bath chair's ergonomic design allows the user to safely transfer over the side of the bath tub and its unique design means that it does not require any heavy lifting from a caregiver. Once over the tub, the chair enables the user to sit comfortably and maintain their privacy and independence.
A well designed mobile sliding bath chair should have 5" (125mm) wheels and allows a user to be moved safely around the bathroom with access to all bathroom facilities including the toilet, bath tub, shower and vanity while seated in the comfort and safety of the chair.
By providing a way for the user to remain seated during their shower the chair alleviates the risk of slipping in the wet bath tub or on the wet bathroom floor. It also avoids caregivers injuring themselves while lifting the person they are looking after.
A bath chair with a transfer system provides the user (and their family members) with peace of mind that they can bathe safely and with dignity.
The following bath safety products can also provide reasonably priced assistance for disabled or elderly bathroom users, but they do not provide the same level of safety that can be found by using a bath chair with a transfer system.
Grab bars
Grab bars made of either metal or plastic can be installed on any wall in a bathroom and are designed to provide users something to hold onto when they are entering or exiting the bathtub.
Bath stool
A stool placed in the bath can provide the user somewhere to sit while bathing or showering in a bathtub, the elevation this provides can be especially useful for arthritis suffers. However, the user still has to get into and out of the bath tub themselves or by being lifted by a caregiver.
Non skid or slip mats
Bath enamel is notoriously slippery, especially when it is wet. Installing a non slip or non skid mat in the bath can reduce this. Non slip or skid mats on the floor beside the bath can also decrease the risk of injury on exiting the bath.
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