Performing usual daily activities, such as taking a bath, can be a real challenge for people with any kind of disability or seniors.
Luckily, a new generation brings up models that can enhance the quality of life for these people.
Take advantage of these improvements and enjoy taking a bath every time you want to.
Bath aids like a walk-in bath for seniors help you to be safer and can assist you with multiple tasks.
From now on, you can forget about the hassle of bathing.
What is even better is that they can be used in your home, a hospital, or a clinical setting.
Your bathroom can turn into a safety hazard, especially if you are a person with disabilities or an elderly person.
However, don’t worry; there are ways to improve safety in your bathroom and protect yourself.
And some extra tips :
- Put slip-resistant rugs in your bathroom
Floor coverings are one of the most common reasons for bathroom falls.
Loose rugs can slip away easily while you are coming out of the tub.
However, if you have slip-resistant or double-tape rugs, you will prevent falls.
- Keep the tub clean
Bathtubs can be very slippery.
It doesn’t matter if you are coming in or coming out of the tub; be careful with the foam.
Ensure the tub is always soap and foam clean, which will counteract slippery steps.
- Bars and rails
If you are unstable while walking and need some extra support, place bars and rails around your bathroom.
Grab bars should be placed around the tub or shower and near the toilet, as they will provide full support for your hands.
Whether you stand or sit down, these rails will help you maintain balance.
- Shower seat or a bench
You no longer have to be afraid if your legs will serve you well during the bath.
A shower seat or a bench enables you to sit under the shower.
This will provide you stability and give you back the nice feeling of the water running down on you.
- Adjustable shower head
This type of shower head allows you to freely maneuver so you can move the shower head in whatever direction you like and minimize unnecessary movements.
What is great about this is that you can use the adjustable shower head with the shower seat or a bench to provide maximum stability while taking a bath.
How to Build a Safer Bathroom
If you are looking for ways to create a safer bathroom, you can take some steps to address this issue.
There is a wide range of bath aids for seniors or handicapped persons.
In this part, we will point out some of the steps to take before building a safer bathroom.
Know where you stand with your budget.
Before heading out to the shop for your new bathroom accessories, consider how much money you have on your account and how much you can spend.
Getting excited over a fabulous, safety bathtub accessory might get you confused.
You would maybe want to spend a little more than you planned.
Safety is important, and finding the accessory that might fulfill your needs would be great.
However, make sure it doesn’t endanger your everyday living.
Be aware of your requirements
Many bathroom accessories look great and have their own function.
As a disabled person or elderly person, you need bathtub aids that match your requirements.
Estimate if some of these bathroom aids would fit your bathroom, as the height, width, or shape are among the crucial factors that determine the purchase.
Ask for durability and effectiveness.
Modified bathroom accessories must do the work.
It doesn’t matter if something looks fancy or expensive if it doesn’t provide you the effectiveness.
Always go for something that meets your requirements and seems like the best efficiency solution at this moment, but also bear in mind the durability of the product.
We will enumerate some of the bath aids for seniors and handicapped bathroom accessories that will prevent any accidents in your bathroom and enable the fulfillment of your safety and hygienic needs.
Bath aids for seniors and shower chairs
Bath and shower chairs are based on handicapped or elderly persons’ bathing needs.
These bathtub accessories provide safe and non-slippery baths or showers.
If you are having a hard time standing under a shower or in a tub, bath and shower chairs are a winner.
These chairs give you the option to adjust the seat height so you can get full comfort.
Extra features include the backrest, armrest, footrest, and padded seat – cut out or opening one.
However, if you don’t feel like using a back and armrest chair, you can choose among the backless chairs.
It is up to you and your needs to pick one of the bath and shower chairs, depending on which one suits your needs best.
One thing is certain—bath and shower chairs are a practical and economical solution for handicapped people or elders.
How do you choose the perfect bath and shower chair?
Chairs for persons weighing more than 350 pounds
If you are more than 350 pounds, you should go for a heavy-duty chair.
It provides you with additional support and stability, as it has a wider base and a larger seat.
These super-strong chairs with added comfort offers you the ability to adjust the height.
If you have such needs, there is a variety of heavy-duty chairs with wheels for rolling.
Additional arm support is needed
Handicapped, infirm, and elderly people who need additional arm support should choose a bath chair with arms.
There won’t be any more tension in your arms while taking a bath, as this chair provides you with extra support and stability.
Wheelchairs
A portable, rolling shower chair is a perfect solution for persons who are unable to reach the bathroom themselves and need additional help.
Taking a bath will be easy for you, as this wheelchair provides everything you need for a proper bath.
If you have a roll-in shower, this rolling chair lets you roll into the shower while you sit.
In case you need a toilet, this rolling chair can be easily rolled over to the toilet.
All-in-one commode chairs offer you all the benefits in one chair.
It has a removable armrest and footrest, a padded seat, and a bucket for commode use.
Bathtub transfer benches
Bathtub benches are a perfect fit for persons who have difficulties stepping into a shower or a tub.
This way, you can sit on a branch before getting into the tub.
The seating surface extends beyond the edge of a tub, so you can easily slide into it.
Depending on your needs, you can adjust the height of the sliding or the transfer branch and reverse it to the left or to the right.
You can choose between sliding and non-sliding benches.
Sliding benches provide a sitting surface if you have difficulty standing under the shower or in a bathtub and cannot easily step into them.
Most of the sliding bench models offer you a variety of slide lengths.
These benches come with a padded seat and swivel seat, and some of them have a seat with a cut-out for your personal washing needs.
One thing that is important to know here is that you need the assistance of someone with the sliding.
This person would help you to slide the seat across the rails.
Non-sliding benches offer you almost the same features as sliding benches.
The only difference here is that non-sliding benches, as their name points out, don’t have an option of seat sliding.
Some of the benches provide a heavy-duty frame, which means it can take a higher weight capacity.
Bathtub poles and grabs
Bathtub poles and grabs are perfect for people who have difficulty stepping in and out of a tub or shower.
These bathtub aids give you additional support for your whole body.
Holding onto a towel holder is completely unsafe and avoid doing this.
Bathtub poles are designed to can endure the weight.
Bathtub lifts
They operate on a battery mechanism.
You can lift or lower the chair depending on your needs.
One of the advantages of the lift chair is the option to use it as a bathtub transfer bench also.
These handicap bathtub accessories enable you comfort while bathing, as the seats are padded, and the chair provides a backrest.
Try this article for more information on Bath Lifts
Showerheads
Shower kits can help you control the direction of the water flow.
This bathtub accessory is a perfect fit for bathrooms without a shower curtain.
There are different showerhead models made for special purposes.
You can choose between a handheld shower, sprayers, tub spouts, or an inflatable bathtub.
The inflatable bathtub is a perfect solution for bathing and/or washing the hair of people who have difficulty getting out of bed.
In other words, the inflatable bathtub gives you an option to bring the bathing pleasures into the bed.
Bath Aids for Seniors: Conclusion
Showering doesn’t have to be an exhausting activity anymore.
Bath aids for seniors and handicapped bathtub accessories provide you with all the support and comfort you need.
These help you to maintain your personal hygiene in the conditions of the ultimate safety.
Stay safe!