How to Make Your Bath Disabled Friendly

Bathrooms, by their nature, aren’t the most accessible areas of the home when it comes to those with disabilities. To make life easier and restore independence when bathing there are a variety of bathing solutions available. If you are considering installing a bathing solution in your home take a look at the ones mentioned below, there are solutions to suit every budget and requirement, but there are pros and cons to all so careful consideration and informed decision making is key.

Walk in Baths

Walk in baths come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all of them share one attribute; a door. A walk in bath will have some sort of door access point to make struggling to climb in and out of the bath a thing of the past. The position of the door is generally close to the floor to ensure the user doesn’t have to lift the leg more than a few inches from the floor – ideal for patients recovering from a hip or knee replacement.

Walk in baths are designed with the user in mind; safety, comfort and usability are on the top of the list when it comes to the design of this tub. They often include built in seating or a safety rail feature to assist the user during their bathing routine. When the door is shut it creates a water tight seam, therefore you are not restricted to having a shallow bath, simply add more water once you are safely submerged and relax for an independent and stress free bathing experience.

Bath Lifts

Replacing your bath for a model which comprises a door can be a costly bathroom alteration. If your needs are temporary, such as after hip replacement, you may only need a bathing solution in the short term. In this case you may want to consider the addition of a bath lift in your home. A bath lift has the same benefits as a walk in bath in that it allows the individual to get in and out of the bath safely and independently, except this method can be purchased for a fraction of the cost.

Electric bath lifts are a high tech solution to getting in and out of the bath independently. They comprise of a battery powered unit and a hand held device so you are in total control of the speed and rate of decent into your ready and waiting warm bath. The life of the battery varies, but usually lasts for around one week of standard use (bathing once a day), for a full guideline you should consult the manufacturers guide.

Mechanical bath lifts are an electronic free way to get in and out of the bath. They use a mechanical lifting action to hoist you in and out of the water, allowing complete independence and privacy. They are generally cheaper than their electrical counter parts. They use a hydraulic piston to lower the user into the water and when the lift chair makes contact with the bottom of the bath it will lock into position. However when you are ready to get out of the bath you will need to support your own weight for a moment, but it will not drop back down once you have begun lifting as it locks into place at each position during the ascent.

Whatever the case, be sure to charge your batteries regularly to avoid any inconveniences. However most modern electric bath lifts have a warning light and will not function if they don’t have the power to get you both in and out of the bath, so you don’t have to worry about being stuck on the wrong side of the bath! Electric bath lifts are exceptionally easy to use and require minimum effort on the part of the user to restore total independence back into the bathing routine. Whichever type of bath lift you choose, models are available with a side fit or end fit system, meaning that whatever the layout of your bathroom there will be a model ideal for you.

Fixtures and Fittings

You may want to consider the addition of fixtures to your bathroom that work in conjunction with a walk in bath or bath lift, or alternatively they can be used independently to make your bathroom more disability friendly. Of the fixtures on the market today, grab rails are one of the most common. A grab rail provides a reassuring hand hold during all aspects of bathing and due to their variations in shape and size can be placed at strategic points throughout the bathroom as well as in the bathing area.

Grab rails vary in shape, size and colour and many are made with style in mind, meaning they need not stand out from the décor of your bathroom. There are standard white plastic varieties, practical and stylish in their own rights, or a more modern chrome variety as pictured.

For a removable solution there are a variety of bath stools and chairs available, some with backs and some with handles for easy lifting in and out of the shower. These chairs are water proof, usually made from a durable yet lightweight plastic, and have non-slip rubber feet or in some cases suction pads. A bath seat can also be used in the shower and, dependent upon size, can be easily stored in the bathroom.

With all these options available it is easy to overlook the simplest of solutions. The addition of a self-adhesive removable bath/shower matt will add greater stability to slippy surfaces and can be easily removed for cleaning.

Where to find Bathing Aids

When it comes to choosing additions for your bathroom to make it disability friendly you need a supplier you can trust. Stechford Mobility are experts in providing bathroom aids. Their friendly and caring team are on hand to discuss your needs and help find the ideal home solutions. They aim to provide an honestly priced and care-orientated service to all clients. For more information you can visit the Stechford Mobility website or call their friendly customer service team.