4 Shower Solutions For Elderly And Disabled

By Author: Derry Hall
Total Articles: 115
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Taking showers is a process to refresh your mind and body. However, the danger of using showers with limited mobility can lead to severe conditions. Shower solutions can provide a safe, convenient, and comfortable alternative to a traditional bathtub. The danger of stepping into a bathtub can be eliminated through shower solutions.

While remodeling the bathroom to accommodate the requirements of the elderly or people with restricted mobility, it is vital to consider their long-term needs. And knowing below shower solutions can help you know what is best for your loved ones.

1. Bed Baths

People who are bed-bound and cannot get out of bed or move much find it difficult to take showers regularly. However, in any situation, maintaining hygiene is very important. Therefore, the bed bath, commonly known as a “sponge bath,” is often the only option for people with restricted mobility. This bath can be taken in the bed itself. Thus, this solution is the best way to clean the disabled’s body without making them walk into the shower. Even the caregiver can help the patient with the bed baths.

There ...
... are two types of bed baths:

Complete bed bath - cleaning the entire body partial bed bath
Partial bed bath - cleaning only the face, underarms, hand, leg, and genitals/perineal area.

2. Shower Chairs

This is a versatile solution for people with significant balance or mobility issues. One can use these shower chairs for bathing conveniently. You can use a shower chair to your bathing set up in the below ways:

Fit them as a pull-down option from the shower wall
Build them into the tub or shower as part of a bathroom renovation
Place a shower chair stand on the tub or on the shower floor so that the shower water can fall straight on the person sitting there

There are different chairs available for different mobility issues. Varieties include wall mounted shower seats, foldable shower chairs, rolling shower chairs, etc. Additionally, you should also include the space factor before making any decision. For instance, a wall-mounted shower seat with foldable settings would take the least space. While the floor-built shower chair might engage more space since it is non-movable.

3. Wall Mounted Shower Seat

The wall-mounted chairs are made up of a quality stainless steel frame. You can also choose a wall-supported seat for a sleek look; another option is choosing a chair with folding legs for extra support. Most wall-mounted shower seats are available with a white and thick padded seat to provide a comfortable phenolic slatted top or teak to provide durability.

4. Portable Showers

Portable showers, also known as roll-in showers, barrier-free showers, and portable wheelchair showers. It is useful for people who are unable to use a traditional bathroom. Here, the best part is that you can set up a washing area in any part of the house and include privacy curtains. This is the most comfortable solution for people with wheelchairs or any other mobility issues. There are also portable solar showers available as another option.

5. Walk-In Showers

Walk-in showers have a wide array of options for the disabled and the elderly. You can customize this solution as per your convenience by including your specific needs. You can even convert your existing bathtub and shower combo into a walk-in shower.

If one wants to have any other shower then they will need a caretaker to help them step over a curb or into a tub. But a walk-in shower allows the elderly to do that independently. Let us look at its different benefits:

Convenient to use for all ages
Make your bathroom feel spacious
Easy to clean than standard showers
Adds a sense of luxury
Great customization options

Moreover, to know more about what you can add to a walk-in shower, you can set up a meeting with any company specializing in building walk-in showers for people with all types of disabilities. These company representatives will come to your home, measure your space, understand your limitations, and that is it. They will offer you the best solution to solve your bathing problem by adding specifications to your walk-in showers.

Wrapping Up

If your loved one needs any assistance while bathing, then you should buy shower equipment and get them installed in the existing bathroom. You can even add other safety equipment like shower chairs, tub rails, grab rails, commode chairs, bath mattresses, etc. It will level up the safety against slippery floors and save from falling off the balance.

Here, commode chairs also come in various types for you to choose from according to your requirements. And you can fit these equipment in any shower options like a wet room, portable shower custom shower, walk-in shower stall, etc.

Before purchasing any equipment, do not forget to discuss it with a healthcare professional asking for their medical advice.

Essential Aids provides disability aids, mobility equipment and rehabilitation products to people in the UK.