6 Helpful Bathroom Aids for Limited Mobility Patients
To bring quality to the life of people with mobility issues, the first thing you should start with is providing them with advanced bathroom aids. Because it is the riskiest area to use for people having mobility issues.
Following aids will ensure safety and promote comfort for your loved ones. Let us know which are the aids that can help the patients to use the bathroom independently and safely.
1. Non-Slip Mats
Non-slip mats are one of the best ways to subtly transform the bathroom and make it a much safer place for everyday use for people with or without mobility issues. Non-slip mats offer extra security for preventing unwanted falls while you are stepping in/out of the bathroom.
These mats are made of special rubber material and help one to maintain grip and maintain the balance. A waterproof mattress protector doubles up the safety level. Waterproof mattress protector doubles up the grip and the mattresses’ soaking ability. This reduces slipping accidents.
2. Bath Boards
These boards help you to lift the patient’s legs into a bathtub. They also support normal bathing. One can place these bath boards over the bathtub. These boards consist of slats that prevent one from slipping. One just needs to place it properly, and then can trust the board for the further bathing support required.
Additionally, ensure that you buy a board that fits your bathtub’s measurements. Only then, can you place it perfectly and rely on it while bathing. There are various materials you can consider, including wood, molded plastic, coated metal, or a padded option.
3. Bath Steps
Bath steps are a great addition if one needs a little help getting into/outside the bathtub but do not want to build the steps permanently in the bathroom. The bath steps come in a different range of sizes. These provide the patient with a helping hand while they struggle with balance issues. Make sure you choose the proper size, material, and design, so the step will not slip while in use.
4. Grab Rails
Grab rails are a common and most helpful addition to any bathroom or particularly to the home itself. These rails are handy and easy to fix. Grab rails provide the extra support for tricky movements like getting out or lowering yourself into the bathtub. It also saves you from accidents like slipping in the bathroom.
These rails provide support and independence to the patients. Grab rails should be bought in a range of styles, materials, and sizes depending on the patient’s exact requirements.
5. Bath Benches
A bath bench, also known as a transfer bench, is a bathroom accessory that helps the elderly to get into the bathtub. It provides a safe and stable seat in the bathtub, and you can use this bench to even get into the bathtub. Many designs also come with a built-in handle for extra support.
6. Bath Hoists
These aids differ from bath lifts as they raise the patient’s body from above rather than lifting it from below. These aids are more expensive than bath lifts. However, it can be worth it as they raise one high enough that they do not need to lift their legs to the bath rim. You can install a bath hoist that fixes to your floor, with an appropriate design that still lifts the patient up to the appropriate and required height with ease.
Another option here is to affix the bath hoist to the ceiling. For patients with limited knee mobility or hip issues, ceiling fixing is a great option. Depending on the bathroom space and requirements, you can find a bath hoist fixing that works best for your loved ones.
We hope you found this article about different types of bathroom aids helpful. Before installing any bath aid, we recommend you consult a doctor for their suggestion, as they know the patient’s requirements and a situation like no one. Small settings like installing a toilet seat with handles, shower support bars, etc., can reduce many accidents. Furthermore, aids like toilet seats with handles come in various types. Thus, while buying the aids, make sure you keep the bathroom measurements and patient’s requirements in mind.
