Most of us enjoy a relaxing soak in the bath and may feel frustrated if this pleasure is taken away. It may become difficult to get in or out of the bath, or the bathroom itself may become inaccessible, particularly if it is upstairs. In most cases these difficulties can be overcome by using one or more of the many items of bathing equipment currently available, and/or by making alterations to the house.
About your bath- Material and size
If you want to install any equipment in to your bath you will need to know firstly if it is strong enough.
If the bath is metal it can take any equipment but if acrylic you may need to check with the supplier if the aid will be suitable.
Then take some details
1. the length of the bath – around 1700 mm should be enough to allow for any bath equipment
2. the width- this will then guide you as to which aid will be suitable for you
3. Where the existing hand rails are if any
4. Metal or Acrylic bath
Grab rails, bath board and non slip mats
At the most basic level where you can get in and out but can do with a little extra help.
The best thing to do is to add grab rails firstly one on the wall and secondly you can get rails that attach to the bath edge.
Then you can get a Bath board. This is a waterproof board that fits across the width of the bath. This enables you to get in to the bath by sitting on to the end then swinging your feet in and sliding across the board and then holding the edge of the bath lower yourself in. These bath boards can be accompanied by a bath seat, which you slide down on to. Or for a cheaper flexible option you can buy a cheap small plastic footstool, which you slide down on to.
It is also very helpful to have a non-slip mat on the bottom of your bath.
When measuring for your bath board it is essential you measure the correct length- if too long and you sit on the end it may flip up, too short it may have insufficient support.
To get out of the bath you push back up on to the small plastic stool then remove that and then bend one or both knees as much as you can and push yourself back up on to the bath board. Then swing your legs over and get out.
Bath seats
These can be used in conjunction with a bath board and they provide a lower sitting platform. You still need some arm strength to push yourself up on to the bath board to get out but the seat allows you to sit lower in to the water than on a board. If you have a carer with you then you can get them to take both away while you have a good soak and stretch out in the water. When you come to get out you then reverse the process which takes some effort on the arms to push back up on to the seat. Try and help this by bending one or both of your knees as well to help push you backwards.
Bath Rails
Installing grab rails in the correct locations can also aid getting in and out of the bath.
If you are uncertain where to place them you can request an assessment by the NHS OT department.
They will then install them correctly for you.
If you are getting it done yourself choose rails that have a ribbed or textured surface to give good grip with wet hands.
Horizontal and inclined rails
When standing from a sitting position in the bath you may find it helpful to hold one horizontal wall-fixed grab rail (placed above the bath) with one hand and use the outer rim of the bath with the other hand to push against. There needs to be a 50-60mm clearance between the wall and all handrails.
A rail can be fixed horizontally to the wall 75-100mm above the bath rim (see dimension c in diagram). It should start 200mm from the tap end of the bath (dimension a) Part of the rail can be fixed at an angle of 13° upwards towards the head end of the bath to provide an inclined support.
The horizontal rail can be used in combination with a bath board. The user may benefit from holding the rail while they sit on the board, then turn and lift their legs in and out of the bath.
A vertical rail for standing in the bath–
A rail (at least 500mm long) can be fixed vertically on the wall, 600mm from the tap end of the bath (dimension b in above diagram), with its lower end 200mm above the bath rim . This is most likely to be of use when stood in the bath (perhaps whilst showering) or when standing from a bath board over the bath.
Cross-bath rails
These fix to the wall behind the taps and rest on the bath rims. When sitting in the bath, the rail will be directly in front of the person at about chest height.
The rail should only have downward pressure applied, so the weight is taken by the bath rim, it is not designed for the user to pull on to sit down or stand up from the base of the bath. You must be sure that the wall is strong enough to take the weight of this type of rail.
What if none of the above is enough?
Then you can consider
1. Changing the bath to a walk in shower
2. Changing the bath to the type of bath with a door although this still has quite a high step to get in to it.
3. Or finally and much more simple you can find a type of bath lift
Bath lifts
Most of these are battery operated and will need to be put on charge between bath times.
Some will allow you to go deep in to the water to allow a good soak
The things you need to think of when choosing bath lift are
1. How high you need the lift to take you back up to the bath rim
2. How stable you are whether you need a back rest to prevent you from falling backwards
3. Whether you need the bath aid to be taken in and out for other members of the family
4. How easy it is to remove the battery for charging
5. How heavy you are and whether the one you have chosen works for your weight
The simplest type of bath lift is a bath cushion or inflatable bath lift.
These are slightly less stable than the solid type of bath lifts so consider whether you are able to balance enough for this.
The Bathing Cushion is simple to use lowering you gently to the bottom of the bath. Once there you can choose whether to leave a small amount of air in the cushion to act as a back support, or release all the air to lie right back and bathe as normal.
When you have finished your bath, the Bathing Cushion can be re-inflated using the Airflo compressor to lift you steadily back up level with the top of the bath. The Bathing Cushion will not lower you into the bath unless there is sufficient battery power to raise you back out again. The Bathing Cushion is designed to offer increased stability and comfort. Weighing only 2 kgs (4.4lbs) and featuring a new carry handle, it is supremely portable making it ideal for taking away on visits or on holiday. It can also be set up or removed in seconds and requires no fixtures or adaptations to an existing bathroom.
Manager Health Bathing Cushion
All the other simple types of bath lifts have a solid seat with back. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you need to take all the measurements. Then consider which design will suit your needs best.
If none of the above are sufficient you will need to consider a simple bath hoist.
Advise from your local council occupational therapy team will be very helpful.
Other simple aids to bathing
1. A Bath step- makes it easier to step in to the bath whilst holding on to a vertical grab rail on the wall.
2. A non slip bath mat
Adjustable Bath Step
The Adjustable Bath Step comprises three non-slip, polypropylene sections that can be stacked, one on top of the other, to produce steps of different heights.
For stability, they overlap by 25mm (1 inch) and can be used with up to four supporting columns. A single step produces a 50mm (2 inch) rise. A second step raises the height to 75mm (3 inches) and the third section raises is further to the maximum 100mm (4 inches). Alternatively, two steps can be laid end to end and the third placed on top to produce a low, very stable tiered step. Multiple packs can also be stacked to a maximum of six sections. Each step has non-slip feet that will grip securely to various bathroom floor types and the bright white finish is designed to match or complement most modern bathroom styles.
Amazon-
Complete Care shop sell these.
https://www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/bath-steps/adjustable-height-bath-step
Sources- DLF