We have been helping my mother get her bathroom ready for my dad’s post-surgery recovery. He is having knee replacement surgery and will not be able to stand in the shower. We have selected a folding bath bench with back as our first safety step. It can be easily folded up and put out of the way for my mom to use the shower. As they only have one bathroom, it is important that she have easy access to the shower as well.
We are also purchasing a tub rail for added leverage in exiting the tub and a suction cup grab bar to sure up his shower entry and exit as well. Both the suction cup grab bar and tub rail we selected offer tool free installation. We’ve even picked a pair of water shoes for some additional traction.
We are confident that the steps we’ve taken will aid in his speedy recovery.
Wet feet on ceramic tile can make you feel like you are auditioning for the Ice Capades. Slipping and sliding on the bathroom floor can lead to serious injury. It is possible to throw out your back with just a small slip. It is also possible to break an arm or a leg on a slippery bathroom floor.
Use of a shower mat can help prevent some slips and falls. By stepping on to the shower mat when you are exiting the shower, you are giving your feet a sturdy area to stand on while you dry off.
Grab bars are also helpful in eliminating bathroom falls. Not only are grab bars there to steady you as you exit or enter the shower, but they can also be used to help catch you if you do fall. No standard towel rack can do the job of a grab bar. Do not lull yourself into a false sense of security that your decorative towel rack can help you if you slip. Grab bars are designed to withstand several hundred pounds of force.
Using a shower mat and a grab bar is a great way to limit slipping in the bathroom.
One thing that surprises me everyday is how much older my body is feeling. Getting out of bed is tougher, as is getting out of a chair. It really seems to take a long time for my muscles to loosen up and for all of my limbs to work the way that they are supposed to work.
It is at these times that I really appreciate my shower bench. I can take my shower in the morning without worry, even when my body isn’t quite awake yet. By being seated in the shower, I can safely shower when my back isn’t ready to start the day. A warm shower can do wonders to get stiff muscles loosened up.
Sitting on my shower bench also makes shaving my legs much easier on my back. I don’t have to bend over as far which makes shaving pain-free, I also don’t have to worry about slipping and falling while in the shower as the four sturdy legs on my shower bench are equipped with slip-resistant rubber feet.
If you are a smaller adult and you are interested in a reclining shower chair, do not overlook the Large Otter Bathing System. The Large Otter can accommodate folks who weigh up to 160 pounds, and are between 3 feet ten inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall.
The Large Otter is made from rugged plastic. The fabric seat is very sturdy and is removable and machine washable. There are also two stands available for use with the Large Otter. The Otter Tub Stand raises the chair five to ten inches for use in the bath tub. The Otter Shower stand raises the Large Otter twenty one inches and is appropriate for use in the shower.
The Large Otter is well-constructed and comes with a two year manufacturer’s warranty. Check out the Large Otter Bathing System, it’s not just for kids!
One of the easiest ways to be safer in the shower is to implement a shower bench or shower chair. There are several features built into shower chairs and shower benches that make them great safety items.
All shower benches and shower chairs are constructed of sturdy but lightweight materials. Legs are normally made from aluminum or another rustproof material. The legs are then capped with rubber tips that are designed to be skid resistant. These rubber tipped feet allow for a stable base.
Shower chairs often have arms to help lower oneself onto and raise oneself off of the shower chair. Shower chairs also offer seat backs for the utmost in support and comfort.
Shower benches offer wider seats for a feeling of maximum comfort and relaxation. Most shower benches are ergonomically designed and have seats offering superior drainage and mildew resistance.
Pick up a shower bench or shower chair for a safer shower experience.
I never realized that there are so many different types of wheelchairs. Standard, reclining, bariatric, and transport wheelchairs are all available. What kind of wheelchair will work the best for you?
Standard wheelchairs seem to work the best for folks with a temporary mobility issue—a sprained ankle or recent surgery. These conditions should not last for months or years and just require a little extra assistance. These wheelchairs offer the standard features you’d expect to find in any wheelchair.
Bariatric wheelchairs are designed to accommodate large folks with wider seats, heavier duty construction, and reinforce wheels and/or axles. Bariatric wheelchairs are extremely well built and strong.
Reclining and transport wheelchairs are available for folks who are looking at long term or permanent wheelchair confinement. The ability to recline a wheelchair makes it much more comfortable for its user as they are not committed to the same position all day. A transport wheelchair is lightweight and folds easily for simple transport. Available carry handles make it easy for a caregiver to move the folded wheelchair from place to place.
Who hasn’t been disappointed upon checking into a hotel room and inspecting the bathing facilities—slippery tiles, an oddly placed grab bar (if there even is one), and no place to grab onto to get out of the tub. I say pack a suction cup grab bar and a tub rail in your carryon and you’ll never be disappointed again.
Suction cup grab bars are made to be portable. You can place them on any available flat surface in the bathroom without causing damage and in a snap you will have safe entrance and exit from the shower.
Tub rails are also extremely portable and nearly all have taken precautions to eliminate damage to the tub. A tub rail can give you leverage right where you need it to rise from the tub.
If you are taking a suitcase, there are several shower stool models that will fold discreetly in a checked bag. You can have all the comfort and safety of home and you don’t even have to make the bed!
The Roll-in Buddy is a shower commode chair designed to “roll-in” the shower or for use over a toilet. The Shower Buddy Roll-in is corrosion and mildew resistant and offers a lifetime warranty on its frame. Designed to hold 440 pounds at its maximum, this is one tough shower chair.
Five inch castors offer a steady ride to perform necessary hygiene tasks. The neck rest and foot rests are adjustable and the arm rests and foot rests are removable. Safety mechanisms include but are not limited to a chest belt and a lap belt. The Roll-in Buddy even offers tool-free assembly.
Toileting becomes easier as the Roll-in Buddy can roll over standard/elongated and ADA approved toilets. The tilt option that the Roll-in Buddy offers allows for a caregiver to have easier access for bathing. The caregiver doesn’t need to stand on his or head to give a thorough cleaning.
The Roll-in Buddy provides a revolutionary way to meet hygiene needs for those confined to a wheelchair.
The Dependa-Bar Lower Grab Bar is the Cadillac of grab bars. Innovative design and versatility makes the Dependa-Bar efficient in both bathing and toileting applications.
The Dependa-Bar Lower Grab Bar is composed of white powder-coated stainless steel. It will not rust or chip. Its 325 pound weight capacity is achieved by mounting it to structural studs with three contact points for added strength. Available in 18 inch and 32 inch sizes, the Dependa-Bar combines a wall mounted grab bar with a pivoting and locking dual rail with five available positions. The bottom grab bar is even reversible for left or right side installation.
It is simple to use the Dependa-Bar to “climb” ladder style from the toilet or a shower bench. The Dependa-Bar can also be used to lower into the tub, stand to shower, or lean over to adjust water temperature in the shower. The Dependa-Bar is a great multipurpose grab bar.
I know that it’s only April, but I’ve been thinking about the gifts I always give to my aunts and uncles for Christmas, and I think that they might get teak shower stools this year. As they are almost all over fifty, I don’t feel that it’s too early to start some good bath safety habits.
Three of my four uncles have worked construction for many years. Decades of carrying boards and shingles and pounding nails have definitely taken its toll on their backs. Sitting to shower will help take the load off and ease their aching backs. I think they will appreciate the construction and styling of the teak shower stool as well. It is well-built and attractive without looking girly.
My aunts will like the idea of being able to sit to shower as well. Being able to sit while shaving your legs makes the process much easier. And while we are on the subject of legs, it’s nice that the legs of the teak shower stool adjust so that everyone in their household will comfortably be able to enjoy a safer shower.
Make the most of your available shower space with a Corner Shower Seat. Like all shower seats, the Corner Shower Seat assists those who are unable to stand for long periods of time to meet their hygiene needs.
The Corner Shower Seat weighs in at just fifteen pounds, but has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. This shower seat is durable and rust proof. The attractive appearance of the Corner Shower Seat is easy to maintain and keep clean.
There is even a compartment on the front of the Corner Shower Seat to store soap and a washcloth within easy reach. A short back allows for low back support without creating a bulky/heavy seat that is hard to move for cleaning purposes.
The Corner Shower Seat gives you the appearance of a built-in shower bench without the need for a costly remodel. Enjoy a safer and more stylish shower today.