A Guide to Simple Bathroom Aids for Disabled or Elderly People

Retaining independence regardless of physical impairments is a key goal for most people, regardless of their age. While certain disabilities and age related conditions present challenges, it’s important to realise that there is an ever increasing number of assistive products available to make everyday tasks that bit easier.

While these can help all over the home, it is perhaps in the bathroom where they are most effective. Being able to wash yourself and use the toilet unaided makes a huge difference both in a practical sense and from a psychological point of view. By using the right equipment and by being aware of the products available, it’s possible to reduce the chance of requiring help and reduce risk of harm.

Many disabilities result in reduced strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, making it more difficult to undertake day-to-day tasks in the bathroom. Sometimes it’s just the routine things, the ones previously taken for granted, which become difficult.

Toileting is one such area which can become problematic. Using a toilet frame or raised disabled toilet seat might just help. We’ll come to those later. First we’ll go through some common bathroom and toileting aids now available.

Standing at the sink

Using a perching stool at the sink is a great way of making sure you stay balanced and supported. These stools are much higher than standard models and have sitting surfaces which slope gently from back to front.

This allows you to semi-sit on them, with most of your body-weight supported but with your feet still flat on the floor. With your legs only bent slightly at the knee, you’re almost at full height, enabling you to use the mirror, wash your face in the sink or brush your teeth.

Perching stools have the great advantage that they allow the user to keep their arms and hands free. Models are available with leg and armrests to provide additional support.

If you do feel unsteady while standing at the sink, you might also consider fitting a grab rail next to it. These provide a reassuring point of support within easy reach, should you lose balance.

Getting to those hard to reach places

Long-handled tools are available which help if you have difficulty reaching certain parts of your body to wash. Some have flexible shafts which can be bent into the desired shape. This helps them reach over the shoulders, for example. Some are fitted with scrubbers or foam heads.

Long-handled brushes and combes are also available from essentialaids.com, helping you reach your hair without having to reach too far upwards.

Not being about to reach one’s feet, either because of a disability or just through losing one’s flexibility in old age, is a common problem. Long-handled scrubbers are great for this purpose, as are Essential Aids’ long handled toenail scissors.

Upturned scrubbers with floor-fixing suckers on the bottom work well in the shower to reach the soles of your feet. They let you clean your feet without needing to bend down.

Flannel straps are great washing aids which help you scrub your back without having to reach behind you. Holding the strap at each end, you use it as you would a towel to dry your back.

Lotion applicators are innovative devices which have long handles and a compartment in the head which releases the shower gel as you scrub the body.

Bath and shower mats

If you feel unstable in the bathroom, it’s important to keep any chance of slipping to a minimum. The good old fashioned bath or shower mat can really come in handy.

Essential Aids does a great range of mats in various dimensions, all designed to make hard, wet surfaces less slippery.

Grab rails

Rails fitted in strategic places in the bathroom are key bathroom disability aids. They provide support when using the toilet, getting in and out of the bath, the shower or at the sink.

Some rails are available with a textured surface, making them easier to establish a firm grip when wet.

Available in many different lengths and designs, support rails are great if you are unsteady on your feet, or have reduced strength and balance.

Rails can be in fixed positions on the walls, to the bath itself, or fitted as drop-down units which fold up when not in use.

As with all permanent installations, Essential Aids strongly recommends the use of qualified tradesmen to do any fitting.

Toilet frames

An alternative to fitting grab rails next to the toilet is to use a toilet frame. These box-like structures fit around the pedestal, providing support for your hands as you lower yourself or raise yourself.

They are adjustable in height and in some cases width, so you should be able to find one to fit your toilet.

Some toilet frames have a built-in seat, while others require you to sit on the standard seat. These are generally higher than a standard toilet, meaning there is less distance of travel from a standing position.

Raised toilet seats

Raised toilet seats are also available without a surrounding toilet frame. This variety fixes either to the existing seat or toilet bowl.

Many people with physical impairments find it easier to use a toilet if they are not forced to sit on a low pedestal. A simple device to raise it can make all the difference, especially in combination with a grab rail.

Raised toilet seats usually have clamps, providing solid attachments so they’re not prone to slipping. A disabled toilet seat like this is available in different heights, so you should be able to find one to suit your needs.

Shower chairs and stools

If you have difficulty standing for the duration of a shower, you might consider a free-standing or fold-down shower seat.

These provide an easy way to avoid having to stand up for your shower. If you’re unsteady on your feet or have reduced physical strength, this simple piece of equipment can make a big difference.

Most models have drainage holes which reduce the amount of standing water on the sitting surface, helping reduce the chance of slipping.

Fold-down models are great space savers, but need fitting by a qualified tradesmen. Smaller free-standing stools are almost all made from aluminium and plastic , keeping their weight down for moving in and out of the cubicle.

There are also perching stools available for shower cubicles, but check you have enough space because they have a larger than average footprint.

Floor-level shower trays and wet rooms

For wheelchair users, a fully adapted home would ideally include a wet room or a shower tray which is completely level with the floor. This allows easy access for the chair, provided it is suitable for wet environments.

Essential Aids supplies a range of high quality wheeled shower chairs, made of non-corrosive materials.

In an ideal world, a bathroom designed for a wheelchair user would have a lowered sink and numerous grab rails.

It might also have u-shaped drop-down rails on both sides of the toilet. Low controls for the shower, within easy from a low position also make a big difference.

Bath seats

These are low seats which fit inside the bath itself. By raising the height of the bath’s floor, it gives the person less distance of travel in order to get in.

Bath seats are usually used in combination with a support rail either fitted to the side of the bath or the wall itself.

Some designs suspend the seat across the width of the bath, resting on the horizontal sides, while others sit on the bottom of the bath.

Most bottom-resting models stick to the bath’s floor by means of large suckers.

Bath boards

If you don’t have a walk-in shower but do have one over the bathtub, you might consider using a bath board.

These provide a solid bridge across the top of the bath on which to sit, if you find it difficult standing for the length of the shower. They clamp to the sides of the bath, keeping them stable and secure.

Some bath boards are fitted with a handle at one end, which gives a useful point to grip on to as you climb in or out of the bath.

They are available in various sizes, so you should be able to find one suitable for your bath. Like shower stools, they tend to have drainage holes to reduce the chance of water build-up on the surface.

Bath lifts

If you have a severe disability or compromised mobility to the extent that you can’t get in and out of the bath unaided, a bathlift might be the answer.

Numerous designs are on the market, all of which are designed to lower you into the bath and raise you out of it again.

Transfer boards and benches

If you are using a wheelchair, a smooth transfer board is useful. These act as bridge to help get from a wheelchair onto the toilet or into the bath.

You would require the help of a carer to do this safely.

A transfer bench again creates a bridge from outside the bath to inside it. Typically they have a long seat section, with two legs outside the bath and two inside it.

The idea is to use the bench to edge yourself across the bath side so you end up over the bath itself.

Walk in baths

These baths have ‘doors’ which allow the user to enter and exit without having to get over a high bath side. Most have a moulded interior seat which allows you to maintain an upright sitting position.

Once inside, close the watertight door behind you and then fill up the bath so the water level raises around you as you sit.

To exit, the water has to drain away first before you can reopen the door.

Other helpful bathroom aids

There are many other use pieces of equipment which help with everyday tasks in the bathroom and don’t require fixing in the same way as a grab rail or a disabled toilet seat.

Some of the most useful are simple reaching aids. These have gripping jaws at one end and handle and trigger at the other.

They are great for picking up towels, clothing or other small items from the floor. This type of aid is particularly useful for people who have difficulty bending down - a common problem in old age.

A tap-turner is another useful device which helps you twist taps without needing much strength. These are helpful for those with reduced grip strength or a tremor. They work by increasing the leverage you are able to apply to the taps.

Those with arthritis in the hands and fingers often find them especially useful. For people in this situation, gripping a toothbrush can also be uncomfortable and even painful, mainly because of its narrow handle and the tight grip it requires.

Essential Aids supplies foam tubing which fits over the toothbrush handle, building it up and making it more comfortable to hold.

Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/616634295885447168/a-guide-to-simple-bathroom-aids-for-disabled-or

Walking Frames: Making Life Easier One Step at a Time

Walking frames offer excellent support if you’re living with mobility problems or recovering from injury. They provide a mobile platform which is relatively lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. There are various kinds available, some suitable for use indoors, others for getting out and about.

Commonly called zimmer frames in the UK, these walking aids are available with or without wheels. There are also variations in the hand grips, size and weight bearing capacity.

Here we’ll run through the various kinds of walking frames and factors you should consider before choosing one. First, we’ll deal with standard indoor frames, before coming onto wheeled versions and models suitable for outdoor use. We’ll also mention some of the techniques involved to use them effectively. Essential Aids’ mobility shop has a range of high quality cost efficient walking frames to choose from.

Aluminium frames

Aluminium has become the material of choice for numerous mobility products because of its strength, weight, rigidity and resistance to corrosion. Handily, it also happens to be the most abundant metal found in the earth’s crust!

Standard aluminium walking frames are ones most people are familiar with. They have four legs and an upright frame. There are two plastic hand-grips fitted to the top horizontal tubes of the frame, one on each side.

Steel frames

Steel was once the most commonly used metal for mobility aids but its heavy weight and tendency to rust mean that it has been overtaken by aluminium. It is however, still the stronger option of the two. This lends it to tasks requiring more weight tolerance.

Standard aluminium frames are often not strong enough for obese bariatric invididuals, so heavy-duty steel walking frames may be the answer. They come with the advantages but also the disadvantages of steel, in that they rust and are not as easy to manoeuvre.

Steel rollators for outside use remain popular and we’ll talk about those in a while.

Standard walking frames

The standard walking frame, sometimes known as a ‘pulpit frame’ are mostly for indoor use. They have four legs with rubber or plastic feet (called ‘ferrules’) which contact the floor and reduce the chance of slippage.

As mentioned, modern models are usually made of aluminium tubing. There is usually a horizontal brace around 12 inches above the feet. This provides rigidity to the structure and improves its overall strength.

The height of the frame is adjustable by extending the legs to the desired length. Usually this is achieved with a simple pin-clip mechanism.

Two horizontal handgrips sit on the top of the frame, which tilt slightly towards the user. These are made of plastic or high-density foam. Some models have contoured grips which spread weight evenly and improve comfort.

These grips are recommended for long-term users as they decrease pressure on the hands. They are particularly good for people with arthritis in the hands or fingers.

The technique for using a standard walking frame requires a stop-start action. The frame is picked up, moved forwards and then the user takes a step to catch up with it, while at the same time using it for support.

This requires a certain amount of strength, so walking frames may not be suitable for people who are especially weak or get tired easily.

Narrow walking frames

Before buying a walking frame, it is important to measure its width. If it is for inside the home, you should also take time to measure widths of all internal doorways.

Obstacles like furniture and raised or lowered doorway thresholds could also be factors, potentially impeding the frame’s path.

It is self-evident that walking frames are not suitable for climbing stairs, so that also needs to be taken into consideration.

If the living accommodation is too narrow for a standard frame, you might consider one of Essential Aids ultra narrow walking frames. As the name suggests, these have a smaller profile, allowing them to squeeze through otherwise inaccessible gaps.

The drawback with the narrow frames is that they lose a degree of stability compared to standard versions.

Reciprocal walkers

Reciprocal or ‘reciprocating’ walkers have moving parts which allow them to ‘step’ forward while maintaining support for the user. These walking aids have three distinct sections, linked together by hinges on their vertical tubing.

This allows each side of the walking frame to move independently of the other in a ‘reciprocal action’. The user alternately slides each side of the walker forwards, stepping forwards with the foot on the same side. This produces a supported ‘walking’ motion.

This is distinct from the action achieved by a standard frame, which requires the whole unit to be lifted forwards, before the feet catch up, and repetition of the process to achieve forward movement.

Many reciprocal frames can be locked into a static position if so required. This means they can be used in the same way as a standard frame if it’s the user’s preference.

One of the advantages of the reciprocal design is that it provides support right through the walking process, with the user switching the bulking of their weight from one handle and back to the other.

In practice, some people also find that the moving parts make it easy to manoeuvre the frame through tight gaps.

It should be noted that getting the hang of a reciprocal walking frame requires practice, which can put some people off.

Folding walking frames

Another common feature of the reciprocal walking frame is its ability to fold down. Typically its three sections can be unlocked and collapsed together, making a flatter unit, great for storage or transportation in the boot of a car.

Wheeled walking frames

Walking frames are available which have wheels at the foot of the front legs. These are not swivel caster-style wheels but fixed, rotating in a straight line, meaning the frame needs to be lifted slightly in order to change its direction.

If you have difficulty lifting a standard frame in order to edge it forwards, a wheeled version might be the answer. The walking action is similar, but rather than sliding or lifting the front legs, you simply roll them a few inches in front of you. You then edge your feet forwards to catch them up, using the same technique as with a non-wheeled frame.

Like standard frames, the rear legs are fitted with ferrules and all four legs adjust for length with pin-clip mechanisms.

Forearm frames

Also known as ‘gutter’, ‘high’ or ‘trough’ walking frames, these don’t have the standard hand-grips.

Instead they have two near-horizontal troughs on which the user leans their forearms, gripping a vertical hand-hold at the end furthest from the body.

This means that most body-weight is channeled through the forearms rather than the hands. If you have an injury to a hand or wrist, this can be especially useful.

Arthritis is a common condition which causes pain and weakness in the joints. If it affects the hands, using a conventional walking frame may become difficult. For people in this situation, a forearm frame is often the only option.

The troughs and hand-grips are adjustable, allowing the user to find the most comfortable position to rest their weight and also control the frame’s direction.

Another possibility which works in a similar way is a frame with a horizontal platform rather than separate gutters on which the forearms rest.

Most forearm walkers have wheels, but there are non-wheeled versions available.

High visibility walking frames

The Essential Aids mobility shop has recently added walking frames with bright red paintwork. This creates easy-to-see lines for the user, making them ideal for people with failing eyesight or dementia.

‘Hi-riser’ frame

This is a particularly innovative walking frame which has a curved tubing profile to the sides. This provides a hand-hold on either side at about half the frame’s height, as well as the usual grips on top.

The design makes it practical for someone rising from a sitting to a standing position. This is useful if you’re getting up from bed, an armchair or even the toilet.

The hi-riser walking frame is a versatile mobility aid.

Children’s walking frame

Essential Aids supplies a colourful green walking frame which is much smaller than adult models. Its hand-grips are adjustable from 550 to 650mm from the ground, making it suitable for a child’s use.

Using a walking frame safely

Essential Aids strongly recommends direct advice from a health professional with first-hand knowledge of the user’s condition and physical capabilities. As a mobility shop, we can supply frames but it’s vital you check with a qualified professional to ensure you are suitable for one.

As touched on above, the basic technique of using a walking frame is to lift, slide or wheel it forwards then shuffle or step after it. If you have one leg weaker than the other, always step forward with the weak one first.

When transferring from a sitting to standing position, place the walker directly in front of you. Make sure the four feet are touching the floor and are well balanced.

It is important not to pull or tilt the walker as it might easily topple over. Instead edge forwards and make sure when you do press down on it to raise yourself, you do so with even downward pressure on the hand-grips.

To transfer from standing up to sitting down, maneuvre the walker so that your back is to the chair in which you want to sit.

Where ‘zimmer’ comes from

The word zimmer comes from the name of the original manufacturer of walking frames, a company in Indiana, USA in the 1920s. The name has stuck in the UK especially.

Source : 

https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/615998426451148800/walking-frames-making-life-easier-one-step-at-a 

Perching Stools - Life on the Edge

Many people in later life find it difficult to stand unsupported for even short periods of time. While there are pieces of equipment like grab rails which can help, these usually require the use of at least one hand in order to maintain support. The advantage of using a perching stool is that it allows you to take weight off your legs while leaving your hands free.

These stools are distinct from conventional stools in that their sitting surface is slightly. Tilted. This creates a gentle slope from back to front, encouraging the user to ‘perch’ on the leading edge, in a ‘semi-standing’ position. These stools are much taller than standard stools, so the user can lean their bottom on them at a natural height.Most perching stools are also height adjustable, allowing them to be set at a comfortable height for the user.

The hands are therefore left free to do whatever is required - such as preparing vegetables at a kitchen worktop, or brushing your teeth  at the bathroom sink. Among essentialaids.com’s kitchen aids is a popular section devoted to high quality perching stools.

Why would you use a perching stool?

Many physical conditions make it hard to stand for sustained periods. Arthritis is a particularly common problem for a lot of people in old age, and it can weaken hip and knee joints, meaning standing for extended periods is painful.

Other conditions which can cause unsteadiness and difficulty in completing tasks when  standing include stroke, dementia, brain injuries or multiple sclerosis. .Some conditions cause excessive fatigue, which also makes standing to complete tasks challenging.

This means preparing food at the kitchen worktop or using pots and pans at the hob may become a practical problem. Similarly, using the kitchen sink while washing up may also become difficult. 

For some people, moving from a fully seated position into standing can be difficult and very uncomfortable, so preparing food while sat on a kitchen chair at the table may not be as convenient as using the worktop.

So, the challenge here is to provide people with a means of support which doesn’t rob them of their immediate mobility or the freedom to use their hands. Simply using a conventional high-chair or stool would not solve the problem for a few important reasons.

Firstly, the seat needs to be at a certain height to allow the user to work effectively at the worktop or sink; standard stools do not adjust to this kind of height. High stools designed for kitchen islands or breakfast bars usually require the user climb up to sit on them, with their feet on a footrest some way above floor level.

For a person with impaired mobility, or balance issues, this is a difficult or even dangerous transfer to undertake - both to get up on to the seat and then to get off it again. There is also a high risk of falling involved in the process.. 

A perching stool on the other hand provides a means of support but does not require the user to regularly stand up and sit down from a full sitting position. Instead, it takes a large proportion of the user’s weight, without requiring much strain or flexibility. 

In the semi-sitting position, the person will have their legs only slightly bent, meaning getting up from the perching stool to move around the kitchen is easier.. 

Once sat on the perching stool, the user can prepare food, wash the dishes or complete  any other task required that they would normally. With the weight taken off their legs and feet, any strain on the body is significantly reduced.

This simple tool can make a significant practical improvement in day-to-day living, an incremental step towards maintaining independence in the home.

You might also consider using a perching stool if you are recovering from injury and have difficulty putting your full weight on one or both of your legs for sustained periods. If you’re using crutches to get around, for example, a perching stool might be a useful addition.

Where to use a perching stool

As discussed, the traditional place to use perching stools is in the kitchen - they are great for using at worktops and sinks. But as well as being practical kitchen aids, they are also great in the bathroom.

Many people struggle to stand in comfort while using a bathroom sink. While a strategically placed support rail can help, it does require the user to occupy one hand to hold on to it.

Placing a perching stool at the sink is for some people the ideal solution. As in the kitchen, it provides the opportunity to semi-stand while the user brushes their teeth, uses the mirror or washes their hands and face. With both hands free, the user isn’t restricted.

Certain perching stools are suitable for use in shower cubicles, but it’s important to ensure you choose one with non-corrosive parts, and a seat which drains readily.

Bear in mind that the footprint of this type of stool is usually much larger than standard, so you would need a large cubicle to accommodate one.

Setting the height

Most perching stools are height adjustable. The overall height of the seat is set by extending the length of each leg. On most models, this is done using a simple pin-clip mechanism. By compressing the pin, the lowest shaft can slide inwards or outwards before the pin engages again at the desired increment aperture.

Obviously it is of vital importance that you ensure each of the four legs is extended to the same degree before use and the stool is thoroughly checked for stability.

When sitting on the stool, make sure you set it at such a height which enables you to have both feet flat on the floor with your legs slightly bent when you’re sitting on it. 

If your legs are too straight, there might be a tendency to press too far backwards against the stool, which would not be safe.

Stability and grip

When using a perching stool a degree of pressure is not just downwards but also backwards. For this reason the stools have splayed legs, improving stability. 

With safety in mind, it is also crucial that they aren’t prone to sliding on the floor. Bathroom and kitchen floors are often tiled, so each leg of perching stools feature a rubber or plastic foot.

These feet are also known as ‘ferrules’ - they create high friction contact points which make the stool unlikely to slip. They can be easily replaced if they wear out.

Aluminium perching stools

Aluminium is the ideal material for many mobility and disability aids because of its light weight, rigidity and non-corrosive nature. For perching stools, which will often be used by those with reduced strength, it is perfect.

Because they are often used in bathrooms, aluminium’s non-rusting properties are especially welcome.

Perching stools are sometimes made from steel, but this tends to be more for bariatric individuals who require stronger, larger products. The drawback with steel is that it rusts, making it generally unsuitable for bathrooms. It is also much heavier than aluminium, meaning it is more difficult to move and position for those with reduced strength.

Backrest and armrests

In order to keep the weight to a minimum, perching stools without back or armrests are popular choices, but those additional features are great if you’re looking for more support.

For people with compromised balance, having extra features like armrests and a backrest may create a more secure feeling.

If you’re using the stool to prepare food at a kitchen worktop, you may find armrests allow you to rest your elbows and in turn keep your hands steady. For people with a tremor this can be especially useful.

Armrests can also help with the process of getting up and down from the perching stool. It is important to consider the stability of the stool through this process. While the legs are splayed - which helps keep the stool stable - the user should still concentrate on always applying equal pressure with each hand as they lean down on the armrests. 

While perching stools aren’t designed to be lent back against like chairs, some people like the sensation of being able to feel the backrest behind them. Essential Aids has a wide range of stools, some with backs and arms and some without.

More than one?

You may find that you need more than just a single perching stool. You may have one next to the bathroom sink and another in the kitchen.

Use in combination with grab rails?

For maximum safety and especially for bathroom use, you might consider fitting a grab rail next to the stool’s location. This provides an extra support point when you get on or off the stool, incrementally improving safety.

Other considerations

While perching stools are great pieces of equipment in the fight to remain independent, they do require a certain amount of space. Before choosing one, ensure you have adequate storage room to keep it when not in use.

The padding and material used for the actual seat of the stool is another thing to think about. While most models have a wipe clean surface, some are more padded than others. The same goes for any arms and backrests. If the stool is intended for a shower cubicle, make sure that it’s seat is not filled with foam, which may soak up water.

Perching stools are among essentialaids.com’s most popular kitchen aids. 

Many people in later life find it difficult to stand unsupported for even short periods of time. While there are pieces of equipment like grab rails which can help, these usually require the use of at least one hand in order to maintain support. The advantage of using a perching stool is that it allows you to take weight off your legs while leaving your hands free.

These stools are distinct from conventional stools in that their sitting surface is slightly. Tilted. This creates a gentle slope from back to front, encouraging the user to ‘perch’ on the leading edge, in a ‘semi-standing’ position. These stools are much taller than standard stools, so the user can lean their bottom on them at a natural height.Most perching stools are also height adjustable, allowing them to be set at a comfortable height for the user.

The hands are therefore left free to do whatever is required - such as preparing vegetables at a kitchen worktop, or brushing your teeth  at the bathroom sink. Among essentialaids.com’s kitchen aids is a popular section devoted to high quality perching stools.

Why would you use a perching stool?

Many physical conditions make it hard to stand for sustained periods. Arthritis is a particularly common problem for a lot of people in old age, and it can weaken hip and knee joints, meaning standing for extended periods is painful.

Other conditions which can cause unsteadiness and difficulty in completing tasks when  standing include stroke, dementia, brain injuries or multiple sclerosis. .Some conditions cause excessive fatigue, which also makes standing to complete tasks challenging.

This means preparing food at the kitchen worktop or using pots and pans at the hob may become a practical problem. Similarly, using the kitchen sink while washing up may also become difficult. 

For some people, moving from a fully seated position into standing can be difficult and very uncomfortable, so preparing food while sat on a kitchen chair at the table may not be as convenient as using the worktop.

So, the challenge here is to provide people with a means of support which doesn’t rob them of their immediate mobility or the freedom to use their hands. Simply using a conventional high-chair or stool would not solve the problem for a few important reasons.

Firstly, the seat needs to be at a certain height to allow the user to work effectively at the worktop or sink; standard stools do not adjust to this kind of height. High stools designed for kitchen islands or breakfast bars usually require the user climb up to sit on them, with their feet on a footrest some way above floor level.

For a person with impaired mobility, or balance issues, this is a difficult or even dangerous transfer to undertake - both to get up on to the seat and then to get off it again. There is also a high risk of falling involved in the process.. 

A perching stool on the other hand provides a means of support but does not require the user to regularly stand up and sit down from a full sitting position. Instead, it takes a large proportion of the user’s weight, without requiring much strain or flexibility. 

In the semi-sitting position, the person will have their legs only slightly bent, meaning getting up from the perching stool to move around the kitchen is easier.. 

Once sat on the perching stool, the user can prepare food, wash the dishes or complete  any other task required that they would normally. With the weight taken off their legs and feet, any strain on the body is significantly reduced.

This simple tool can make a significant practical improvement in day-to-day living, an incremental step towards maintaining independence in the home.

You might also consider using a perching stool if you are recovering from injury and have difficulty putting your full weight on one or both of your legs for sustained periods. If you’re using crutches to get around, for example, a perching stool might be a useful addition.

Where to use a perching stool

As discussed, the traditional place to use perching stools is in the kitchen - they are great for using at worktops and sinks. But as well as being practical kitchen aids, they are also great in the bathroom.

Many people struggle to stand in comfort while using a bathroom sink. While a strategically placed support rail can help, it does require the user to occupy one hand to hold on to it.

Placing a perching stool at the sink is for some people the ideal solution. As in the kitchen, it provides the opportunity to semi-stand while the user brushes their teeth, uses the mirror or washes their hands and face. With both hands free, the user isn’t restricted.

Certain perching stools are suitable for use in shower cubicles, but it’s important to ensure you choose one with non-corrosive parts, and a seat which drains readily.

Bear in mind that the footprint of this type of stool is usually much larger than standard, so you would need a large cubicle to accommodate one.

Setting the height

Most perching stools are height adjustable. The overall height of the seat is set by extending the length of each leg. On most models, this is done using a simple pin-clip mechanism. By compressing the pin, the lowest shaft can slide inwards or outwards before the pin engages again at the desired increment aperture.

Obviously it is of vital importance that you ensure each of the four legs is extended to the same degree before use and the stool is thoroughly checked for stability.

When sitting on the stool, make sure you set it at such a height which enables you to have both feet flat on the floor with your legs slightly bent when you’re sitting on it. 

If your legs are too straight, there might be a tendency to press too far backwards against the stool, which would not be safe.

Stability and grip

When using a perching stool a degree of pressure is not just downwards but also backwards. For this reason the stools have splayed legs, improving stability. 

With safety in mind, it is also crucial that they aren’t prone to sliding on the floor. Bathroom and kitchen floors are often tiled, so each leg of perching stools feature a rubber or plastic foot.

These feet are also known as ‘ferrules’ - they create high friction contact points which make the stool unlikely to slip. They can be easily replaced if they wear out.

Aluminium perching stools

Aluminium is the ideal material for many mobility and disability aids because of its light weight, rigidity and non-corrosive nature. For perching stools, which will often be used by those with reduced strength, it is perfect.

Because they are often used in bathrooms, aluminium’s non-rusting properties are especially welcome.

Perching stools are sometimes made from steel, but this tends to be more for bariatric individuals who require stronger, larger products. The drawback with steel is that it rusts, making it generally unsuitable for bathrooms. It is also much heavier than aluminium, meaning it is more difficult to move and position for those with reduced strength.

Backrest and armrests

In order to keep the weight to a minimum, perching stools without back or armrests are popular choices, but those additional features are great if you’re looking for more support.

For people with compromised balance, having extra features like armrests and a backrest may create a more secure feeling.

If you’re using the stool to prepare food at a kitchen worktop, you may find armrests allow you to rest your elbows and in turn keep your hands steady. For people with a tremor this can be especially useful.

Armrests can also help with the process of getting up and down from the perching stool. It is important to consider the stability of the stool through this process. While the legs are splayed - which helps keep the stool stable - the user should still concentrate on always applying equal pressure with each hand as they lean down on the armrests. 

While perching stools aren’t designed to be lent back against like chairs, some people like the sensation of being able to feel the backrest behind them. Essential Aids has a wide range of stools, some with backs and arms and some without.

More than one?

You may find that you need more than just a single perching stool. You may have one next to the bathroom sink and another in the kitchen.

Use in combination with grab rails?

For maximum safety and especially for bathroom use, you might consider fitting a grab rail next to the stool’s location. This provides an extra support point when you get on or off the stool, incrementally improving safety.

Other considerations

While perching stools are great pieces of equipment in the fight to remain independent, they do require a certain amount of space. Before choosing one, ensure you have adequate storage room to keep it when not in use.

The padding and material used for the actual seat of the stool is another thing to think about. While most models have a wipe clean surface, some are more padded than others. The same goes for any arms and backrests. If the stool is intended for a shower cubicle, make sure that it’s seat is not filled with foam, which may soak up water.

Perching stools are among essentialaids.com’s most popular kitchen aids.

 Source : https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/614919799047356416/perching-stools-life-on-the-edge