10+ Tips to Take Care of Your Wheelchair

A wheelchair is one of the essential mobility aids that helps people with temporary or permanent mobility restrictions stay mobile and upkeep their quality of life. However, as the wheelchair takes care of you, you should also reciprocate the care with care.

Before proceeding, you need to understand that as a general rule of thumb, the care and maintenance of your wheelchair depends primarily on the roughness or gradient of the pathways you use it on.

Here are several tips for care and maintenance that you can use after you buy a wheelchair to ensure its longevity.

General Care Tips for Your Wheelchair

From the day you buy a wheelchair, its maintenance becomes your responsibility.

• Clean off the dirt and grime from your wheelchair frame daily. A brush or damp cloth would be a good choice for this cleaning job.
  
• Check the tires for air pressure to avoid possible punctures in case they don't have proper air pressure. They may feel hard when pressing them with your fingers if they have increased air pressure. If they don't, pump some air into them using a bicycle pump.
  
• Keep the wheelchair secured in a dry place when idle. Take special care of wheel bearings and see to it that no moisture or dirt collects in them.
  
• Check and ensure that rear wheels spin properly as they ensure stability and easy manual propulsion. Similarly, check and ensure that front wheels properly turn sideways as they help change the direction of the wheelchair. If you find them wobbly or making abrupt sounds, repairing or replacing ball bearings is highly recommendable.
  
• Check for any loose parts of the wheels once a week. If you find any, tighten it using a wrench. If it is beyond your ability, sending it to a service shop would be better.
  
• Check every tire for any puncture(s) or anything stuck in it every week. If you find any sharp thing like a pin or a needle, pull it out. Before you take the chair to a service shop to get the puncture(s) fixed, abstaining from using it is the best idea.
  
• Wash the frame and seat with water and mild detergent, wipe off the moisture with a clean towel, and leave it to dry. However, before washing the seat with water, using a vacuum cleaner to take out the maximum dirt would be more suitable.
  
• Rough or sharp spots on armrests, hand rims, or leg rests may cause injury to you or your attendant. Check for any signs of roughness on these parts every month and file them down (if any).
  
• Examine the frame thoroughly for any signs of cracks. The presence of cracks may speed up the possible breakage of the frame over time. Welding such cracks after assessing their severity in time can save your frame for longer.
  
• Lubricate the moving parts of the wheelchairs like ball bearings, brakes, and spokes to ensure that they don't cause friction and are working smoothly. Waxing the frame to facilitate its easy opening and closing is also a workable idea if you have a folding variant.
  
• Every 4 or 6 months, check the seat fabric for any cuts, rips, or sags. If you find the fabric worn out or torn, replacing them immediately is important. This is because such rips or sags may lead to the development of pressure ulcers.
  
• Oil and lubricate all the parts of your wheelchair - even the immobile ones on a quarterly basis.
  
• When going out for a long period of time if you are leaving behind your wheelchair, make sure you cover it properly with a plastic cover and keep it in a dry place to prevent it from dirt and rusting. When you return, ensure that all its parts are in a proper working condition and are not worn out or rusted before using it.

Besides buying a wheelchair, you might need to buy a wheelchair ramp too. So, it goes without saying that you need to take proper care of your wheelchair ramp with a few tips that follow:

• Adhere to the weight-bearing limit of your variant strictly to avoid any accident.
• If portable, store it in a dry place when idle.
• Check for any rough edges and file them down.
• Use the ramp strictly for the wheelchair and not for other items.

Conclusion
Taking care of your wheelchair and the wheelchair ramp by following the above-mentioned steps can help you ensure their safe use for a long time.

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All You Need to Know About a Bath Board

Due to ageing being at an inevitable stage of everyone's life, ageing-related issues may develop. Sometimes, an accident or injury can also affect a person's life.

As a result, people may face problems in carrying out their daily routine activities. Bathing is no exception. However, bathroom aids like a bath board and shower seat come in handy to help people maintain hygiene. While a shower seat lets you lower down as much as you want as it is available in different heights, a bathtub board fits across the bath to provide a raised platform to sit swinging your legs and bath without having to lower into the bathtub.

In general, people who have severe mobility restrictions, stiffness in joints causing pain while lowering much, or posterior injuries find a bathtub board more useful.

In this article, you'll learn a lot of valuable information about an essential bath aid - bathtub board.

Let's begin with understanding the common bathtub board types and uses. However, before choosing a bathtub board, a professional's advice is the first thing to seek for.

Types of Bath Boards

• Padded/Coated

A padded bathtub board is useful for individuals with severe balance issues and who are at risk of fall injuries or need frequent position manoeuvers due to serious mobility limitations in the upper body. The extra padding makes bathing safer and easier by preventing fall injuries and lowering the risk of sores due to constant friction against the board. This variant is generally useful for lean people or people with constant posterior pain. Further, speedy draining makes it easily cleanable.

• Moulded

With an extended flared end, a moulded bathtub board facilitates the hassle-free transfer of people into the bath or out of it.

A raised handle at one end also supports those who need constant support while bathing. Generally, this type consists of light-weight plastic and are easy to fit or remove. Several variants also feature a locking mechanism to ensure maximum safety. Non-slip adjustable brackets and cutaways at both ends act as an integral soap dish which gives people an ornate or antique bath experience.

• Slatted

People who can't risk standing longer or are at risk of slipping find a slatted bathtub board highly useful. Lightweight and comfortable in construction, it lets water drain easily. With a weight-bearing capacity of up to 190-200 kgs, a slatted variant can easily accommodate larger people. Non-slip rubber pads not only ensure safety but also prevent damage to the bath. Several economy variants feature adjustable brackets for secure fixing and an extra grab handle for additional support.

Now that you have understood the primary types of bath boards, let's understand how to use them effectively.

Tips on Using a Bathtub Board

1. Before Bathing

• Check for any signs of damage in the bathtub board before using it. If you find any issues, contact your manufacturer or retailer.
  
• Ensure that you collect and put everything you need before bathing.
  
• Fit the bathtub board properly and ensure to use adjustable brackets to securely fix it to avoid any accident.
  
• Keep a slip-resistant mat just beside your bath in advance.

2. During Bathing

• Taking support of a grab rail on the wall or the support handle on the bathtub board is highly
  recommendable if you have balance issues. It will keep you stable and prevent you from falling down.
  
• Always ask for help from your attendant/care-giver if you need anything that is away from your reach. This is because rushing to get anything away may cause you to fall over and cause injuries.
  
  
• Keep your trunk as straight and stable as possible. Don't move sideways too much as sideway movements may cause unequal weight distribution and fall injuries."
  
  
• Using a hand-held shower may help clean yourself better.

3. After Bathing

• Slowly shift towards the end when you are to leave the bath.
  
  
• Keep holding on to support - a grab rail or handle while coming out.
  
  
• Slowly lift your legs off the bath while keeping your trunk stable.
  
• Swivel around the feet to finally take them out of the bath.

If you feel you need assistance while going in or coming out of the bath, having your caretaker to attend you throughout may be the most feasible idea.

In a Nutshell

A bath board and shower seat form two essential bath aids with the former more suitable for individuals with severe mobility restrictions. Combining the above-mentioned steps with a professional's advice can help you make the best out of a bathtub board.

Source :

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How to Manage Your Back Pain And Wrist Pain

A number of permanent or temporary issues like strain, injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis may cause pain in various body parts. Back pain and wrist pain are two of the most common body pains but can be taxing at times and interfere with your daily routine. However, several remedies may help you manage these pains to an appreciable degree.

Tips on Managing Back Pain

• Improve your posture

Improved posture can help reduce back pain greatly. As a rule of thumb, the correct position means proper alignment of all your body parts. Ideally, every part of your body starting from your earlobe to the middle of the ankle passing through the shoulder, posterior, and knee should be in a straight line. Similarly, sit straight to avoid extra strain on your back. Stretching exercises and yoga may also help increase back strength and flexibility and mitigate pain.

• Take proper sleep and nutrition

Lack of sound sleep and back pain are interrelated. The presence of one may aggravate the other. Lack of sleep causes inflammation and bouts of pain and vice-versa.

Therefore, setting a goal of a minimum of 6 to 7 hours of sound sleep may work well. For that, a sleeping position with a pillow beneath your legs for extra support may help reduce stress. For more restorative sleeping positions, you can take the medical advice of a professional therapist. Lying on your stomach may not be a good idea as it puts an extra burden on your back.

Proper nutrition is also crucial for back pain alleviation. Consider consulting a professional nutritionist on the dietary changes in your lifestyle. Including anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, ginger, apple, etc. may help.

• Take analgesic drugs

Several analgesic drugs such as Ibuprofen, Codeine, etc. may help relieve pain to an extent. The most important thing to remember here is that almost all analgesics are said to have side-effects. Hence, you shouldn't use them unless the pair is unbearable.

• Use a back support

If your back pain persists for a few weeks, visiting your doctor or physiotherapist and getting yourself examined can help. If you think back support can help, you should always consult your doctor for sound medical advice on choosing the right variant and using it effectively.

Tips on Managing Wrist Pain

• Avoid over-stressing your hands

Ideally, avoid repetitive activities that aggravate your pain. It can be anything like writing, painting, lifting heavy objects, using a screwdriver, etc. If the nature of your job doesn't permit you to avoid such tasks, take small breaks to avoid prolonged strain and relax your hands intermittently.

• Alternative ice and heat treatment

For stiff and painful hands, heat treatment may be a good choice. There are products like wheat bags available that you can heat in a microwave oven and wrap a tea cloth to avoid burning it. Rolling a bottle of lukewarm water over may also provide relief in arthritis.

Applying ice packs may be more helpful in case of swellings resulting from gout flare-ups or acute injuries or strains.

Remember, these types of treatments are recommendable only when the cause of your disease is known. If your wrist pain is new and you don't know its exact cause, refraining from using any treatment is ideal before a professional's consultation.

• Keep moving and stretching your hands

Unless too painful due to severe fracture, deformity or injury, keep your hands and wrists in motion all the time. A constant movement will help ease pain and stiffness. You can also consult a physiotherapist to get medical advice on particular stretching exercises for your condition.

• Use a wrist support

A wrist support may help alleviate your pain in case of small strain or sports injuries. However, choosing a variant randomly without assessing your condition may fail to fulfill your purpose. Therefore, seeking a professional's advice is a must before buying a variant for yourself.

In a Nutshell

Orthopedic aids like back support and wrist support are of vital importance as they provide much-needed relief in pain. Combining a professional's medical advice and the above-mentioned tips can help mitigate your back pain and wrist pain to a great extent and make your daily routine tasks easy to perform.

Source :

https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/621708907992219648/how-to-manage-your-back-pain-and-wrist-pain 

Taking Care of Your Walking Stick

A walking stick is one of the indispensable disability aids that assist people with mobility limitations walk around and stay self-reliant. As it is a necessary disability aid, you need to ensure that you take proper care of it so that it lasts longer.

So, let's understand the care, maintenance, and cleaning tips you can follow for both wooden variant and metal variant.

1. Wooden Variant

• Clean it regularly

Often when you ramble, dirt and mud may stick to your stick. Over time, this dirt may collect and peel off the protective varnish layer, penetrate deep into the wood, and cause the grain fibers to tear apart. To avoid this damage, wipe off the mud and dirt on a regular basis with the help of a clean damp cloth. Ensure that the cloth is non-abrasive and lint-free.

• Keep it dry

As wood is porous and liable to expand when wet and contract when dry, it reduces the overall tensile strength over time. Further, continuous exposure to moisture for a long time may flake off the varnish and cause it to rot. Even though the water does not cause any immediate harm, ensure that you dry it properly immediately after use - especially during the rainy season. A non-abrasive cloth would be advisable to wipe off the moisture to avoid any scratches. Store it in a dry place when not in use.

• Select the storage place wisely

Wrong selection of the storage place of your stick can incur damage. Refrain from keeping the stick in both moist areas and in direct sunlight or heat. While moisture can cause wood to lose strength, direct sunlight can cause development of cracks due to excessive temperature. Similarly, avoid keeping it next to a stove, heater, furnace, or any other source of excess heat.

• Check for scratches or nicks

As you use your stick for a number of excursions, it may wear or tear down over time. Keep checking your stick thoroughly for any scratches or nicks weekly or fortnightly. If any bits are loose or chip off, removing them rather than letting them get worse is a good idea. If possible, you can also try gluing those pieces together and varnish that part to upkeep the overall good appearance.

• Use wrist strap and ferrules for additional safety

If you get tired and drop off your stick accidentally too often when walking, it may cause cracks or breaks. To avoid this damage, you may want to use a wrist strap to prevent them from falling.

The bottom of the stick is the part that comes in contact directly with the ground. Therefore, it is most likely to wear down faster. To prevent this wear, always use a ferrule. A ferrule saves your stick bottom from wear and tear due to high pressure. It also increases the contact area with the ground and improves grip. Keep replacing them on a timely basis based on the extent of the wear.

2. Metal Variant

Before going to the care tips for a metal variant, you need to understand one thing. Most of the care tips for this variant are similar to those for the wooden variant.

The tips that differ from those for the wooden variant are as follows:

• Clean it regularly

As metals generally tend to be more susceptible to contamination or reaction, cleaning your metal stick is crucial. Refer to the cleaning tips and procedure from the instruction manual first. Use only the liquid disinfectant mentioned in the instruction manual.

If it allows cleaning with a detergent, ensure that you don't use a harsh detergent on the metal surface. Only after you wipe it off properly and remove all the moisture, keep it in its place. It is because moisture, harsh detergents, or any low-quality unrecommended mediocre disinfectant or sanitizer liquid can cause damage and rust.

• Polish It

To upkeep the good appearance and give the metal better protection, polish your metal stick with a silver polish on a timely basis. When polishing, wearing gloves, and using a clean cloth is highly preferable.

In a Nutshell

Just like all other disability aids, a walking stick also requires proper maintenance and care. However, by following the above-mentioned tips, you can ensure its longer life just like all other disability aids.

Source :

https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/621700867264053248/taking-care-of-your-walking-stick 

Tips on Making Air Travel for People in a Wheelchair Easier

While everyone considers air-travel a pleasant experience, people with mobility issues/limitations may not find it that easy and comfortable. While mobility aids can help to an extent, carrying them along with luggage, everything right from checking in to the airport to boarding a flight, some things still seem a bit tricky for them. A wheelchair is one such mobility aid that helps you with motion but may seem tricky to carry along.

 

Nevertheless, just like pre-planning can help overcome any challenge, planning ahead of your air journey can make your air-travel a comfortable experience.

So, let's share a few tips that can help make your air-travel with a wheelchair hassle-free.

• Arrive well in advance

As per the general norm, flight companies expect passengers to arrive at the airport about two hours ahead of a domestic flight and three hours ahead of an international flight.

However, for people with limited mobility or people who need wheelchairs to move, arriving even earlier would be a better idea as metal chairs may take more time than usual at security checkpoints. Moreover, if you carry your medical supplies or medicines in one or two bags, checking them may end up consuming time further. This is because you may need to present your medical history, medical prescriptions, and documents for corroboration.

• Inform the airline well in advance about any help you may need

Different airports and airlines have different facilities for people with mobility restrictions. Check with your airline and find out if they can provide a special facility you need like a toilet seat at least 48 hours ahead of the departure.

• Gather information about wheelchair resources/shops in your destination

Before your air journey, gathering information about mobility aids shops in your destination city/country is crucial. Let your local retailer know about your travel destination as they can guide you the best in this regard. This information is essential to have a backup in case of accidental damage or loss of your wheelchair during or after the journey.

• Board the flight with wheelchair cushions and side guards

Before the flight crew takes away your wheelchair for storage, remember to take off your wheelchair cushions from the seat. This is because it can prevent any possible wear or tear to the cushion in the cargo hold.

Further, you can sit on it during a long journey for better positioning and increased comfort. A wheelchair cushion is recommendable even more if you are at risk of developing pressure sores.

 

If your chair has side guards as well, removing them would be a better idea as they may also not get stuck up or damaged in the cargo hold.

• Cross-verify the information on your wheelchair tag

As the airport authorities tag your wheelchair, make sure that the information on that tag matches that on your air ticket. This is important to avoid any possible confusion and possibility of your wheelchair landing up in a city different from your destination city.

• Label your wheelchair

Despite chances of detaching/separation of tags from your wheelchair being rare, you should always keep a backup plan. Find a secure place on your wheelchair (most suitably under the seat) where the possibility of tearing away of a label is minimal. Paste another sticker, tag, or a piece of tap with your name and phone number written. If possible, attach one more easily removable tag with your arrival destination on it.

• Check for the option of pre-boarding

Nowadays, several airlines offer the pre-boarding option for those with mobility limitations so as to allow them more time to find their seat and settle themselves comfortably in advance. Requesting for pre-boarding won't harm as it will save you from rush boarding and give your caretaker more time to get you settled.

• Give extra information in case you have a powered wheelchair

If you have a powered wheelchair, attach an additional note to help the crew know how to park and store it while loading and unloading it from the hold.

In a Nutshell

Mobility aids despite being highly useful for people with mobility limitations may sometimes seem tricky to travel with. By following the above-mentioned tips, you can make your air-travel in a wheelchair much easier and hassle-free.

Source : 

https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/621431088489840640/tips-on-making-air-travel-for-people-in-a

How a Wheeled Walker Benefits Your Mobility

Using a mobile support frame can have significant practical benefits for people who struggle to walk unaided. Walking frames with wheels, often referred to as ‘rollators’, serve just this function, changing the daily lives of those who may have become immobile or dependent on others’ help to get from A to B.

Wheeled walkers are growing in popularity in the UK, partly due to improvements in design and also because the population is steadily aging. They offer a lot more support than walking sticks, although they are obviously larger and bring a new set of considerations.

Psychologically, retaining one’s ability to move around without the help of others is a significant component in good self-esteem. With tools like rollators readily available and economical to buy from website’s like essentialaids.com, it makes sense to consider this type of equipment.

For some elderly people there is a perceived stigma in having to use a mobility aid to get around. This however, is diminishing all the time, mainly through the popularity which the devices are gaining. Every year, more and more people see others using them on the streets, try them and instantly discover their benefits. Coming to the realisation that the positives far outway the negatives, their eyes are opened to the possibilities of regaining or enhancing their mobility.

Here’s a rundown of the most common reasons for using mobility walkers:

• Diminished strength
• Reduced stamina
• Recovering from injury
• Respiration or other breaking issues
• General ill health
• Pain caused by walking
• Fear of falling in the street
• Carrying excessive body weight

Wheeled walkers and other wheeled walking frames

Rollators are distinct from wheeled walking frames you might use indoors around the home. The latter have less robust, lightweight frames which are very easy to maneuvre. While some do have front wheels, they are generally too small to be useful outside the home, where curbs and other obstacles need to be negotiated.

The technique to use them is also different. With the indoor ‘zimmer’ style of frame, the user lifts or rolls it forward a short distance and sets it down, before making a step to catch up with it. This creates a situation where they edge forwards in the direction they wish to travel.

With a rollator, the action is more fluid. With wheels on the base of each leg, the device can roll smoothly in one direction, with a more natural ‘walking’ action required of the user.

Because of this dynamic process of movement, it’s important for rollators to have brakes. Most have the familiar bicycle-style cable mechanisms, with hand levers which engage as they are squeezed.

It’s important that the brakes are regularly checked to make sure they’re functional and safe. Maintenance of both the brakes and any other moving parts on the rollator should be undertaken. Debris picked up from the street can lodge between the brake pads and the wheel rims, and it needs to be regularly cleaned away.

The hand brake levers of rollator brakes tend to have wide, ergonomically sympathetic contours. In this way they differ from regular bicycle brakes, which have narrower levers which can dig-in to the hands. The wider design makes them easier to engage for people with diminished strength in the fingers, hands or forearms. Those with arthritis in these areas of the body may find this a particularly useful feature.

Some devices have an additional brake which engages when weight is placed on the seat. This is essentially a safety feature which lessens the possibility of the rollator unexpectedly moving when the user is sitting on it.

As with all mobility equipment, the likelihood is that it will be used by someone who is potentially vulnerable, so safety features like this are paramount in the design.

Along these lines, it is important to note that the vast majority of modern mobility walkers feature solid tyres, rather than those which require inflation. This reduces the chances of the rollator itself becoming immobile because of a puncture to one of the wheels.

Outdoor wheeled walkers tend to have larger wheels than their indoor counterparts. This helps them absorb bumps in the road and generally make for a smoother ride. They also have larger diameter tubing, typically of either steel or aluminium. These features make them more robust and equipped for longer journeys on pavements and up and down kerbs.

Steel versions are stronger and suitable for heavier individuals, while aluminium frames are lighter and easier to control. They are also better if you are likely to need to lift them up stairs or on and off buses, as many people do. Steel remains the best option for bariatric rollators which are required to bear more weight - we’ll touch on those further down.

Similarly to indoor walking frames, rollators are height adjustable. Usually, adjustments can be made by raising the height of the handles using a simple pin-clip mechanism.

Extending your walking range

If you’re only capable of walking for short distances and might need a break if you travel further, a four wheeled rollator might be ideal. Most models have seats situated between the handlebars. These provide a great resting point if you find yourself out of breath when you’re out and about.

Another benefit of this type of wheeled walker is the basket which is usually fitted immediately beneath the seat. This is accessed by flipping the seat upwards and is great for carrying shopping or other items.

Using a rollator can therefore make it viable for longer journeys by foot, maybe to the shops or elsewhere. Using one not only takes the strain out of walking, but also provides a portable resting point. Note that three-wheeled models do not usually encompass a seat - more on that further down.

Heavy duty ‘bariatric’ wheeled walkers

Bariatrics is the area of treatment and therapy reserved for obese people. Essential Aids does a number of these heavy-duty devices, selected for their strength and capacity to support those with excessive body mass.

Simple mobility for those in this category is an everyday problem which can lead to a downward spiral of decreasing exercise and further weight gain. With this in mind, for most people in this group it is important that physical movement is encouraged and facilitated by equipment, where possible.

While walking may still be difficult, in many cases specialised bariatric mobility walkers can make a big impact. As with standard rollators, they reduce the stress on the user’s body as they walk.

The ultra robust King Bariatric Rollator, which is suitable for people weighing up to 51 stone, is the strongest model in the Essential Aids range. It has an extra large seat, with a wide, curved backrest and a 24-inch measurement between the handles. It also has powerful dual brakes and wide tyres.

While it is heavier than standard models, it can still be folded up for transportation in the boot of a car or for storage. Bear in mind that the extra weight may make them unsuitable for lifting on and off public transport.

Advantages of lightweight mobility walkers

While the heavier rollators are stronger and great for heavier people, their lightweight counterparts are more maneuverable and relatively easy to direct and control. For elderly people who need more support than walking sticks offer, rollators like this often come to play a significant part in their daily lives.

Usually made from aluminium rather than steel, they are both light in weight and generally resistant to corrosion. Available with either four or three wheels and in a range of colours, these walking aids are ever more popular in the UK.

The three wheeled models tend to be the easiest to control and are generally narrower. This can make them suitable for indoor use as well as outside. Some come with a bag or basket attachment which fits between the handles. Almost all three wheelers fold up to a relatively small size, making them super easy to transport or store.

By comparison to four wheeled models, those with three wheels are slightly less stable, and do not feature a seat. The seat which is built-in to four wheelers makes these models an attractive option for those who might need to sit down midway through their journey, but the three wheelers are better if you’re going to need to squeeze through tighter hallways.

Both types are height adjustable, so you should be able to find one to suit you.

Psychological hurdles

It is true that some people find it difficult to overcome the idea of using a visible walking aid to get around. Elderly people in particular have historically been resistant to it.

However, as these devices become more widely seen on the streets, the perceived stigma is reducing all the time. A fundamental building block for many people’s identity and even their self esteem is their sense of independence.

If walking sticks aren’t enough and a simple mobility walker can help them get to and from the shops, or round to see a relative or friend, many are starting to see that the benefits far outway the negatives. Essential Aids has a broad range of high quality rollators made by established manufacturers.

Source : 

http://site-1667357-4964-923.mystrikingly.com/blog/how-a-wheeled-walker-benefits-your-mobility

Why Seating in Showers and Baths Helps Many People

One of the simplest yet most effective disability aids for the bathroom is seating equipment for the shower or the bath itself. Being able to stand up for the whole duration of a shower is something most people take for granted, yet there are numerous disabilities and chronic conditions which may prevent it.

Whether it’s down to a general loss of strength or balance, or a particular condition which leads to a reduction of one or both, standing can become difficult. Those who develop tremors in all or localised parts of the body may also prefer to sit down than stand up as they wash themselves. Many associated conditions are more commonly found in people over the age of 60.

Slipping or falling in the shower or bath can lead to serious injuries, especially in the elderly. Broken hips or other bones may lead to secondary illness, so avoiding the initial fall is paramount.

When using the bath itself, some people have difficulty lowering and raising themselves in and out. A bath seat can help this process by reducing the distance of travel - we’ll come on to this later.

Free standing seating for the shower

Essential Aids supplies a range of high quality freestanding shower chairs, ideal for general use in the bathroom. Many of these are made with materials which mean they are suitable for environments like wet rooms or inside a shower cubicle.

Ensuring the use of non-corrosive metals and plastics is key. Rusting components are not only an eyesore, but may also lead to safety issues, if fixings like screws wear and become loose.

A combination of aluminium for the frame and plastic for the seat itself is now the most commonly found combination. Aluminium doesn’t readily rust, is lightweight and rigid. This makes it ideal for items like shower stools which may need to be regularly moved in and out of the cubicle by those with reduced strength.

It is an important design consideration for the seat to drain well. Standing water could make it easy for someone to slide on, so either a slight tilt to the seat or surface drainage holes reduce this problem.

An Essential Aids shower chair may come with a backrest and armrests as standard. These offer that bit more support than a stool, but do take up more room. They are also slightly more awkward to maneuvre in and out of the cubicle, so make sure you take account of this before choosing one. Carefully measuring the relevant gaps and floor space available is a good idea.

Shower stools are available with either three or four legs. The four legged versions tend to be larger and more stable, so are probably the best option for anyone who has compromised balance.

All models come with rubber or plastic feet on the end of each leg. These are an important safety feature which minimise the chances of the stool slipping on the floor of the shower and protect it from damage.

These feet are known as ‘ferrules’ and can be periodically replaced if they wear out. They are the same as those found on walking sticks and crutches.

The height of the stool in a shower is an important consideration, especially if the user’s flexibility and ability to stand up and sit down unassisted is a factor.

A shower chair or stool will in most cases be height adjustable. In the majority of designs, this is achieved via ‘pin-clips’ in each leg. Each leg extends and has a number of lengths which it can be set to. Some chairs do not have this feature, so be careful to check before buying one, if the height is likely to be a key factor.

For some people, the act of sitting down and standing back up again is very difficult, so they need a particularly high seat in order to minimise the distance of travel. If even the highest setting still leaves the chair or stool too low to use, it might be worth considering a perching stool.

Many perching stools are designed with water tolerant materials and are great for use in the shower. They are much taller than conventional stools, making sitting down and standing up from them an easier process.

They have a sloping seat, which allows the user to ‘perch’ on the edge, with their feet still flat on the floor. Using this method, weight is partially relieved from the body and the user ‘semi-sits’ on the stool.

Again, it’s wise to pay special attention to the available floor space in the shower cubicle. Perching stools tend to have splayed legs in order to maintain stability, which increases the size of their footprint. So, make sure you measure everything and check the stool’s measurements before purchasing one.

Fixed seats which fold down

If your shower cubicle is small, it might not be practical to position a free-standing shower chair on the floor within it. As a space saver, a seat which folds down when in use but folds up out of the way at other times, might be the answer!

Essential Aids does a range of wall-mounted shower seats, all of which have been chosen for their quality and robust properties. All feature either slatted seats or which have some other method of drainage.

While some flip out and are unsupported from the floor, most models have hinged legs which rest on the showe cubicle’s floor. This gives them greater weight tolerance, making them suitable for heavier individuals.

Some Essential Aids shower seats are designed to fold down and fit snugly in the corner of a cubicle. These are ideal in particularly tight shower environments.

A fold-down shower seat is also a good idea if the cubicle is regularly used by more than one person.

You should always use a qualified professional to do the fitting of any wall mounted seat. It’s important the correct fixings are used and that the installer knows what type of wall the seat is being fixed to.

Bath seats

Getting in and out of the bath may be difficult if you have flexibility, mobility, strength or balance issues. While grab rails can assist with the process, actually sitting down and standing back up again is for some people, a daily struggle. Luckily, bath aids are available which help.

Bath seats shorten the distance of travel from a standing position to a seating one, therefore reducing the stress on the body involved in the transition.

Effectively raising the height of the floor of the bath, a bath seat is a simple aid which allows someone to continue using their bath independently, while reducing the physical exertion required to do so.

If you do have issues with your balance, then it’s obviously imperative that the bath seat is stable and fits the bath concerned. Check the specification and footprint measurements and make sure your bath is of suitable size.

Most seats clamp the sides or have large suckers on the feet which create a firm bond with the bath floor.

Bath and shower boards

These boards straddle the width of the bathtub, again providing somewhere to sit while you wash. As with bath seats and shower stools, they take the weight off the person’s feet, reducing the stress on their body.

Bath boards clamp firmly to the bath and are available in a number of sizes, so you should be able to find one which fits your bathtub.

Using shower and bath seating in combination with grab rails

If you find that sitting down as you wash is of benefit, support rails next to the seating might also help. Bath aids like this provide security as you get up and sit down, and generally improve your stability.

You can have these fitted within a shower cubicle, next to the bath, toilet or wash basin. Grab rails are available with low profile designs, so they blend in with your bathroom furniture and don’t look unsightly.

Some types of grab rail are straight and available in different lengths, so you should be able to find one to suit you. Others are curved or angled, giving you different kinds of support.

Perching stool at the sink

As mentioned above, perching stools are another form of seating for the bathroom, allowing the user to ‘sit-stand’. While they are often used within the cubicle, they are also useful for the washbasin. With your feet flat on the floor, you can perch on the edge of the stool, taking the weight off your feet while keeping your hands free.

They are much taller than conventional stools, meaning the user doesn’t endure the strain of sitting down and standing up again, but maintain themselves in an upright, supported position.

General points on bathroom seating

Any shower stool, bath seat, perching stool or other seating equipment for the bathroom needs to be made for use in wet environments where there is likely to be a high air-moisture level.

It’s of paramount importance that these items are made using non-corrosive materials, both for the longevity of the product and the safe usage. Seating is usually best used alongside bath aids like long-handled washing tools and other inventive products, many of which Essential Aids specialises in supplying.

Source : 

https://essentialaids.tumblr.com/post/620611931693318144/why-seating-in-showers-and-baths-helps-many-people