Helpful Bathroom Equipment to Make Your Life Easier

Showering or bathing is a simple and normally refreshing task for most people. But it’s not quite like that if you live with pain or a chronic illness. It can be a chore. A difficult, tiring chore that takes every ounce of energy you have. But, for the sake of hygiene, it’s also necessary. Thankfully, though, there is helpful equipment for the bathroom which can make life a little easier.

Disability Aids Can Make Everyday Tasks Easier and Safer

Sometimes people don’t like having to use disability aids but they do help. They can give people more independence. And they make everyday tasks like showering easier as well as safer.

Helpful Bathroom Equipment

I have a few pieces of equipment in my bathroom which are so helpful that I can’t imagine living without them now. I’ve compiled this list of products which might make your life easier if you suffer from chronic pain or a chronic illness.

Shower Stools

Years ago, we replaced our bath with a shower cubicle as it was becoming too difficult for me getting in and out of the bath. Getting into a shower is so much easier, however, my back isn’t too keen on me standing. A shower stool is one of the most useful disability aids I own.

If you have pain, mobility problems, suffer from fatigue or dizziness or are just a bit unsteady on your feet, you might find that a shower stool is your best friend. Be sure to get one that can be adjusted to suit your height. It might also be better to have one with back and handles. Alternatively, you could get a wall-mounted seat which needs to be fitted on to your shower wall. Safety has to be a priority, so if you choose to have a wall-mounted seat, always ensure it’s fitted correctly.

Bath Seats

If you use a bath, you might find a bath seat helpful. There are various types – a simple bench or seat that hooks over the top of your bath, a seat with a transfer bench or an electronic bath seat with lift.

Grab Rails

Grab rails are such a simple but practical piece of equipment in your bathroom. Some have suction pads so that they can be stuck onto tiled walls without drilling. But if you’re using those, I suggest you get someone who is fairly strong to test them for you to ensure they are stuck properly on your walls.

Non-Slip Bath Mats

For the sake of safety, I can’t omit the humble non-slip bath/shower mat from my list, can I? You might even consider a loofah mat which is non-slip and will help you to wash your feet at the same time – two jobs for the price of one.

Also, if you have a tiled or lino floor, put a non-slip mat on it so you don’t slip on a wet floor. I’m sure your life is difficult enough without adding extra injuries.

Inflatable Cushions

Whether you are sitting on a stool or lying in the bath, you might find it more comfortable with a cushion. I wish that I had a full-length cushion when I used to have a bath. I have scoliosis and parts of my spine stick out where they shouldn’t. Lying in a hard bath was actually painful.

Taps, Hooks and Baskets

If you struggle with turning on bath taps, you might find tap turners useful. An occupational therapist gave me a set years ago. I suffer from painful hands at times and those tap turners were the perfect solution. Now, I have lever taps in my kitchen and bathroom sinks so I no longer need tap turners.

I don’t think you can ever have too many hooks and baskets. Put them at a level so that you never need to twist or stretch to reach for your shampoo or loofah.

Cleaning the Bits You Can’t Reach

How difficult is it to wash your feet and scrub your back? It can be less difficult with silicon foot scrubbers and long-handled brushes and sponges.

Disability Aids For Your Toilet

I can’t write about helpful equipment in the bathroom without mentioning the toilet. A very useful disability aid, especially if you are tall and have back problems (like me), is a toilet seat riser. They give a little extra height to make it easier when you sit down and stand up. You can buy them in various heights so you can make your toilet seat the perfect height for you. Some toilet seat risers come with a handrail attached to give that extra bit of support. If you don’t need a raised seat, but you need support, there are frames which are made specially to fit around your toilet.

You might also find these articles helpful:
Helpful Kitchen Gadgets
and
Mobility Aids for Outdoors

Talk to an Occupational Therapist About Disability Aids

It’s often a good idea to talk to an occupational therapist about disability aids which could help you. Your GP should be able to refer you to see one in your area. They might suggest that work could be done in your house, for example, to install a wet room or shower cubicle. There are often grants available for doing this, so do contact them.

Where You Can Buy Disability Products

All the products I have listed in this post are available from Amazon. However, there are many online stores which specialise in disability equipment.

VAT Relief

Most disability equipment in the UK qualifies for VAT relief. If it’s not offered, ask about it. It might not save much money, but in today’s climate, every penny counts.