Bathing and Showering Advice and Information The purpose of this factsheet is to give you and your carer advice and information about ways in which you may be able to solve bathing problems. Some practical solutions Washing Many people keep themselves clean by regularly strip washing and this may be the simplest, safest way to continue. It is often advisable to sit whilst washing yourself. Bathing Safety must be your first consideration. Bathing can be dangerous for anyone but the risks increase with age and disability. If in doubt, do not attempt to use the bath. General points for safer bathing Do not lock the door when you are having a bath it will make it difficult for others to help you if you get into difficulties. If you are worried about bathing, bathe only when there is someone else in the house. Ensure the bathroom is well ventilated. Warm, humid air can induce fainting or dizziness. Use a non-slip mat. Always check the rubber is not deteriorating, as this will reduce its grip. Ensure all the air underneath it is removed so it can grip effectively. Non-slip mats are usually available at chemists and some supermarkets. Fragrant bath oils/ salts can make baths very slippery and are best avoided. Remove the plug before attempting to get out of the bath this will reduce your chances of slipping. Follow medical/health staff advice. If you have been advised not to bathe, it is important to heed their advice. Avoid leaning/ pulling on towel rails/ soap dishes/ sinks/ taps, as they are not designed to take body weight. Version Number: 6 / ID Number: IL12
Problems with bathing IL12 - Bathing and Showering The difficulty with using the bath safely can be usually identified as one (or both) of these problems. Stepping in / out of the bath Sitting down / standing up from the bottom of the bath Solutions: Bathboards Rather than stepping in / out, it may be easier / safer to use a bathboard. These boards fit across the top of the bath firmly. They allow you to sit on the board first, then swivel and lift your legs over the bath side. They are particularly useful with a shower over the bath, as you do not need to get down into the bath at all. Pages 3 and 4 demonstrate how they are used. Grab rails A grab rail fitted on to the wall adjacent to the side of the bath may help getting in/ out. The best place for a grab rail is usually where you would naturally reach for. Grab rails can be installed vertically or horizontally, although an angled grab rail may be useful. Grab rails must be secure and an experienced relative or builder / joiner may be able to fit one. Grab rails must be plastic coated. Plasterboard walls may not take much weight so it is preferable to secure to the wooden uprights behind the plaster. Bath Seats A bath seat placed securely on the bottom of the bath may help you get up and down more easily. It is also advisable to use a non-slip mat and / or grab rail to steady you. Later pages show how these can be used in combination with a bathboard. Bath seats should not be used in conjunction with bath oils as this makes the bath slippy and doesn t allow the seat to stick sufficiently. This leaflet is available in other media formats. For more details please contact Adult Social Care Telephone: 01978 292066 Page 2 of 6
IL12 - Bathing and Showering Bathboards As mentioned previously, these may help you sit underneath a shower or help you get down onto a bathseat. We normally advise people not to lower themselves from a bathboard down onto the bottom of the bath. Fitting the bathboard We advise you to follow the manufacturer s instructions that come with the product. However, the following guidelines may also assist: Measure the width of your bath. The bathboard must not be too long so that it overlaps the edge of the bath. Fitted vanity units or tiling along the wall by the side of the bath may reduce the width needed to securely rest the board these may need removing for the board to be safe. Some makes of bath, especially the more modern, shaped baths, will not accommodate a bathboard due to the moulded sides not providing enough of a flat surface area for the brackets to grip. Check when you buy one that it can be returned if it is not suitable for your bath. Consider the weight capacity of the board and person using it. Large width or heavy duty boards are available. Slatted bathboards may be more suitable for under a shower. You may find that the brackets when adjusted will only fit properly one way round. We advise you to mark which way round it goes. Check the board each time before you use it to ensure it is firmly fitted. Removing the board for cleaning the bath may cause the brackets to loosen over time. A grab rail/ non-slip mat might also be useful. Page 3 of 6
IL12 - Bathing and Showering Use of bathboard Sit yourself on the bathboard, feet outside the bath. Using your hands to push down on the board or reach for a rail, lifting your buttocks, gently slide / shuffle yourself backwards over the side of the bath. Some people may need assistance to lift their legs over the side of the bath, this manouver is not all that different from sitting on the side of the bed and lifting your legs up to get in. Use of the bathboard with a bathseat It is quite common for people to use a bath seat with a bathboard. From sitting on the bathboard as described above, you lower yourself down onto the bath seat. At all times the decision whether it is safe to use a bath seat is determined by your ability to get out safely. You need to have a reasonable strength in your arms to lower yourself down and to push yourself back up onto the board when you have finished bathing. Fitting a bathseat Check what your bath is made of. Some types of seat will damage plastic / acrylic baths. Ask for advice when purchasing. Most bathseats are fixed securely to the bottom of the bath. This type has rubber suckers and is safe for plastic / acrylic baths and can also be used in metal baths. Another type of seat is held in place by side paddles, which push against the sides of the bath. This is only suitable for strong baths. Different types of bathseat are available. A lower seat will enable you to be more under water but will mean you have to lift yourself higher when getting out. Seats that are held in place by hanging over the edge of the bathsides are not recommended in case they move. Other general points to note: Low sided baths, whilst making it easier to step in / out of the bath, do not solve the problem of getting down or up once you are in it. The bottom of the bath is just as low down as that of a normal sided bath! There are a number of different battery powered bath seats, which sit in the bath, on the market now. Before purchasing one of these we strongly advise you to have a demonstration and try one. Step in baths we strongly recommend that you see / try one before considering equipment you need to be sure that it meets your needs now and in the future. Page 4 of 6
Private Care Agencies IL12 - Bathing and Showering You may choose to pay for assistance from a private care agency to help you in / out of the bath or just be around when you bathe. Agencies can be found in the yellow pages under Care Agencies. Local organisations such as Age Concern may also be able to advise you. Paying for Services / Equipment Some pieces of equipment are no longer provided by Social Services, but you will be advised of where to purchase items. If you have difficulty with paying for these items, or anything else, you may be entitled to extra state benefits. To check if you personally may be eligible for any benefits, contact the Initial Response Team who will be able to direct you to Welfare Rights. Contact details are included on the next page. If you need further help Difficulty or inability to bathe may be the only personal care difficulty you are experiencing. If this is the case then we hope that some of the solutions we have outlined in this factsheet will be of use to you. If, however, you are experiencing more difficulties with your mobility around the home, please phone the Initial Assessment Team. After listening carefully to you we may be able to help you with advice, or we may feel you need further help from us. This factsheet is intended to provide you with helpful information. Every person s health, ability and bathroom layout is different. The instructions given are therefore only general guidelines and will not be correct for everyone s home circumstances. Do not use the bath / shower if you do not feel safe. Page 5 of 6
IL12 - Bathing and Showering There are many solutions to bathing and showering problems. An assessment by an Occupational Therapist or other experienced person will help identify the best solution for you. For details contact the Initial Response Team: Initial Response Team Wrexham County Borough Council Adult Social Care Department Crown Buildings 31 Chester Street Wrexham LL13 8BG Telephone: 01978 292066 Fax: 01978 298044 Email: irt@wrexham.gov.uk Please visit our website at : www.wrexham.gov.uk/socialservices Page 6 of 6