Introduction
In recent decades, the number of elderly people has steadily increased in most regions in the world. One important consequence of this is an increase in elderly people with bathing disabilities. Many people can sympathize with these elderly individuals who have trouble performing tasks as a result of their disability. Some common bathing disabilities are: having limited or no physical mobility, having limited vision or hearing impairments, trouble connecting to the tub drain, and limited dexterity that makes it difficult for them to use a towel to dry off after showering. These difficulties make it hard for these individuals to bathe themselves independently – especially if they are not employed anymore and caregiving responsibilities have more recently been taken on by their children or caregivers.
10 Ways To Meet The Needs Of Elderly With Bathing Disability
1. Use A Tub Stand
Some elderly people with limited mobility can still use a tub stand. Standing up while showering will help to support the upper body and help them to be more stable in their bathing routine. For safety reasons, it is best not to allow these individuals in the tub without supervision.
2. Make Use Of An Overhead Shower Head
Bathing for these individuals can sometimes be a complicated process that requires them to bend down and reach under the shower head as they would do when they take a bath themselves, which can be prone to injuries if they are unable to keep their balance or if they slip on the wet tile floor of the bathroom wearing wet clothes and/or barefoot.
3. Use A Bathtub Attachment
Some elderly people with limited mobility can still use a bathtub attachment. Standing along the side of a tub and using the shower attachment can allow individuals in this situation to support their upper body as they do when bathing themselves simply by resting their forearm on the tub ledge or taking it down to hand-hold themselves up and into the tub with the assistance of an assistant or caregiver if needed.
4. Use A Towel Rail
The bathtub, shower area, and laundry room are some places where towels are normally placed on a towel rail to dry after use. The elderly who have limited mobility should be allowed to use the towel rail as a safety measure to prevent them from falling if they are not able to get back up on their feet after taking a shower due to dizziness or some other condition.
5. Consider Using A Hand-Held Shower Head
Some elderly individuals who have sufficient mobility can use a hand-held showerhead so that they can bathe themselves while standing or sitting on the floor rather than bending over and sitting in the bathtub while showering so that they can still meet their physiological needs when it comes to bathing; however, this is still the exception rather than the rule.
6. Make Use Of A Shower Bench
Another option for elderly individuals who have difficulty standing is to use a shower bench on the floor or along the side of a tub. A shower bench can provide comfort for these individuals and allow them to sit while showering rather than having to stand.
7. Consider Using An Inflatable Tub
Individuals who are frail or disabled may find it very useful to have an inflatable tub they can use while showering anywhere in their homes, such as in the bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen.
8. Consider Showering In The Tub
Some elderly individuals who have poor hearing can take a quick shower in the bathroom, then sit in their baths or simply use a bath seat to help them get out of their wet bathing clothes and remove most of the water from their clothing so that they can dry it properly.
9. Consider Using A Manual Bath Seat
An inflatable bath seat can be used to support the elderly’s back during bathing so that they do not have to spend too much time sitting down – only as long as necessary for them to bathe themselves quickly and get dressed afterward without having to be stuck sitting on the floor for too long.
10. Allow Use Of A Portable Bath Bench Or Seat
An elderly individual with limited mobility can still use a portable bath bench or seat to help them get in and out of the shower or tub so that they will not have to suffer from pain caused by climbing up and down onto a wet tub or shower floor after getting themselves bathed. The portable bath bench or seat can be a simple wooden stool made for this purpose. The elderly person sits on it outside of the shower and places one hand on the back of the stool for support as they get in and out of the shower or tub.
Conclusion
One size does not fit all. Every elderly individual is unique. Some have limited mobility due to accidents, strokes, etc. However, the options listed here are not only a good idea if one of these people suffer from any of these conditions but they are also great ideas for those who have none of these problems. The key is to find what works best for that individual and to give them the right kind of help when they need it. When providing a showering or bathing assistance service, it is very important to work with elderly individuals who have a laundry disability as part of their bathing disability and make sure they are getting used to their new showering routine and bathing routine so that they do not have any further medical issue.
It is not uncommon for an elderly individual to have some difficulties when showering and/or bathing so it is important to be prepared for this and come up with a good plan for the individual who is showering or bathing. This will make all of their showers and baths much more comfortable. The elderly person who has limited mobility can use different showerheads and attachments, overhead showerheads, hand-held showerheads, bathtub attachments, towel rails, inflatable tubs, showers on a bench or in the tub, bath seats with back support or backrests, and/or portable bath benches/seats as possible solutions to help these individuals bathe themselves.