Our Best Tub Transfer Benches Guide
A tub transfer bench is useful for seniors with limited mobility or those with an injury. Often times the bench will provide a sense of autonomy, making it easier to maneuver into the bathtub independently. Because the benches deal with personal hygiene, they are oftentimes not returnable. Make sure you do your research before making a purchase and keep the following in mind.
Size
Make sure to not only measure your bathtub or shower, but also the space around the tub, to ensure the product will fit. Consider the wall of the tub and if different heights are needed for the inner and outer legs.
Make sure the product will fit the customer. If needed, go to your loved ones doctor or therapist and ask them to help you with exact measurements to ensure the bench will meet their needs.
Keep in mind that you may need to install grab bars in larger baths for additional safety.
Assembly
While most of the tub transfer benches in our review advertise tool-free assembly, you want to make sure you are confident in your skills to ensure safety for you or your loved one. Consider asking a neighbor or loved one for help if you are having trouble, or look into Amazons home services feature.
Safety
Benefits Of Bathroom Aids
For caregivers, figuring out whether bathroom aids are worth it and finding the best ones is an investment of time and money. But if a loved one needs help in the bathroom, it may well be worth it. Here are some perks to bathroom aids.
- More time for the caregiver. Though sifting through products and reviews takes time, youll get those precious minutes back in spades when the person you are caring for is able to do specific tasks themselves again.
- Independence and dignity for the aging person. Struggling to use the toilet or shower can feel deflating. These tasks are supposed to be simple and private. It can be tough for the caregiver to watch a person they are close with struggle. With the help of specialized, a person can regain independence and dignity in the bathroom.
- Safety. Older adults are already more prone to falls and injuries like broken bones. These incidents and injuries can be troubling for their caregivers, as well as add an ER visit to their already long to-do lists. Bathroom aids enhance safety, helping to mitigate fall risks and associated consequences.
- Better hygiene. Washing hands and showering helps eliminate germs, and using the toilet is essential. If an older person cannot complete these tasks, it creates potentially unsafe living conditions and increases the risk for disease and infections. Having useful devices can ensure they remain clean and practice self-care.
Things To Look For In Your Chair Or Bench
Some of the most important features on a bath bench or chair are often overlooked for flashy designs and big worded promises. Its important to remember the key functions of a bath bench when shopping for one: safety and ease of access.
You want to feel secure and independent when bathing, and a bath bench or chair should do just that.
Safety features such as handles, rubber footing, and durable materials are a must-have. If the bath bench you are looking at is left with no real traction to the tub or way to keep yourself connected to it in the event of a fall, perhaps its not the bath bench for you.
Low prices or promises of advanced features are attractive, but when it comes down to it, youll want something that will make you feel safe while bathing.
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The Correct Way To Get In And Out Of A Bath Without Bathing Aids
Of course, bathing aids can greatly assist with accessing your bathtub, making life easier and helping to keep you safe.
However, it is important that you practice a good technique for getting in and out of a bath if you are not using any bathing aids for assistance.
The steps below detail the safest way to get out of the bath:
Knowing the correct way to get out of the bath can be very important if you ever find yourself stuck in the bath or feeling unwell. If you find this happening frequently, it is recommended you seek professional advice from a doctor or health professional, as there may be a medical reason to account for your difficulties.
Heather Sykes
Bathing Aids Bath Steps
Sometimes the simplest of ideas are the best solution, and bath steps are a great example of this. A bath step can be used to help you when you are stepping in and out of a bathtub, or shower, by giving you a raised surface to stand on.
Along with fixed height steps, there are also a number of adjustable bath steps available with VAT relief. These can be used to create a set of staggered steps to create a gradual downward slope, especially useful if you are not steady on your feet, or have limited movement. These bath aids are also highly versatile, as they can be used in other rooms in your home.
Some of the bath steps, like the Panda Bamboo Step have been designed to look attractive and stylish and, with its elegant bamboo finish, this mobility aid would not look out of place in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, or any part of your home.
There is a large range of bath steps available in different styles with vat relief, and there are bath steps with handrails to make you feel even more secure and safe.
These bath aids are designed to help you if you are still able to raise your feet to manage steps, but find the height of normal steps tricky, or stepping from a bathtub, or shower, difficult. Another advantage of choosing steps as bath aids is that they are lightweight and portable. So, just like the bath cushions and pillows, the steps can be taken with you on holiday, or if you stay away with friends, or family.
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Measuring For Shower Seat Dimensions
There are different types of shower chairs available, depending on the space available and your parents needs. Weve run through this all below.
What Standard Safety Features Does A Walk In Bath Have
Most walk-in baths will come with:
- Textured anti slip surface to help prevent slips and falls
- Grab rails can also be added to help getting up and down once in the bath
- A thermostatic valve is a great way to regulate the water temperature. This can prevent scalds and burns.
A walk-in bath is a popular choice for those looking for bath help for the elderly. Even if you are simply reaching your senior years, and want to make life just a little easier, then a walk-in bath might be the way to go.
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What Our Customers Are Saying
I don’t know what we would have done if we had not had Advantage Medical as our supplier. From the days before opening until now, they have been here for us. The promptness of your services have been fantastic. The array of products is phenomenal and the great pricing you just can’t beat. I want to say a great big “thank you” to Brenda as well she has been the best rep that anyone could ever ask to have call on an office. She is so knowledgeable and has the expertise to help you through from opening to anytime you may need her.
Dr. Roby Taylor Myers, Owner & Lead Chiropractor at East Coast Elite Chiropractic-Sports Performance & Rehab
I appreciate all the support over the last 2 years while setting up my new practice. I have had successful results with over 90-95% of my patients with disc injuries/ neck/ back pain in utilizing the DTS table as a stand alone treatment. I will be honest- it was a tough decision initially because of the financial investment/ commitment while I was starting practice. I am glad that I decided to integrate the DTS into my practice from the start because of the referrals and the wonderful response from my patients. Thanks again for all your help over the last 2 years and continued support.
Dr. Michael Sobran
Non Slip Mats And Bathroom Flooring
Non slip mats are another way to subtlety transform your bathroom and make it much safer for everyday use, especially if you sometimes feel unbalanced on foot. Non slip mats offer extra security to prevent unwanted falls occurring when you are stepping in and out of the bath or shower. You can even take it one step further with non-slip bathroom flooring. Non slip tiles are available from a wide array of suppliers you can give your bathroom a makeover at the same time, should you need!
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Able Life Universal Floor To Ceiling Grab Bar
Unlike grab bars that affix to an edge or wall in the shower or tub, this option from Able Life runs from the floor to the ceiling. Its less bulky and permanent, and you may find it easier to install. The tall bar aids in safe transfers into the shower or tub. It comes with rubber pads to protect the ceiling and floor from damage. The highest height is nine feet tall, and the aid support individuals up to 300 lbs.
Bathroom Aids For The Elderly
Bathroom adaptations for the elderly big and small can make such a difference to our older parents quality of life. The focus of this article is bathroom aids for the elderly. From help getting in and out of the bath to the best shower aids, we cover it all here.
These mobility bathroom aids wont just help your loved ones feel more independent and safe at home, but also give you peace of mind when caring for elderly parents.
Non-slip bath mats can drastically improve safety in the bathroom. Read our article on the best anti-slip mats to find out your options.
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The Top Five Bathing Aids For Elderly And The Disabled:
The bathing aid you require will depend on your reason for purchasing and your bathing preferences, such as showering or bathing. It is likely that this is the first time that you have considered purchasing a bathing aid, and you might have the following questions: how much do they cost? What do I need? Will it be installed? But you need not worry, we have come up with the top five bathing aids for those in their senior years and people living with a disability.
Function: Tap turners are particularly useful for people with painful or weak wrists, such as those living with arthritis. There are different styles of tap turners but in general, they attach to a tap and provide a secure grip, meaning that you can turn bath taps on and off with ease. Some tap turners feature comfort grips to further enhance the ease of use.
Price: From only £5 up to around £20.
Installation: There is no formal installation required. The tap turners can be fitted onto the taps with ease you may require help from a loved one or carer to do this.
Price: From only £6 up to around £10.
Installation: To apply the non-slip bath discs, the base of the shower or bath needs to be thoroughly cleaned and dried to ensure that the discs can stick properly.
Price: They start from about £250 upwards, depending on the brand and design.
Price: From as little as £8 up to around £35.
Price: From around £30 up to about £60.
Bathroom Aids Why Choose Ability Superstore
Ability Superstore has a large range of high-quality bathing aid equipment and toilet aids/toileting accessories, including walking aids and daily living aids, with VAT exempt prices. We also have some bathing guides for you how to choose a grab rail, how to make your bathroom more accessible and how to choose a bath lift to give you some more advice and information when you search for the right bath aid for your needs.
We offer free UK delivery on all orders of our range of bathroom aids on items in your shopping basket with a price of over £40. We are also a supplier of mobility aids to the NHS and other healthcare organisations.
For a faster checkout as a customer, you can create an account that will save your delivery and payment details for when you next make a mobility aids order. All you have to do is create an account by using your email address, and then adding a password, delivery details and credit card information. So, the next time you are buying something on the Ability Superstore website, you simply place an item in your basket and go to the checkout, then log in to your account and you’ll find that our website will have remembered all your key details.
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Set The Supplies Within Reach
On top tip for Shower help For Elderly is to set the supplies you need within reach. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary movement that could lead to a fall. Place a shower chair next to the shower so that you can easily transfer yourself from the wheelchair to the shower seat.
Have a soap holder or caddie within reach so that you can avoid having to bend down to pick up a bar of soap. A shower hose with a shower head that can be handheld is also helpful so that you can avoid having to twist your body in order to reach different areas of your body while showering. By setting up your shower before getting in, you can minimize your risk of falling and make the showering process much smoother.
Bathing Aids For Handicapped
Shower aids are created to make routine practices like showering and hair washing more accessible to people of all ages and ranges of abilities. Allegro Medical offers a wide selection of bathing aids for handicapped persons, from bath benches and shower chairs to handle sponges and detachable showerheads and other hair washing aids for elderly people. Each product makes washing less of a strain on people who are recovering from or living with physical difficulties. Whether you are looking for simple items like lotion applicators, or you need something larger like a lift, Allegro Medical can meet your needs.
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Conditions For Vat Relief For Disabled People
Some of the products which can be purchased from the Manage At Home website are available for an eligible person to purchase without paying VAT on them. HM Revenue and Customs sets out the conditions when equipment for disabled people might be free of VAT and how to claim exemption from paying VAT on these products.
Products a can only be exempt from VAT when all the following conditions are met:
A more detailed explanation of each of these conditions is given below, but you should visit the HM Revenue and Customs Website to fully understand the conditions which are set out in VAT notice 701/7 – VAT reliefs for disabled people. You can also call the HMRC helpline 0845 302 0203 and select Option 3. . Other options for contacting HMRC can be accessed here
The product must be being purchased for someone who is chronically ill or disabled.
A person is chronically sick or disabled if he/she is a person:
- with a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon his/her ability to carry out everyday activities
- with a condition which the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes or
- who is terminally ill.
Long Handled Shower Brush
Im big fans of long handled aids they prevent over stretching and act like go-go-gadget arms, giving people extra mobility and independence.
In the shower, long handled washing aids can help your parent easily wash their back as well as their legs and feet without bending down.
I like this option because it can be used wet in the shower, or dry to apply cream.
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