Ins and outs of bathing (view report contents)
Guide to portable bath lifts
This part of the report are based on tests of portable bath lifts carried out by the Medical Devices Agency. Nearly all of the brands tested have now been replaced by newer models, so we haven’t included test results. But the general information should help you when choosing between those in the shops now.
How do they work?
The bath lifts tested had a seat which fitted in the bath, and which moved up and down. You slide from the side of the bath on to the seat and it lowers you gently into the bath. You stay on the seat while you have the bath. After your bath, the seat lifts you to the top of the bath.
Most were powered by rechargeable batteries. The Bathability was not tested, and was different to those that were. It worked by springs. It is a stool which stands in the bath. When you sit on it you are slowly lowered down. When you want to get out, you flick a lever and the springs slowly push the seat up - you have to be able to push down on the rim of the bath to take your weight off the seat to start the springs working. From £300 – details from Warren Hooker Rehab Ltd.
Is a portable bath lift for you?
You have to be able to get on and off the lift’s seat from the side of the bath and you have to be able to lift your legs over the rim of the bath. If you can’t do this, think about a fixed lift or hoist which you get on outside the bath.
Will it fit your bath?
All the lifts tested would fit standard shaped baths. They rested on the floor of the bath and didn’t need screw holes or any alteration to the bath.
Most lifts had a sucker at each corner of its base to hold it in place. The bottom of the bath has to be flat enough to allow the suckers to get enough grip. Some had two suckers at the front, and a stabilising bar behind the seat. You adjusted this until it pressed firmly enough against the side of the bath to hold the seat in place. If you have a plastic bath, check with the manufacturer that the sides of the bath will be strong enough to take the pressure.
If you have a corner bath, or your bath is an unusual shape, you should check with the lift’s manufacturer or supplier whether the lift will fit.
Your weight
Most lifts tested could take people weighing up to 127kg (20st); some could lift people weighing up to 140 kg (22st).
Carrying
All the bath lifts tested could be taken out of the bath and fitted in another - useful when you are visiting, say. But most were fairly heavy and were awkwardly shaped for lifting and carrying. Some could be taken apart and one model tested folded flat. But even so, none of the lifts dismantled into easy-to-carry parts.
Getting the lift into the bath
Getting them in and out of the bath meant bending and lifting which could be difficult for some people. The suckers which held the lifts in place had a strong grip. A tag you pulled to release the suction helped.
None of the users in the tests would have been able to carry and fit the lift into their baths without help. About half of their carers said this was reasonably easy for them, but nearly as many found this was difficult or impossible to do.
Comfort
Comfort is a personal thing. The size of the seat did not make much difference to comfort on the lifts tested - most users thought they were just about right.
Seats
Most seats were hard plastic. Some had a slightly textured surface to make them less slippery. Some had cushioned pads either as standard or as an extra. We don’t recommend using a lift with an ordinary waterproof cushion unless you can attach it to the seat firmly enough to stop it slipping. Be careful that padded seats do not tear, and become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Backrests
These are important if you need support. Generally the higher the backrest the more supportive it was thought to be. The angle of the backrest also made a difference. If you have limited hip movement you may need a backrest which leans back rather than being upright.
Legroom
This also affects comfort. If you are tall, check the lift will leave you enough room to straighten your legs as far as you want to in the bath.
Using the lift
Getting on and off – most of the seats tested had the option of flaps which folded out over the gap between the seat and the side of the bath. This makes sliding on and off easier but may be uncomfortable to sit on if you are wider that the lift’s seat. With some models you had to pay extra for sideflaps. Most people said getting on or off the seat was manageable rather than easy.
Using the controls – most lifts had separate hand controls
- rather like the remote control on a television but attached by wire,
and bigger. The testers found that the easiest controls to use were those
with push buttons which did not need much force.
All the controls could be hung out of the way over the edge of the bath.
Some had suckers or a Velcro strip so that they could be stuck to the
side of the bath or lift.
Most controls were not clearly marked for people with poor sight but were simple to use by touch.
In the bath
Generally, the lower the seat is in the bath, the better, because you need less water and you can have deeper baths.
Report contents
Introduction
How to use this guide
Holding on
Helpful Aids
Getting in and out of the bath
Baths and showers
Loos and basins
Hoists and lifts
Guide to portable bath lifts
Checklist of things to look for
Help, information and advice
Useful publications
Manufacturers
