Ins and outs of bathing (view report contents)
Helpful Aids
There are dozens of gadgets to help you in the bathroom. We list a few
below to give you a general idea –
click here for where to find out more.
Bathing, washing and drying
Sponges, loofahs, bathbrushes and flannels with long handles for hard-to-reach parts of the body cost £3-£20. A large sponge which fixes to a shower wall (£5-£6) can help with washing your back. Soap holders keep soap in reach (£2-£12) and dispensers for liquid soap have levers which can be pushed by hand, fist or elbow (£19-£43); an automatic model senses when your hand is under it (£140-£150).
Body driers work like hair dryers and are either mounted on a wall or on a stand. Some are designed to dry your hands and face (£170-£370), and some dry your whole body.
Grooming
You can buy long handled versions of many grooming aids. These include scissors, hair brushes and combs and sponge rollers for applying lotions to hard-to-reach parts of the body. They cost from around £5-£22.
A nail brush or emery board with suckers to fix it to a smooth flat surface can help people with the use of only one hand and costs about £5.
You can get handles of different shapes and sizes for razors and other hand-held implements. Or fit thick foam tubing around an existing handle. If gripping is particularly difficult, a resin which can be shaped to whatever shape you find easiest can be moulded round an existing handle.
Electric toothbrushes may be easier for some people, although you still have to hold the brush. Toothbrush holders for ordinary toothbrushes fix to the wall and hold the brush for you - you clean your teeth by moving your head (£23). Dispensers squeeze toothpaste onto your toothbrush when you push a lever (£6-£10).
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
