Bathroom and Toileting Aids For Disabled & Elderly

Grab Bars are a commonly used independent living aid that come in a number of sizes and finish. Used in the bath and toileting area, grab rails or grab bars can help individuals stay stable on their feet.

Independent Living Aids for the disabled and elderly.

evekare manufactures a number of raised toilet seats with differing elevation levels and build material to suit the needs of mobility-impaired users.

A bath chair—or Bath chair—was a rolling chaise or light carriage for one person with a folding hood, which could be open or closed. Used especially by disabled persons, it was mounted on three or four wheels and drawn or pushed by hand.[1] It is so named from its origin in Bath, England,[2] and possibly also after its similarity in appearance to an old-fashioned bathtub.[citation needed]

In this blog, we will introduce you to grab rails as a disability aid, the types of grab rails, its uses and how you can choose the right grab rail based on your needs. What are Grab rails?   Grab rails also known as grab bars are disability aids that are used in the bathing, showering and toileting areas.

Toilet Frames also known as a toilet surround or over toilet frames are  toilet aids that provide a disabled and elderly users extra support, comfort and safety to undertake daily hygiene tasks.

Grab rails also known as grab bars, toilet safety rails and support arms that fall under the category of toilet aids and bath aids. This is a complete buying guide for grab rails.

This is a buying guide for bath boards, a type of bat seating used on bathtubs by mobility-impaired users.

Buying Guide for Bath Seating

ADA compliant designer Grab Bars in a variety of finishes, colors and lengths. Also available with LED night lights. Perfect for bathing, showering and toileting areas.

Extensive range of Bath Chairs, Bath Benches and Bath Stools for the Elderly & Handicapped. Choose from free-standing chairs, stools, suspended seats based on your individual needs.

Bath Chairs at Walgreens. View current promotions and reviews of Bath Chairs and get free shipping - no minimum!

If you're disabled, injured or elderly and your mobility options are limited, invest in a shower chair to bathe more easily and safely. Shower chairs are disability aids that prevent dangerous maneuvers in the bathroom and help you clean your body in a more comfortably position. You'll find an assortment of shower chairs, transfer benches, stools, grab bars, bathtub lifts and more at Walmart.com, so you can avoid slips and falls and bathe without difficulty.

In this blog, we discuss all the different types of raised toilet seats available in the marketplace.

Different Types of Toilet Surrounds - http://disabilityaidsau.simplesite.com/

Introduction to Shower Aids

This blog covers the most commonly asked questions about bath seating including nath chairs and shower chairs

raised-toilet-seats - FAQs For Raised Toilet Seats

For vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, disabled, and mobility restricted, extra support throughout their day to day activities can be essential to ensure that they can continue living their life happily, independently, and safely. In the bathroom, many things can pose a risk for slips, falls, or general injury – slippery surfaces and floors, and constantly moving between seated and standing positions can both issue for people who struggle with vulnerability. Fortunately, there are many safety and support aids that are available to purchase to ensure that these users can continue living independently. One of these aids is a grab bar. Below are some frequently asked questions about grab bars and their functionality to help you decide if the aid is right for you or your user.

What is a grab bar?

Grab bars are a helpful support aid. A long metal rod that attaches to the wall using screws in most cases, allowing users to hold onto them for extra support when moving around a space, most often the bathroom.
What can I use a grab bar for?
Grab bars can be utilized in a range of different situations, even within the bathroom. They can aid users with moving around the bathroom where the floors are slippery, in the shower where they may need extra grip, or even next to the toilet to aid them in moving between seated and standing positions. Grab bars can be placed almost anywhere with many custom configuration options available.
What kinds of grab bars are available to purchase?

There is a very large variety of grab bars available to purchase, each serving a different purpose. Most standard grab bars feature a concealed mount and can be purchased in multiple lengths, diameters, and finishes. The customization level of grab bars is very high. Grab bars with added functionality are also available – one of the most common grab bars is the LED bar. LED grab bars are motion censored, light up grab bars that provide high visibility for the safety aid, even in low lighting situations. Grab bars that have shelving, towel racks, and toilet paper holders attached to them are also available, making the aids extremely functional, even for non-vulnerable users.
Should I talk to an occupational therapist or independent living consultant before purchasing a grab bar?
If you are aware of the in-depth needs of your client, then no – seeing an occupational therapist or independent living consultant is not necessary. However, they can provide you with some advice about what kinds of aids would be best suited to the user, and their existing bathroom space – specifically for grab bars, they may be able to suggest a certain configuration or finish for your user.
What is the weight capacity of a grab bar?

Wall mounted, permanent grab bars are generally designed to be able to support the weight of an adult. However, some grab bars are simply added to the wall via suction, these bars are best used as a grip, but not body-weight support. For grab bars with added functionality such as a toilet paper holder or shelving, they may not be able to support the full body weight of a user either. It is always recommended that before purchasing, you get in touch with the manufacturer to discuss any weight restrictions of the aid that you are specifically buying.
What do I need to consider before purchasing a grab bar?

Many things need to be considered before making a grab bar purchase. First of all, the needs of your user need to be understood to ensure that you are meeting them correctly. This can be done by meeting with an independent living consultant, or simply observing the user and discovering what areas of the bathroom they struggle to maneuver on their own. Another thing to consider is the type of grab bar you’d like, and it’s installation process. Most grab bars need to be wall-mounted, and it is always best to get a professional to install something that is designed to hold body weight.

What dimensions do I need to consider?

Grab bars need to be ADA compliant – meaning that they adhere to the standard of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Even in private spaces, ensuring that the grab bars comply with this act will ensure that the aid will maintain it’s safety integrity throughout use. The ADA dictates some important measurements for installation – which is why it is always suggested that a licensed professional installs this kind of aid.
How are grab bars installed?

Grab bars generally are a wall-mounted aid. Most grab bars come with the option to mount using screws or suction cups.This means that it is highly recommended that this particular aid is installed by a licensed professional with an understanding of ADA standards.
How are grab bars cleaned?

Most grab bars can be cleaned with a simple disinfectant wipe. The bars are commonly made out of steel, or ABS plastic, both materials can be cleaned with regular household cleaning products to maintain hygiene and cleanliness.
What aids can I use in conjunction with grab bars?

Grab bars are an excellent place to start when adding support to your bathroom. The aids that are best suited to enhance the use of grab bars heavily depends on the needs of the user that will be requiring the support. Generally speaking, bath transfer seats are an excellent addition to the bathroom for bathing, and bidet toilet seats can help maintain cleanliness when users are using the toilet. 

Read FAQs for Bath Stools and Shower Stools For Elderly and Disabled Users from the story FAQ on Bath Stool and Shower Stool for Disabled and Elderly by disabi...