Help getting in and out of bath

My neighbour had some assistance in paying for a wet room as her husband has Parkinsons. There is a shower curtain round the shower area to keep the rest of the room dryish but enough space for her to get in and help him. It looks good and they are very pleased with it.

There is a stool for him to sit on.

Oh yuck. Give me a shower any day.

Luckygirl3 I think the bath lift is a better help than the cushion as it has 'wings' at the side to help with easy transfer onto the seat. Also I think a bath lift is easier to clean. The cushion seems to have a lot of folds which could trap dirt. I have not seen one in operation and it wasn't one that the local social work department issued.

www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathroom-aids/bath-lifts/electric-bath-lifts/mangar-bathing-cushion?sku=M18217&gclid=CjwKCAiAzrWOBhBjEiwAq85QZwCaDYWAE3X1m4NfTbxmqz5dcjeKfD59l9_ijBD5x_e9tDHFWt_ckxoC88MQAvD_BwE

This is the one I mentioned. Don't buy one from the manufacturer - they cost twice as much.

Hetty, I used my bath once long ago, for my house plants while we were away for just one week. When we came back I peered through the kitchen door and shouted to Mr Barmey, any reason why the the kitchen ceiling is on the floor. You can guess what had happened, needed a new kitchen, staircase, ceilings and goodness knows what around £20,000 of damaged. All because I wanted to keep my plants from drying out.

Serendipity22 I have heard of people doing similar to you with rope or towels and damaging the plumbing. Look at a 'Hampshire tap rail' which I think you will find will fit the bill. Hope that may help.

I don't use my bath - except for giving houseplants a little shower - but guests use it for their children. I have a separate shower room with a large, rectangular shower and a flip-up wall seat (really useful for washing feet with my dodgy back).

I don't think that having no bath would devalue a home or put many people off. It's really quite simple to have one put in - and fairly cheap too.

Do have exactly what suits you in your home.

My mum got a bath seat from occupational therapy, it had a remote control to lower or raise. It was brilliant.

Dustyhen2010 I've been having a look on line and the sort of seat we used to have isn't hugely expensive. Once Christmas is properly over I shall have a proper look round.

How glad am i to read of others using 'devices' to get out of the bath, phewwww, thought it was just me.

Well my story is a funny one ( well it is to me ) I usually call for my husband to assist ( by that i mean yank on my left arm and pull me up !!!!) This particular time i thought bugger it, its either end up with my arm dislocated orrrrrr proceed with my ingenious idea, which i did ( my ingenious idea ) ..... i wrapped a short washing line around the taps, laid the ends on a towel that was drapped over the side of the bath, then when the time arrived for me to vacate the bath i grabbed the loose ends of the rope and pulled myself up ( i was laying down in the bath by the way )

Da-daaaa it worked but then i thought hmmm if i do this tooooo many times i will end up pulling the bath taps off hahahahahaha.

When i was explaining it to my neighbour she almost wet herself laughing ( me too )

If you have a house that a first time buyer or a young family might be then it’s good to keep the bath in as I was told families like giving children baths. So removing your bath might well devalue it.

I can't get in and out of a bath nowadays and have had a shower for years, which I much prefer. Quicker, easier and uses less water. I don't believe that replacing a bath with a shower makes any difference to the value of a property but the obvious 'old lady' attachments are offputting IMO.

Take a look at MANGAR bath aids - it goes in the bath and inflates.

Deedaa What a shame the bath lift was removed. It sounds like you should be entitled to get one now going by your description of your medical conditions. How this is done will depend on what area you are in. Phone the social work department and ask for an Occupational Therapist to visit to do a bathing assessment. Explain that your lack of mobility due to knee replacements and restricted movement in your shoulder are causing difficultly bathing and you are at risk of slipping or getting stuck in the bath. It may be that the Occupational Therapist will see other areas where aids or equipment can make your life easier and will be able to advise. I hope you get your bath lift.

DH was given a seat lift by occupational health. With my replacement knees and frozen shoulders I found it invaluable but they took it back when he died. I am looking at replacing it and had been wondering about the belt type but, after seeing Dustyhen2010 's comment, I think I shall stick with the seat lift.

My mum has never had a house with a shower, I don’t think she’d cope with learning to use one. Lying in a warm bath is balm for her arthritis, too.

SueDonim

My mum has a seat lift in her bath. It was fitted FOC by the occupational health dept of her local council. They come and check it every year and replace anything that needs it.

MoL had one worked a treat. Or think about a shower with a seat.

My late MiL had her bath taken out and replaced with a shower and it didn’t devalue her house in any way. All work was done by a B&Q contractor.

My mum has a seat lift in her bath. It was fitted FOC by the occupational health dept of her local council. They come and check it every year and replace anything that needs it.

Walk in shower is the way to go when you are older. We wouldn’t have anything else, so much easier, and I’m sure most younger people prefer a shower, with today’s busy lifestyles.

As you get older getting into and out of a bath becomes increasing difficult and the prospect of getting stuck in one isn't much fun. However if you become unable to manage you can get, via your community Occupational Therapist at the social work dept, equipment to help. At one time this was free (and maybe still is) as it was on 'loan'. The type issued was a firm seat in the bath which could raise and lower with a control. The OT could certainly give you the best advice and save you wasting money. I have seen the belt sort and it wasn't used by the lady as it was unsteady. The bath with the door, as someone else said, is too chilly to be comfortable to use. Ideally a shower without a ledge is the best as you can use a shower chair if you become unsteady and get a grab rail installed on the wall. If you have to be wheeled into the shower the lack of rim is ideal.

The idea that removing the bath downvalues the property is a very old fashioned idea. It makes very little difference nowadays.

I was wondering if anyone has experience of the bath lifts which appear to consist of a belt which is controlled and lowers one into the bath? |thank you for comments so far.

I have a garden cushion ready on the sill by the bath, and when finished, turn over with the cushion under knees (both replaced) and get up from there.

I had our bath removed shortly after we moved in and a walk in shower installed. The bath was dangerously slippery and very cheap apparently and we don't like those nasty rubber mats either. The property has been valued since and there was no mention of bath or shower comparisons but the fact that we have a water meter may have been a consideration on that score.
I have to add, never heard of anyone slipping and drowning in a shower but attended a few over the years who had done so in the bath.........just saying.