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Health

Grab rails

(34 Posts)
Sallywally1 Tue 31-Mar-26 21:22:24

I do like to have a bath in the morning, but since my shoulder operation it has beeen a challenge to get out! I have a mat which helps with slipperiness but wonder if one of those grab rails which you clip on the tiles are any good?

Humbertbear Tue 31-Mar-26 21:25:03

Our grab rail is screwed into t he tiles and is vey useful.

crazyH Tue 31-Mar-26 21:31:17

I somehow don’t trust those suction grab-rails.
I have one screwed on to the bathroom tiles .

Grannynannywanny Tue 31-Mar-26 21:33:50

When I moved into my current home last year I fitted one of these strong suction handles to the shower wall. I’m impressed with how firm it has remained on the wall and hasn’t budged. They were £8.99 each when I bought mine.

Simple to fit in seconds. I bought a twin pack and intend to fit the second one on the other bathroom wall when I have my knee replacement later this year.

www.careco.co.uk/12-super-suction-grab-bar/?queryID=935601ba4e301b7fe6fafdc5049479fb&objectID=5126&indexName=magento2_production_default_products

Grannynannywanny Tue 31-Mar-26 21:39:46

Having said that I use mine to steady myself if needed in the walk in shower. I don’t have a bath so I’ve never pulled with my full weight on it.

Oreo Tue 31-Mar-26 21:43:49

I would have a handyman fix one into the wall/tiles for you.
If you had all your weight on the suction type and it came away imagine your injuries if you crashed backwards into the bath.

Sallywally1 Tue 31-Mar-26 21:43:56

Yes it is the suction ones I was wondering about and how secure they are. Hopefully my shoulder will become stronger over time, but I am scared that a sudden pull might dislocate it.

Oreo Tue 31-Mar-26 21:48:32

Could you just have a shower instead?

Charleygirl5 Tue 31-Mar-26 22:01:35

You shouldn't use a grab rail if you have a shoulder injury. You are likely to do more damage. It is 25 years since I was working so cannot help you professionally as times have changed. Have you googled what is available such as a stool specifically for your problem?

I ended up getting rid of my bath and have a fabulous shower, but I bought an adjustable stool from Amazon.

cornergran Tue 31-Mar-26 22:56:12

We have the same suction handles as grannynw and have been very pleased with them. But, and it’s a big but, they have both been used to steady balance rather than to help pull ourselves up.

Before a TKR we fixed one in the shower cubicle and one next to the toilet. I soon dispensed with the one by the toilet, the handle in the shower has stayed there. It’s great to steady any balance wobbles. Both were helpful when Mr C had a mitral valve repair.

I hope you find something to help sallywally,

luvlyjubly Wed 01-Apr-26 07:34:04

Can you try turning over so that you are on your knees in the bath, then using your leg strength to lift yourself up and holding the sides of the bath just for steadiness? That’s what I used to do when I had a bath.

shysal Wed 01-Apr-26 08:25:52

I have a dodgy shoulder so to get out of the bath I flip over onto all fours from where it is easier to get up to standing. I do the same in reverse to get in to sit.


.

M0nica Wed 01-Apr-26 08:31:19

shysal

I have a dodgy shoulder so to get out of the bath I flip over onto all fours from where it is easier to get up to standing. I do the same in reverse to get in to sit.

.

I have always got out of the bath by rolling onto my knees and pushing up. I did not realise there was an alternative.

fancyflowers Wed 01-Apr-26 09:37:18

We have a suction grab rail in the shower. It was quite difficult to fit in place and took 2 of us to clamp it to the wall. However, it's been there for several months now and doesn't move at all.

As others have said though, perhaps a grab rail isn't the best solution for your shoulder problem.

Franbern Wed 01-Apr-26 09:49:44

In my en-suite shower I have grab rails installed wen this was all fitted. However, in my bathroom, I have installed one of those suction grab rails at the shower end. It is very firm when fixed to shiny tiles. Has green/red colour to show when it is firmly fixed, and has never caused any problems. I have also put a screw on rail at the other end of the bath, to aid anyone climbing or out. These are excellent providing a high up handle and can be easily removed and even taken with when visiting someone else's home.

Greciangirl Sun 05-Apr-26 16:36:04

I am finding it more and more more difficult to get out of my bath. And am contemplating getting a grab rail.
My bath is very narrow, so not enough room to swivel round on to knees.
Each time I bathe, I hope and pray I still have the strength to haul myself up and out.

I don’t want to give in to showers only, so will definitely get a grab rail. Would be handy to have two, but no space for another unfortunately.

Luckygirl3 Sun 05-Apr-26 16:37:52

You need one that is solidly screwed to the wall!!

Greciangirl Sun 05-Apr-26 16:41:47

Yes, I definitely need one screwed into the wall, I think.

It will need to take all my weight.

Gin Sun 05-Apr-26 16:52:11

I think they are expensive but a friend has had an electric device fitted to her bath. It is like a hammock that lowers her in and then back up at the press of a button, she demonstrated (fully clothed of course!) and arose from the depths waving regally! She is absolutely delighted with it.

Astitchintime Sun 05-Apr-26 16:57:08

Definitely gong one securely screwed to the wall……the suction ones appear ok……….until they aren’t and I’ve seen many a nasty fall because they’ve just stopped working!

win Sun 05-Apr-26 16:57:13

luvlyjubly

Can you try turning over so that you are on your knees in the bath, then using your leg strength to lift yourself up and holding the sides of the bath just for steadiness? That’s what I used to do when I had a bath.

This is what I do and I was amazed when speaking to my friend that not every one does that. I have never even as a child tried to stand up forward always roll over on to my knees and up.

grannybuy Sun 05-Apr-26 17:08:08

Up until now, I’ve been raising myself up from a sitting position in the bath. We have a shower room and a bathroom, but I enjoy having a bath. The house was built a few years ago , and has a deeper than average bath for some reason. At the moment, I have a painful shoulder, which is making getting up difficult. I’m in my late 70’s , and just thinking now, that for the first time, I will have to consider going on to my knees, but it’s a scary thought.

WithNobsOnIt Sun 05-Apr-26 17:10:05

Grannynannywanny

When I moved into my current home last year I fitted one of these strong suction handles to the shower wall. I’m impressed with how firm it has remained on the wall and hasn’t budged. They were £8.99 each when I bought mine.

Simple to fit in seconds. I bought a twin pack and intend to fit the second one on the other bathroom wall when I have my knee replacement later this year.

www.careco.co.uk/12-super-suction-grab-bar/?queryID=935601ba4e301b7fe6fafdc5049479fb&objectID=5126&indexName=magento2_production_default_products

Just looked at this and there is a weight limit to use this product just over 14 stone.

Looks a good product but not suitable for everyone.

Get to he screewd in type
Much stronger.

62dg Sun 05-Apr-26 18:55:53

I have a suction grab rail to help me get out of the bath. It was from Amazon and has been excellent.

pably15 Sun 05-Apr-26 19:25:36

we have suction grab rails, 2 in the shower, one just outside the shower and one at the toilet ,which never gets used the shower is tiled , we have to try them before going into the shower.to make sure they're secure. I was told that they don't like metal rails secured by screws, incase it causes water to get behind the screws. I don't see how that would happen, but it's what I was told...Granny nanny that is the same grab rails that I have