How to Be More Independent with Adapted Bathing and Grooming Aids

Prepare to be surprised. If you think that assistive bathing aids consist entirely of long-handled back scrubbers and plastic "stickies" for the bathtub floor, you have not been keeping up with the latest advances ! Bathing aids have come a long way in the last five to ten years. In fact, bathing aids have now come so far that it's possible for an elderly person, a person with arthritis, or someone who just has a difficult time tending to himself or herself--to bathe entirely unassisted by another person. Sound too good to be true?

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Long handled hair and body washers
• Tooth brushing and flossing aids
• Adapted nail clippers
• Shower and Bath Safety Bars
• Shower and Bath Chairs

1. Find ways to feel safer and more secure when entering or exiting the bathtub. Certainly you can add safety treads to the slippery floor, if you wish; but there are many other ways you can feel comfortable. There are different grab bars available. A two-level grab bar slides right over the side of the tub, and allows you to have something stable to hold onto.
2. Enjoy the shower or bath with special body and hair washing aids. You'll be pleased to discover a special class of long-handled washing aids...custom-made for the bathtub or shower. Angled, ergonomically correct, light-weight, and with easy-to-hold soft "grippy" handles, these washers are the perfect aids for cleaning your hair and body in either the bath or the shower. You say you still want the old-fashioned long-handle back scrubbers? They're still around - only improved ! There are brushes that help you wash under your toes--without having to bend over. And then there are long-handled lotion applicators, and long-handled foot brushes, and long-handled sponges. Practically every bathing implement you can imagine--but with a long handle attached to it! Imagine that!
3. Experience less discomfort when brushing and flossing! Is there anything more difficult than grasping two ends of dental floss? Easy to hold floss aids help you grip the floss as you move it through your teeth. Special grips are available to make gripping your toothbrush less painful for arthritic hands.
4. Identify ways to care for you nails with more ease ! Nail clippers, files, and brushes are small, difficult to operate, and have a tendency to slip. The best solution for these problems is to widen and lengthen the clipper handles, and give them soft indentations that fit your thumb. These easy-to-grip nail clippers are just the thing to get your nails trimmed with minimal fuss. If you still need more stability, you'll want to use clippers securely mounted to a non-slip clipper board. And don't forget the toes. Long-reach toenail clippers extend your reach and help you get within eight inches of your feet, for easy clipping action.
5. Style your own hair with special long handle brushes and combs. This is one area where folks often need to ask a spouse or caregiver for assistance--yet it's also a very personal task that most people prefer to do by themselves. Do it yourself with extended brushes and combs that lengthen your reach up to fourteen inches. Soft, non-slip handles and smart designs always make these grooming aids a pleasure to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give up on grooming independently.
• Levels of disability may vary from day to day with arthritic illness - you don't know what you can achieve on any particular day until you try.
• Don't be embarrassed to ask for help when you need it.