Additional bathing aids
Bath cushions
These are neck and back supports to cushion your body while you’re lying in the bath. An occupational therapist (OT) can advise on which ones are most appropriate for you, and where to place them in the bath.
Bathroom tap turners
Tap turners are small gadgets that fit on to your taps to help you turn them on and off if you have limited strength or dexterity. Different types are available, depending on what sort of taps you have.
Body dryers
If your lack of mobility and dexterity limits your use of a towel to dry yourself, you might want to consider investing in a body dryer.
Body dryers work in the same way as hand dryers, producing jets of warm air to dry your whole body – including hard-to-reach areas, such as your back and the backs of your legs. Wall-mounted driers can be situated either inside, above or just outside your shower cubicle.
Read our article on bathroom adaptations for more significant changes that you can make.
Bathroom extractor fans
Extractor fans help to keep your bathroom free of steam – to reduce poor visibility and slippery surfaces.
Long-handled washing aids
Long-handled body brushes and sponges can help you to clean those hard-to-reach areas of your body without having to twist and turn.
Wall-mounted soap dispensers
If you’re regularly frustrated by bars of soap slipping out of your hand on to the floor, or by having to bend down to pick up a bottle of shower gel, you might consider buying a wall-mounted soap dispenser to have in your shower cubicle or on the wall next to your bath.
Soap dispensers are operated either by pressing a lever to eject the soap, or by cupping your hands underneath an automatic sensor – just like the dispensers found in the toilets of restaurants and public buildings. But they do need to be refilled periodically.
For more bathroom tips, read: 7 ways to make a bathroom safer for an older person
Other bath aids and gadgets
You can buy bath thermometers and water-temperature indicators to help you avoid scalding yourself in water that’s too hot. Special plugs and water-level alarms are also available to stop your bath overflowing – some of these can be part of a telecare monitoring system.
Where to buy bathroom aids
For ideas on where to buy these types of products and more, see our list of popular retailers for independent living products.
Further reading
Are you finding bathing or showering more of a challenge? You may find additional support useful, such as a bath board, ...
If getting into and out of the bath is challenging, a bath lift or hoist could help. Find out what’s available and ...
Choosing the right independent living products can improve your safety and wellbeing, and give you greater independence.
