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| Walk in baths and bath lifts available to view at our Stoke on Trent Showroom |
We have both a walk in bath and a bath lift on display in our everyday independent living aids showroom.
Call us today to find out more - Call us 01782 611 411!
A lengthy soak in the bath has also long been an aid for
relieving aching muscles too. And of
course immersing yourself in a warm bath in a steam filled room is good for
your skin and pores keeping them healthy.
Imagine not being able to enjoy a long, lingering bath or
worse still, not being able to get in and out of the bath. This is often the case for those with
disabilities or those who are less nimble due to ageing, so a little help is needed.
There are a number of aids from bath seats combined with
grab handles to swivel chairs to help users get in and out of the bath. However if mobility is a real problem, then
a bath lift is probably the answer.
Here 's how to find us:-
Here 's how to find us:-
N.B. Bath boards usually just fit across the top of the bath
as do bath seats. Both allow the user
to sit and then lower themselves into the water or indeed, sit on the
board/seat and wash from there if they don’t feel safe lowering themselves into
the water.
Here's Keith demonstrating a bath lift - an inexpensive alternative to a walk in bath.
Here's Keith demonstrating a bath lift - an inexpensive alternative to a walk in bath.
The first bath lift
It was as recently as 1980 that Dave Garman invented the
first pneumatic-based bath lift. He was
inspired to invent this aid when his own ageing parents were having problems
getting in and out of the bath and there seemed to be nothing on the market to
help.
It was an instant success and won a TV award for innovation
almost immediately. He was recognised
for an industry award (British Healthcare Trades Association) about 5 years ago
when he was 85 for his invention.
History of bathing
Taking a bath seems perfectly natural to most of us but
bathing hasn’t always been a necessity or taken in the privacy of your own
home. Here’s a brief history
As far back as 2000 BC, the Egyptians loved bathing.
In fact, Egyptians obsessed with bathing and thought foreigners dirty.
The first known heated bath was in Egypt in 600 AD
Romans knew that cleanliness reduced disease
Roman aqueducts brought clean water to their public bath houses
Many towns all over Europe had bath houses in the Middle Age
Edward III installed a bathroom in the Palace of Westminster in the 14th Century
As far back as 2000 BC, the Egyptians loved bathing.
In fact, Egyptians obsessed with bathing and thought foreigners dirty.
The first known heated bath was in Egypt in 600 AD
Romans knew that cleanliness reduced disease
Roman aqueducts brought clean water to their public bath houses
Many towns all over Europe had bath houses in the Middle Age
Edward III installed a bathroom in the Palace of Westminster in the 14th Century
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| Public domain |
In Tudor times, people sometimes used the rivers to bathe in during the summer months.
Henry VIII had a bathroom at Hampton Court Palace.
From 1800 people used portable metal tubs.
In Victorian times some middle class homes had bathrooms.
It wasn’t until the 1900 that homes in general began to get bathrooms and then not all.
Some houses didn’t get bathrooms until half way through the 20th Century.
Bath lifts
Getting into the bath with the greatest of ease ... no, you
don’t need a flying trapeze, just a bath lift.
With personal bathing a fairly recent thing for the masses, bath lifts
are a relatively modern invention. Most
bath lifts are operated either hydraulically or by battery power. They can be taken in and out of the bath so
that other people can use the tub.
They are usually seat shaped i.e. with a seat and back
rest. Their highest point is level with
the bath top so that access is relatively easy. Once the person has sat on the seat and their legs are in the
bath then it can be lowered into the water.
Some bath lifts have reclining backs so that users can get to immerse as
much of their bodies as possible.
Battery operated bath lifts will need regular charging. Some have a safety feature which will not
allow the bath lift to lower into the water unless there is enough power to
come back out again. This is very
important as no one wants to be stuck in the water!
Bath lifts do make it possible for those with mobility
difficulties to retain some independence and bathe alone. For those who need care, it is easier for
carers to work with a bath lift rather than having to physically help someone
into the bath when slipping or back injuries to the carer can be a
risk.
Many bath lifts are ‘mobile’ so they can fold up when out of
the bath and not in use. There are also
bath lifts that are fixed to a vertical pole positioned outside of the
bath. This allows the user to transfer
onto the seat and then swivel round and lowered into the bath. Battery operated or electric versions can
usually be operated by the user with a handset. If the bath lift is operated manually (hydraulically), they
usually have a handle that needs turning and are intended for a carer to use.
There are overhead track sling hoists for those who are
severely immobile. These hoist the user
right up and then immerse them into the water, and would
be operated by a carer.
Types of bath lift
The seats of bath lifts should be comfortable and easy to
clean but there are several different materials used to make them.
Moulded plastic is lightweight and
easy to clean and pretty sturdy
Polished wood is comfortable and
easy to slide onto and clean. The
polish can wear away and may need attention with wear
Wooden seat with cork top feels warm to sit on and the textured surface will mean bathers
don’t slip off. However users will need
to be able to lift themselves off and wear may make it more difficult to clean
Painted or plastic coated wood are easy to slide onto and clean. Surfaces may chip in time and will need attention or even
resurfacing
Coated metal is easy to slide
onto and will withstand long use. Metal
coated boards are also stronger and heavier and will take larger weights
Padded seats add extra comfort
especially for those in pain or the very thin
Slatted or perforated seats allow water to drain away easily and are less slippery
Cut away fronts allow easier
personal washing
This factsheet will give you much more information about bath lifts, alternative
baths and other bathing aids, and when you are ready to buy then why not come and see a walk in bath in the showroom at Wolstanton?
They can be designed to fit into a small or larger space so you could raing in your measurements or call into the showroom to have a look. Also we can get our approved bathroom installation company to come and give you a no-obligation quote for you to consider as well.
Our number is 01782 611 411
They can be designed to fit into a small or larger space so you could raing in your measurements or call into the showroom to have a look. Also we can get our approved bathroom installation company to come and give you a no-obligation quote for you to consider as well.
Our number is 01782 611 411
