Grooming, Bathing, & Safety Tips for the Disabled – What to Know

Maintaining proper personal hygiene is crucial to your health, which is why hair care, nail care, foot care, genital care, and dental care are all basic aspects that should be cleaned on a regular basis. 

While these are straightforward personal care activities most tend to take for granted, people suffering from disabilities may struggle to keep good sanitation without having the proper support.  To that end, we’re here to give you a list of safety tips that can help provide assistance and make your bathing experience as stress-free as it can be. 

Tip #1: Install Grab Bars

Having grab bars in your bathroom can do wonders in adding an extra layer of security and accessibility for people with disabilities. Something as simple as stepping out of the bath can be dangerous, which is why grab bars are crucial as it provides additional support when getting in and out of the bath. The best part is that grab bars enable you to exercise more independence as it enables you to have more control over your movements. 

Tip #2: Install Slip-Resistant Flooring

Installing slip-resistant flooring can be a life-saver as it will significantly reduce your chances of slipping and acquiring injuries. You can have it for both the bathtub and shower too, as these two are the most hazardous area in your bathroom. 

With slip-resistant flooring, you can ensure a safe environment, which allows you to have more freedom to walk out and about in your own bathroom.

Tip #3: Install Raised Toilet Seats

Squatting down to sit on a toilet can be troublesome for people with disabilities. For that reason, having a raised toilet seat can ease the experience and make it more convenient for people to sit down and get back up using less effort. To that end, you can have a professional raise the seat by up to three to six inches. 

Tip #4: Install Tension Poles

For those who are looking for an alternative to grab bars, tension poles are just as effective as you can install them near tubs or showers. Similar to grab bars, tension poles provide people with extra support when moving in and out of the shower. 

Tip #5: Install Roll-In Showers

Taking showers can be a daunting ordeal for people in a wheelchair, which is why roll-in showers can significantly make lives easier as it is specifically designed for those in a wheelchair. Keep in mind that roll-in showers must meet the standard of the American Disabilities Association, which should have a dimension of 60×30. 

For people with disabilities, simple everyday tasks such as washing and grooming can be a challenging ordeal. It demands movements from the wrist, hands, arms, and muscles that most people tend to overlook. With that in mind, personal hygiene can cost people their independence without the proper tips and equipment to assist them. 

Learn more about our prosthesis safety and solutions from Lindhe Xtend. Feel free to get in touch with us today to see how we can help!