Tools for Living Well Toolkit - Canadian Association of Occupational ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

20 Chapter THREE - Assistive Devices and Fall Prevention Example of a bath/shower seat Example of a transfer bench with a backrest (extends over the side of the tub for easier access into and out of the bathtub Tools for Living Well 4. Bathtub and shower seats A bathtub or shower seat may also be referred to as a chair, bench or stool. Bathtub and shower seats are devices used in the bathtub or shower that allow the user to sit without having to get right to the bottom of the bathtub. They are designed for people who have difficulty raising or lowering themselves into the bottom of the tub and for those with limited tolerance for standing in the shower. They are usually used with a hand held shower head, which allows the user to direct the water as desired from the seated position. Brochure 5 is a handout on bathtub and shower seats that you can share with your community and businesses. a) Bathtub and shower seat options A variety of bathtub and shower seats are available. ● Bathtub and shower seats are usually made of plastic, wood or metal. ● Some bathtub benches fit inside the bathtub. Others extend outside of the bathtub (transfer bench), so the user can sit on the bench outside of the bathtub, slide his/her legs over the bathtub rim, and then slide further along the bench until he/she is in the bathtub. ● Some bathtub and shower seats have padding to make them more comfortable to sit on; others have a plastic seat. Some have non-slip seat surfaces. ● Some bathtub and shower seats have a back support to increase stability and comfort while sitting. ● Some bathtub and shower seats are height adjustable. ● Bathtub and shower seats must have non-slip feet. b) Choosing a bathtub or shower seat The specific requirements for a bathtub or shower seat depend in part, on the user’s needs. For example, for users who have difficulty balancing for whatever reason and require additional support, bathtub or shower seats with back support are best. Similarly, for people who have difficulty balancing themselves to enter the bathtub, bath benches that extend over the bathtub rim are safest because the person can sit down on the bench first, and then bring each leg into the tub.
c) Cost of bathtub and shower seats Generally, a bathtub or shower seat costs between $40 and $100 CDN (as of 2004). Bathtub and shower seats can be purchased at specialty medical stores. Some department stores, pharmacies and hardware stores may also carry them. 5. Non-slip bathtub and shower mats Non-slip surfaces are a basic safety feature for both inside and outside the bathtub and shower to prevent slipping. Bathtub or shower mats will help prevent falls in the bathtub and shower by providing traction while moving around, especially when stepping in and out of the bathtub or shower stall. Brochure 6 is a handout on non-slip bathtub and shower mats that you should share with your community and businesses. Mats for inside the bathtub or shower should have many suction cups on the back to make them stick to the bottom of the tub. A good quality bath mat is thick, flexible, and has good suction. A safe bath mat covers the full bottom surface of the tub. Always pull the mat up after bathing is finished and clean the top and bottom of the mat. If left on the bottom of the tub and not cleaned, water gets trapped under and around the suction cups and can cause mildew and other unsanitary conditions. Many rubber bath mats can be washed in the washing machine on gentle cycle. Washing them with a couple of towels will help to remove any soap residue from the bath mat that may prevent it from properly sticking to the surface of the tub. When bath mats get older, they dry out and crack, and do not stick well. Bathmats should be replaced periodically. Bathroom floor mats (or rugs) on the floor outside the tub or shower need to be non-slip as well. Many bathroom floors are made of tile or vinyl. Thus, bath mats without a rubber backing may slide on the floor when stepping in or out of the tub or shower, causing a fall. A solid rubber backing is essential to ensure the mat will not slip. Floor mats should also be checked regularly for wear, to ensure that they provide friction. Chapter THREE - Assistive Devices and Fall Prevention Safety tips for bathtub and shower seats Bath seats should be adjusted so that it is easy and safe for the user to get up and sit down, and to feel balanced and secure when sitting. Bathtub or shower seats should have non-slip rubber tips on the legs. Rubber tips will provide suction on the tub bottom. A bathtub bench or shower seat should be stable enough to support the user who may need to put weight on it to help him or her sit down. Non-slip seats are safest. Everybody is vulnerable to slipping, so we recommend that everyone use non-slip mats for inside and outside bathtubs and shower stalls. Tools for Living Well 21
Page 1: Toolkit Assistive Devices to Help P
Page 4 and 5: IV Preface Tools for Living Well
Page 6 and 7: VI Acknowledgements Tools for Livin
Page 8 and 9: VIII Table of Contents Chapter ONE
Page 10 and 11: X Table of Contents Program Tool 4:
Page 12 and 13: 2 Chapter ONE - Introduction Tools
Page 14 and 15: 4 Chapter ONE - Introduction Figure
Page 16 and 17: 6 Chapter TWO - Preventing Falls Fa
Page 18 and 19: 8 Chapter TWO - Preventing Falls Re
Page 20 and 21: 10 Chapter TWO - Preventing Falls T
Page 22 and 23: 12 Chapter THREE - Assistive Device
Page 34 and 35: 24 Chapter FOUR - Getting Started:
Page 42 and 43: 32 Chapter FIVE - Selecting and Pla
Page 44 and 45: 34 Chapter SIX - Approaching and Wo
Page 52 and 53: 42 Chapter SEVEN - Evaluating your
Page 58 and 59: 48 References Tools for Living Well
Page 60 and 61: 50 Appendix ONE - An Overview of th
Page 72 and 73: 62 Appendix TWO - Other Resources T
Page 74 and 75: 64 Evaluation Tools Tools for Livin
Page 76 and 77: 66 Evaluation Tools Evaluation Tool
Page 78 and 79: 68 Evaluation Tools Tools for Livin
Page 80 and 81:
70 Evaluation Tools PART B Please p
Page 82 and 83:
72 Evaluation Tools 3. Do you think
Page 84 and 85:
74 Evaluation Tools 8. Are there an
Page 86 and 87:
76 Evaluation Tools 5. How much do
Page 88 and 89:
78 Evaluation Tools Tools for Livin
Page 90 and 91:
80 Evaluation Tools PART B Please p
Page 92 and 93:
82 Evaluation Tools 6. Do you think
Page 94 and 95:
84 Evaluation Tools 5. Do you curre
Page 96 and 97:
Page 98 and 99:
88 Evaluation Tools 2. Comments rel
Page 100 and 101:
90 Evaluation Tools 3. Do you curre
Page 102 and 103:
Page 104 and 105:
94 Program Tools Tools for Living W
Page 106 and 107:
96 Program Tools Program Tool 1 Sli
Page 108 and 109:
98 Program Tools Slide 19 Tools for
Page 110 and 111:
100 Program Tools ● find out what
Page 112 and 113:
102 Program Tools Other potential s
Page 114 and 115:
104 Program Tools Retail Stores Har
Page 116 and 117:
106 Program Tools Department Stores
Page 118 and 119:
108 Program Tools Tools for Living
Page 120 and 121:
110 Program Tools Inclination: Has
Page 122 and 123:
112 Program Tools Priority setting
Page 124 and 125:
114 Program Tools Homebuilders Busi
Page 126 and 127:
116 Program Tools Strategic Plannin
Page 128 and 129:
118 Program Tools Program Tool 5 To
Page 130 and 131:
Page 132 and 133:
Page 134 and 135:
124 Program Tools ● providing inf
Page 136 and 137:
126 Program Tools ● listing their
Page 138 and 139:
128 Program Tools o help to ensure
Page 140 and 141:
130 Program Tools Action to mainten
Page 142 and 143:
132 Program Tools Action to mainten
Page 144 and 145:
134 Program Tools Locally, Tools fo
Page 146 and 147:
136 Brochures Tools for Living Well
Page 148 and 149:
Page 150 and 151:
140 Brochures WALKING WITH A CANE
Page 152 and 153:
142 Brochures WHAT ARE HIP PROTECTO
Page 154 and 155:
Page 156 and 157:
146 Brochures WHO SHOULD USE A BATH
Page 158 and 159:
148 Brochures WHO SHOULD USE NON-SL
Page 160 and 161:
150 Brochures Nearly half of all in
Page 162 and 163:
152 Brochures ACCOMMODATIONS • Us
Page 164 and 165:
154 Brochures BATHROOM • Install
Page 166 and 167:
156 Brochures • Seniors' falls re
Page 168 and 169:
158 Brochures HIP PROTECTOR SUPPLIE
Page 170:
160 Brochures HIP PROTECTOR SUPPLIE
show all

Tools for Living Well Toolkit - Canadian Association of Occupational ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?