How to bathe comfortably: during rehab

It’s our view that it shouldn’t be any different. In fact, a big part of our mission at Showerbuddy has always been to give this enjoyment of bathing back to the mobility impaired community. In combination with good OT and support systems, our range has supported thousands of people across the globe to once again enjoy bathing.

But enjoyment when coping with a serious injury is much easier said than done. How can support people and individuals with mobility impairment themselves take the right steps to enable pleasant bathing? We cover this in our guide.

Establish a transferring plan

As with other parts of daily life as someone going through physical rehabilitation, the transition between one position and another is sometimes the most daunting part of all. Transferring in a bathroom into the shower or bathtub unit has been a source of much anxiety for families and individuals. The comfort of bathing shouldn’t just start and finish with the user inside the shower area, but extend to their preparation, entering and exiting the shower as well.

Transfer plans will be based upon your own mobility level and what the OT or PT believes is safest for you. With that said, there are some considerations that will typically be part of this:

• Who will help the individual transfer into and out of the bath/shower area?
• What sort of shower format is in the bathroom?
• Would the individual benefit from a full transfer system?
• Does the support person have the ability to carry the user safely if required?
• If using assistive equipment, when and how will they get into or out of this equipment?

Transfer plans are a key part of the bathroom programme for someone with a physical impairment. Virtually every serious injury will impede safe transfers into and out of a bathtub or shower, so it’s important the transfer plan is through and well-considered.

Clear the bath or shower area from clutter

Are you living in a home shared by a family, possibly with some kids who bring toys into the bathtub or shower? Comfortable bathing experiences benefit greatly from a minimal, uncluttered space, so a support person or family member will want to clear out prior to bathing.

Luckily with systems like the Showerbuddy, the non-destructive installation enables both impaired and non-impaired family members to use the same bathroom each day without too much hassle.

Clutter also means shampoos, soaps and body wash that may be hanging from a wall mounted holder that could reduce the space in which you can bathe. These items can be added back into the mix once the level of upper body movement is such that these can be reached for, grabbed, used and replaced when done.

Determine the most comfortable body position

Body position plays an important role in comfortable bathing. The upright seated position may not work well for someone with an injury that places pressure on the spine or neck. The physical impairment may affect core strength required for practical upright seated positions.

For those who experience these types of challenges, a tilted back position with good neck and back support can remove pressure and regain some comfort during bathing. Some users may still be able to conduct some self-cleaning in this position, while others in this stage may require assistance from a carer.

Preferred body positions can come in many different forms depending on the injury. For example, some users may find one foot higher than the other makes for a better experience. Or perhaps the injury demands more help to stay in place from the help of lap and chest bands. The OT will help determine what mixture of equipment and body position will enable the most comfort – often trialling an approach before adjusting it based on the individual’s feedback.

Make use of bathroom support equipment

Equipment is a huge part of making bathing during physical rehabilitation pleasant. With a day that will require some degree of focused physical rehab, it’s a lot to ask for individuals to strain and struggle while bathing, too. Bathroom equipment, whether it’s grab bars, mats, chairs or transfer benches, are all designed to make life easier for the individual and support person. A good piece of assistive technology in the bathroom will allow more comfort and freedom, rather than demand the individual adjust their preferences to suit the equipment.

Keep to a routine that allows some privacy

Routines are part of all of our lives – even if we don’t consciously recognise this. Bathroom routines are possibly some of the most fixed in our lives. When a sudden injury or condition changes all of this, it can be really hard to feel like we’ve got any privacy at all.

In collaboration with the occupational therapist, plan a routine that affords privacy during bathing – even if this is simply a period of time in which the individual can sit and enjoy the warm stream of water. With the massive adjustment that comes along with recovering from a significant injury, these micro-moments of privacy and solitude will make a difference.

As movement is relearned and strength regained, there can be more moments of privacy, including bathing oneself without input from another person.

Get help from a carer

Carers are there to make the bathing process more comfortable. While it may take some time to build up a level of trust and confidence, this relationship between the individual and their carer can help to meet needs around comfort in the shower each day. For example, there may be requests to adjust body position throughout the bathing process, help wash hair, grab shower products or fetch a towel. The carer is also there to help facilitate safe moments of privacy mentioned above.

The carer relationship can be a complex one. It’s not always the closest family member that should automatically get this job. In fact the individual and OT may decide that it’s in the best interests of maintaining existing relationships to opt for a 3rd party home carer whose only role in the individual’s life is to offer physical assistance.

Protect users from accidental scolding or cold temperatures

Comfort has plenty in common with safety when we’re talking about bathroom use. A shower tap’s temperature setting may by default allow very hot or very cold temperatures, but in a household with a physically injured person, it’s worth taking the steps to reduce risks like scolding. You can speak with an OT about the best way to keep shower temperatures limited to only comfortable levels and then engage a plumber similar qualified professional to adjust your shower or hot water cylinder accordingly.

When going through a process of evolving levels of mobility, there can be moments where attempted movements aren’t executed quite properly; knocking a tap across to a very hot setting without the dexterity to quickly adjust it back presents a burning risk. Best to avoid it altogether!