Making Life Easier: Help With Bathing

• Non-slip Mats
• Grab Rails
• Bath Seats and Boards
• Bath Lifts
• Where to Obtain Equipment
• Where to Obtain Help to Bathe
• Further help and advice 
• Where to Buy and Hire Equipment

 For a quick look at some of the services available for people with a hearing, sight or mobility problem, carers and people struggling to keep their independence, you can watch our 6 minute DVD, which is called Help with social care from Adult Services. You can also watch the 11 minute DVD, which is the British Sign Language version

If you do not have Realplayer, please visit www.real.com  (for free Realplayer download).

This page is aimed at anyone who is having difficulties at home because of mobility problems. In particular, it looks at how you can overcome problems with bathing.

Having a bath should be enjoyable and relaxing but safety must be your first consideration. Bathing can be dangerous for anyone, but the risk increases with disability and old age.

Listed below are a few tips to make bathing easier.

• Use a non-slip mat in the bath.
• Use special equipment such as a long handled sponge to help with washing.
• Where possible, bathe when someone else is in the house.
• Close the door when you have a bath but keep it unlocked.
• Ensure the bathroom is warm

Non-slip Mats

• Most chemists and some large supermarkets sell non-slip mats for the bath. They will help to stop your feet sliding when you stand up in the bath.
• One thing to remember though is that the rubber suction pads on the bottom of the mat do wear out, so it is worth checking them regularly.

Grab Rails

• Well positioned grab rails can give you extra support and leverage when you're getting in and out the bath.
• They are quite easy to fit but must be fitted securely.

Bath Seats and Boards

• There are lots of different types of bath seats and boards available. A bath board can also be used for showering in the bath
• Before you decide which one to buy, get advice from the salesperson. The best one for you will depend on the size of your bath and the material it is made from.

Bath Lifts

• Bath lifts are battery operated and will lift you in and out of the bath.
• Seek advice or ask for a demonstration before you purchase this type of equipment. Further information on points to consider when buying a bath lift is available from the Assist UK Website . or contact Adult Assessment and Customer Care Team on 0161 342 2400.

Where to Obtain Equipment

If you would like to find out more about this type of equipment you can visit one of the Disabled Living Centres in Manchester or in Stockport and ask for advice and a demonstration.

Information on purchasing your own equipment.

NB: Only bathe if you feel well enough to do so. Never use equipment which has been supplied for someone else as it might not be suitable or safe for you.

Where to Obtain Help to Bathe

If you need someone to come and help you have a bath there are a number of options.

You may qualify for help from Adult Services Home and Community Support Service. The home care service may be able to provide you with a home care worker to help you with a range of personal care tasks, including washing. To find out if you qualify you will need to have an assessment.

Contact Adult Services for more information

You can employ a home care worker privately through one of the many home care agencies in Tameside. Contact Adult Services for a list of private agencies.

If you don't mind going somewhere else to have a bath, you may be interested in the Laurel Bank Bathing Service. You will be picked up from your home, taken to Laurel Bank where you will be helped to have a bath, and then taken back home again. There is a charge for this service.

 Laurel Bank Bathing Service, Knott Lane, Gee Cross, Hyde SK14 5HZ 
0161 368 3159

The Occupation Therapy and Manual Handling Team is able to provide a bathing assessmnet in certain circumstances.  This usually if you have a medical condition that is unlikely to improve.

Further help and advice

If you need any further information or advice on the alterations outlined on this page, or you have particular difficulties because of disability you can contact Adult Services.

Information is also available at the Disabled Living Centre in Manchester. There is a permanent display of equipment for you to try. The service offers impartial advice about items that can help you keep your independence. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Direct Equipment Helpline
(9am to 4pm - Monday to Friday) 0161 839 8383

Age Concern  provides a wide range of services for older people, including a wheelchair hire service. Their First Call Scheme can assist with minor repairs and security measures, together with the fitting of hand rails and grab rails.

Where to Buy and Hire Equipment

Please note that we cannot recommend particular companies. Inclusion on this page does not constitute a recommendation.

This list is not exhaustive. The Disabled Living Centre in Manchester , have details of manufacturers and suppliers of equipment on a national scale.

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross can lend items of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, bed rests and commodes to people on a short-term basis.

Manchester South and Central Branch

Bradbury House, 10 Brindley Road, City Park, Cornbrook, Manchester, M16 9HQ 
0161 888 8900   0161 888 8901 (www.redcross.org.uk )
(9.30am -12.30pm Mon to Wed)

Manchester North East Branch

Amalfi House, 285 Featherstall Road North, Oldham, OL1 2NH 
0161 888 4893   0161 888 8901 (www.redcross.org.uk )
(9.30am -12.30pm Mon to Wed)

Help Shop

71 Lees Road, Oldham OL4 1JW 0161 652 2071
(9am to 4.30pm Mon to Fri) (9am to 1pm Sat)

A wide range of daily living and nursing equipment is available for purchase including mobility equipment, high seat chairs, continence products, wide fitting footwear. In addition, some items are available for hire such as wheelchairs and commodes.

Mobility Supplies

The Courtyard, Wellington Road North, Stockport SK4 1HT 
0161 429 6000
(9.30am to 4.30pm Mon to Fri and 9.30am to 1.30pm Sat)

Mobility Supplies has a range of equipment to buy.  They hire out scooters, wheelcharis and hoists.  They will carry out servicing and testing of the above equipment and they have a repair service. 

Tameside Healthcare

Bentinck Street, Ashton under Lyne OL7 0PT 
0161 330 1446 0161 343 2077

Tameside Healthcare has a range of equipment to buy and also has some equipment available for hire. They also do repairs to equipment including bathlifts and equipment.

Wheelchair Centre and Invalid Aids

229 Droylsden Road, Audenshaw M34 5ZT
0161 370 2661/5949 0161 3710678 
(9am to 6pm Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri) (9am to 1pm Sat)

The Wheelchair Centre has a range of walking aids and other equipment as well as scooters, manual and electric wheelchairs. Some equipment is available for hire and there is a voucher scheme for manual wheelchairs.

Further information is available if you are having difficulties with steps and stairs.

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Tameside Adult Services Stalybridge Resource Centre Waterloo Road Stalybridge SK15 2AU View local map
0161 342 2400
0161 342 2460
0161 342 2577