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Copyright ©2010
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| Information Reviewed: |
Safety in the Bathroom: Benches and Lifts |
| Author(s): |
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging |
| Source: |
Buffalo, NY: The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging |
| Date: |
2000 |
| Type: |
Report |
| Overview: |
To prevent accidents and make bathing easier for people with disabilities, several products are available. A run-through of bathing assists, includes:
Transfer bench. This long, stationary seats rests part inside and part outside the tub. To use it, a person sits outside the tub then slides his or her body across the seat to get in the tub. Suction cups on the legs prevent slippage on the height-adjustable bench.
Padded bench. Similar to the transfer bench, the bench has extra padding for those with sensitive skin.
Tub trolley. A plastic seat rests on trolley tracks in this device and allows users to hold onto a wall grab bar to pull the seat in and out of the tub.
Inside tub lift. Bathers get in this portable chair, rotate into the tub, then lower the chair into the water. Water pressure raises bathers up when done.
Outside tub lift. Permanently mounted, this chair allows bathers to sit and gradually be lowered into a tub for a full soaking.
Hydro cushion lift. To enter the tub, a bather slides into the water-filled cushion, which drains and lowers to the tub floor. The bather fills the cushion to rise and exit the tub.
Floor-mounted bath chair lift. Non-motorized, this lift lets people sit on its seat, then swings 180 degrees in the air to clear the tub rim.
Hoyer lift. An assistant helps a person transfer into this lift's cloth sling, then uses a jack for lifting power. The sling rotates 180 degrees to entry and exit. The lift takes up a lot of space and requires a large bathroom.
Powered lift. The bather is placed in the harness connected by chain to a track on the ceiling. Remote controls enable the person to get in an out of tub in the lift.
For more information, contact the Center for Assistive Technology, University of Buffalo, 515 Kimball Tower, Buffalo, NY 14214-3079 or see full report .
This research was supported by the National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Research in the U.S. Department of Education. #241
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging. (2000). Safety in the bathroom: Benches and lifts.Buffalo, NY: The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging.
Keyword: Technology
Copyright. The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living. |
| Reviewer: |
Cindy Higgins |
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