10 Top Tips for Showering and Bathing With Arthritis 

1. Non-slip Flooring 

Despite usually being the smallest room in the home, the bathroom is where most slips, falls and injuries occur. And if your mobility is restricted because of arthritis, the chances of accidents happening are much greater. When balance and dexterity are compromised, aids for getting in and out of a bath may not prevent nasty falls and injuries if the floor is slippery. 

Non-slip bathroom flooring is essential to enable independent showering and bathing when living with arthritis. Replacing a bathroom floor is worthwhile, but if you are considering having a new mobility bathroom or wet room installed with built-in non-slip flooring, you could use non-slip bathmats until this is done.

If you use a traditional bathtub or a shower stall, you can also use a non-slip grippy bath mat that covers the entire surface to give you a non-slip surface when standing or stepping into and out of the bath or shower.

2. Shower Seat

A shower seat is one of the key arthritis aids you can add to your bathroom to reduce the risk of slipping or falling while showering. Being able to sit down when showering can totally change how comfortable and enjoyable the experience is when you suffer from arthritis pain and lack of mobility. Taking the pressure off achy knees and hips, as well as keeping you stable, means you can relax whilst washing your hair and body.

There is a wide range of shower seat options available, such as fold-up seats that are permanently attached to the wall, portable stools or chairs with wheels that can be easily moved around when necessary. Learn more about our range of walk-in showers for the elderly and disabled. 

3. Handheld Adjustable Shower Heads

If you do opt for a shower seat (or even if not), a handheld adjustable shower head is an extremely beneficial aid for arthritic hands. You can hold it while sitting in a shower chair instead of trying to position yourself under a fixed shower head, and you also have much less control over where the water is going. 

It’s also a good idea to move the shower head holder lower down on the wall so it can be reached while seated. This way, you can keep the shower head while seated if you need to apply shower gel or if your arthritis is making your arms ache. 

4. Use Grab Bars

Getting in and out of the bathtub or shower can be made easier if you have arthritis by having bathing adaptive equipment such as grab bars installed. Professionally installed fixed grab bars are much safer and more stable than temporary “suction grab bars,” which just stick to the wall. 

If required, grab bars can also be placed next to the toilet for extra support getting on and off. This is recommended for those who sometimes struggle to get up off the toilet due to arthritis. 

Age Care Bathrooms include safety grab bars with all of our mobility bathroom installations. We can recommend where it is best to place them for maximum safety and comfort. As standard, a walk-in shower or bath will include the following:

• Assistance poles
• Grab rails
• Safety glass
• Easy-to-use taps
• Shower seats
• Accessibility
• Anti-slip flooring
• Ventilation
• Easy-to-clean walls.

5. Use Pump Bottles or Wall Dispensers

Twisting bottle tops and squeezing out soap or shower gel requires grip and dexterity (especially when they are slippery,) which can be difficult and even painful when you have arthritis. You can make life so much easier by using shower gels and soaps with pump bottles. 

Alternatively, you can fix soap dispensers onto the wall, which you can fill with your favourite shampoo, soap and shower gels. 

6. Use Taps with Levers

Twist taps and awkward round knobs can be difficult to grip if you have arthritis; on top of that, it can be hard to turn on and off and change the temperature. Changing to taps with levers, which are much easier to use, is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to make life easier for people with arthritis.

We have access to a wide range of easy-to-use bathroom taps with levers that can be installed in your bathroom. Please get in touch with our friendly UK team if you would like to talk to us about our bathroom adaptive equipment and aids for arthritis of the hands. 

7. Consider a Raised Toilet Seat 

People with severe arthritis can have a challenging time getting up from a toilet seat. Raised toilet seats can help to alleviate the problem and reduce the risk of injury. The additional height provided by a raised toilet means you do not have to bend your knees as much, making it less of a strain to sit. Combined with bathroom adaptive equipment such as grab bars, a raised toilet seat can provide someone with limited mobility the ability to be safe and independent when using the toilet.

8. Walk-In Baths

A walk-in bath is a bathtub with a watertight door that opens and closes, allowing for easy access in and out. The base of the tub is usually slip-resistant to ensure that those with unsteady balance feel safe while entering and exiting. Seats can be added to a walk-in bath to make it the perfect luxury bathing solution for those with limited mobility. 

If you enjoy a long, warm, relaxing bath but getting in and out has become too difficult due to arthritis, bath aids for getting in and out of the bath may not be sufficient. If you find you need assistance and want to be able to independently enjoy bathing with arthritis, a walk-in bath could be the solution. Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat if you would like to discuss having a walk-in bath installed in your home. 

9. Walk-In Showers 

If you prefer to shower or want to have the option to have a quick shower in the morning, but your current shower unit is not practical or safe, a walk-in shower or level access shower offers a solution for showering independently and safely. 

Both are suitable for people with arthritis and limited mobility, with a level-access shower being the perfect option for wheelchair users. At Age Care Bathrooms, we can provide a bespoke showering solution, taking into consideration all aspects of bathroom safety for those with arthritis and limited mobility. If you would like to learn more about the available options, please get in touch with our friendly team today.

10. Wet Rooms

Wet rooms are an excellent option for wheelchair users or anyone who wants an easy-to-clean bathroom. There are many different styles of mobility wet rooms, and they can be installed with a walk-in bath, built-in units and many other features, depending on your needs. We are UK experts at fitting mobility wet rooms and can design and install a wet room to suit your needs, even in small bathrooms. You can also convert another room into a wet room if you want to have a larger bathroom to incorporate a walk-in bath.

To set up a home survey and free quote, contact the Age Care Bathrooms UK team at 0800 999 8994 today or fill out our online form. We’ll discuss how to redesign your bathroom so you can live independently. 

More Information about Our Products and Services

• Easy Access Showers
• Mobility Wet Rooms
• Mobility Bathrooms.