Accessible Shower Guide: Types of Showers and How They Can Help

Related Reading: The Different Types Of Shower Enclosures

5. Thermostatic mixer showers

Thermostatic mixer showers preheat water from your boiler or hot water tank, and they automatically compensate if the pressure changes. This ensures you don’t get scalded if you’re in the shower and someone else in the house turns the cold water on. Another option is to install an electric shower, which is great for reducing fluctuation in water pressure while keeping your shower at the exact temperature you choose.

If you are looking for a shower for the visually impaired, we would recommend a shower unit that is RNIB-approved. These showers are generally designed to make the shower easier to navigate if you have sight loss, with features such as raised markings on the buttons and audible warnings to indicate when the shower is on or off.

Related Reading: What Are Digital Showers?

Enhancing Shower Safety for Mobility Challenges: Quick Search

• Mobility Aids for Accessible Showers
• Seating for Accessible Showers
• Showering and Seating Safety Tips  
• Choosing the Perfect Shower Temperature

Mobility Aids for Accessible Showers

If getting around your shower is becoming difficult, it’s time to make a change. To improve your shower and bathing experience, we provide a range of mobility aids and features. Below are some of the most popular mobility aids that when used with accessible showers can provide extra comfort and help keep you or someone you care for safe when showering.

• Shower head holders: Adjustable shower head holders allow the shower head to be positioned at a height that suits the user.
• Shower screens and enclosures: For additional privacy, a shower screen or enclosure can be portable or fixed. They come in various configurations and are ideal for wet rooms and walk-in showers. 
• Long-handled bathing aids: There is a wide selection of long-handled bathing aids with handles of different lengths, such as sponges and bath brushes. For a person with limited mobility, they can make washing easier and reduce the need to stretch or twist, which may cause discomfort and increase the risk of a fall. 
• Leg lifters: Moving your legs when seated on a chair or swivel chair over the bath’s rim can be easier with leg lifters. You use a reinforced strap with a loop at one end and then physically lift your leg into the bath.
• Anti-slip mats and flooring: In every bathroom, anti-slip mats or anti-slip flooring can help prevent slips and falls. We have many different anti-slip flooring options and supply a range of anti-slip mats.
• Grab bars: Provide extra support around the bathroom. These are often placed on walls around the shower or bath area and come in two types:
• • Horizontal rails: Great for both walk-in showers and baths. They can help you push up from a sitting position and also provide additional support when sitting down.

• • Vertical rails: They can be placed around the bathroom for extra support. Having them next to a shower seat can be very helpful and will stop you from slipping.
• Shower boards: Designed to fit over the top of your bath and act as a seat so you can sit down and shower in your bath. Shower boards are suitable for most styles of baths without fixed shower screens.
• Swivel bath seats: If you require extra support, swivel bath seats fit over the bath and swivel inwards. They are great for back support and also act as an armrest. These seats are set in a fixed position and do not lower into the bath.

Related Reading: Elderly Bathing and Hygiene Guide

At Age Care Bathrooms, our amazing team can help you pick additional mobility aids, features, and fittings that suit your needs. This may be adding a shower seat, installing anti-slip flooring in the rest of your bathroom, or swapping your toilet for a low-level disabled toilet.

Please get in touch with our caring team of mobility bathroom experts to arrange a free home survey and no obligation quote. 

Seating for Accessible Showers

Sitting down in walk-in showers can change showering from a difficult experience to an enjoyable one in comfort and independence. Various seating options are available in showers for disabled users, and the best shower seat will depend on your individual needs. 

Below are five main shower seating options to consider:

1. Shower stools: Available in various sizes and styles, including corner shower stools. Folding shower stools are also available, which take up less space if you want to put them away when not in use.

2. Wall-mounted shower seats: These are classified into two types: static and hinged. Certain models will have back support and armrests, but you should check with the manufacturer to see if there are any weight restrictions.

3. Shower chairs: You can choose from static or mobile shower chairs in all shapes and sizes. All shower seats will come with rubber cups on the legs to prevent any slipping and may be more suitable for a person who can’t use a wall-mounted shower seat due to weight restrictions. For extra comfort, most shower chairs come with armrests and padded seating. 

4. Shower chairs on wheels: They are perfect if you want to move the chair around and have the security of knowing it will not move once you have put it where you want to sit in the shower. These tend to have metal frames and plastic seats and are generally smaller than a standard shower chair. 

5. Self-propelled shower chairs: Available in many styles and designs, these are typically multi-functional. A popular choice is a self-propelled commode chair, which can be folded when not in use. For independence and dignity, they are designed so the user can propel themselves into the shower. Self-propelled shower chairs can also be pushed by someone else and will travel across carpet, tiles, and lino.

You should always check to see if your shower tray or bath is capable of having a seat on it with the added weight of a person. Why not book a free home survey and no-obligation quote, and we can help you find the shower and seating most suited to your needs and preferences.

Showering and Seating Safety Tips  

Improving shower safety for those with mobility issues involves several key considerations. Here are some things that can help make showering safer for people who are elderly or have disabilities.

• Ensure that the shower seat is stable and does not wobble; a fixed folding shower seat is an excellent option if other people in the household prefer to stand in the shower.
• Keep showering products, such as soap, razors, and shampoo, in a holder on the wall close to the shower controls for easy access. 
• Take your time getting on and off the shower seat, and use anti-slip mats to prevent falls.
• Distribute weight evenly and avoid sitting on the edge of the shower seat or chair.

Choosing the Perfect Shower Temperature

According to the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), shower temperature should not exceed 41°C. When the temperature is higher than this, it may cause a drop in blood pressure, making the user feel dizzy and lightheaded. The easiest way to judge if the temperature is too high is by looking at the colour of the skin. When the skin gets red or flushed, the temperature probably needs to be reduced. We highly recommend installing a thermostatic temperature gauge to guarantee the shower is always at the optimum temperature.

You won’t have to sacrifice design for functionality when you choose Age Care Bathrooms. Our team of bathroom specialists is here to assist you in selecting the best accessible shower or mobility bathroom for your needs and budget. With a bespoke walk-in shower for elderly, disabled and wheelchair users, showering can be enjoyed with comfort, increased independence and dignity. 

If you’re looking to upgrade your bathroom with a disabled shower, get in touch with Age Care Bathrooms to start the process. We can install your new mobility shower in as little as three days.