Grooming

If standing is hard, sit on a chair in front of the washbasin
A raised toilet seat may make it easier to get on and off the toilet
Long handled combs, brushes and sponges can be helpful
Electric toothbrushes require less movement so may be easier to use
If you have tremor in your arm, try tucking your elbow into your side when brushing teeth, putting on make up, shaving etc, as this may reduce the shaking
A cordless razor can be simpler to use, and cuts are less likely
If getting in and out of the bath is difficult, a bath seat, grab handles or board fitted across the top of the tub will enable you to continue to bathe safely, or a hoist can also be fitted if required. Remember to use a non-slip mat
To avoid tripping, install a shower that doesn’t have any ledge to step over
Shower stools or chairs can be helpful, both fixed and on wheels
Pant clips can be used to keep underwear within reach when using the toilet (two clips are joined by a long piece of elastic, one end fastening to underwear and one to upper garments)
Toilet surround rails are helpful if stability is a problem and will help with getting up and down from the toilet
Do not use towel rails or soap dishes for support when getting up or down as they are not safe supports
Remove any breakable glass shower doors and replace them with shatterproof glass or plastic
Soap on a rope, or soap placed in an old stocking and tied to a grab bar by the basin will stop it slipping onto the floor when wet
Taps with levers rather than twisting handles are easier to use
Don’t lock the bathroom door – use a reversible sign saying ‘vacant/occupied’ instead
A night-light in the hallway can make it safer to get to the bathroom during the night. If you are prone to falls consider having a commode near your bed.

My mother, aged 75, loves to have a ‘proper’ bath but slipped recently in the bath and has lost confidence. I realise that we could have a shower fitted but is there any other solution to her problem?

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