Personal hygiene and grooming aids
There are many mobility sector grooming and hygiene aids, some of which have particular relevance to anyone whose body size or weight makes washing, toileting or grooming a challenge. Some of these aids are made specifically for the bariatric sector.
Being large bodied can present problems when reaching or stretching to access different parts of the body, e.g. when using a shower or toilet. This has resulted in the development of a number of personal grooming aids for various cleaning and washing situations and these aids can make the washing task easier and, in some cases, ensure that a carer is not required.
The range of aids and devices that are available is quite extensive and includes all of the items listed on our main grooming aids index page, however, here is a summary of some of the more popular and useful items. The underlined links will take you to a page dedicated to the type of aid described.
Bathroom, washing, toileting and hygiene aids
These are bariatric aids that have an application in, or are connected with, the bathroom and its utilities. Using bariatric aids within a bathroom can make washing and toileting easier, safer and more dignified.
Bariatric toilet seats are designed for larger people. They have a greater perimeter size, a larger width and surface area, and they can bear the weight of a much larger person. This makes them safer and more comfortable to use. Most bariatric toilet seats can be fitted to a standard toilet by replacing the original seat with the bariatric version.
Bed bottles (for urination) can be used by both men and women and they remove the immediate need to get to a bathroom. They can be of great assistance during the night, or if an individual’s size and weight confine them to a chair or fixed location. Modern bed bottles do not leek and most have a one way valve that prevents accidental spillage. There are different designs for men and women and they can be cleaned and used multiple times.
Toilet wiping aids are designed to help people retain independence and dignity in the bathroom. These devices can hold and release toilet paper and enable it to be directed, used and disposed of in a hygienic manner.
A bidet bowl can be fitted over a conventional toilet and used for hygienic cleaning. Bariatric bidet bowls are often larger and stronger than standard bowls.
Toilet gel cushions can be fitted over a toilet seat to provide extra padding and cushioning. They can make using the toilet more comfortable for the larger person. Some of these cushions do have a maximum weight limitation.
Commodes or portable toilets can be a solution for anyone who has trouble getting to the toilet. This may be because the bathroom is on a different floor level, or because of the time and physical effort that would be required to get to the bathroom. For this reason the commode is a common bariatric bathroom aid.
Long handled bathroom brushes can be used in the bath or shower to help clean difficult to reach parts of the body, e.g. the back, legs etc. The handles may be extendable and even bendable and some have a reach of considerably more than one yard (or metre).
Personal care wipes can be used for a number of different cleaning and personal hygiene applications in the bathroom and beyond. Because they are “single use” and disposable they are an ideal cleaning solution and they can be flushed down a toilet or disposed of hygienically.
Grooming aids
Grooming aids are daily use aids that make personal care a less challenging task. These aids make looking after one’s appearance and outward health easier and less challenging. They cover everything from hair brushes to tweezers.
A portable hair washing basin can be used to wash the hair of anyone who is bed bound or confined to a chair. These special basins can be inflatable or solid and they are ideal for anyone who is unable to go to a hair salon, or who cannot use a regular wash basin or shower.
A hands free hair drier, which is actually a hair drier stand with a fitting that holds a standard hair drier, enables the hair drier to be used hands-free. This means that holding the hair drier above shoulder level is not required and the hands are free to holds brushes etc.
Large and long handle tweezers can be easier to hold and offer a longer reach than their regular counterparts.
Long handled hair brush and comb can make personal grooming easier and less strenuous as they remove the need to reach and stretch. In some cases their long handles can be bent or angled for ease of use.
Long handled scissors , used for personal care (e.g. manicure and pedicure), can be operated without the need to reach or stretch. These scissors are available in different sizes and with different handle lengths.
Dressing aids
To find out about dressing aids please go to our main dressing aids index page. From there you will see a menu to the different categories of dressing aids that are available.
Information about hip protectors (that can be worn under clothing to reduce injury resulting from falling) can be found here - hip protectors.
Personal hygiene - accidents
Bed or mattress protectors can act as a preventative measure that can be used to avoid damage resulting from any kind of spill or liquid related accident in bed. This could be food or a drink spilling from a tray, or an accident resulting from incontinence.
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