Bath cushions and pads
Bath cushions come in all manner of shapes and sizes that range from conventional looking cushions that support the head or back, to kneeling cushions that can be used by someone wishing to bend over the bath tub, e.g. in order to wash their hair.
The object of bath cushions is to provide pressure relief to the person resting upon them. This can allow someone who may otherwise find taking a bath uncomfortable, or even impossible, to use a bath tub. They can also be used to maintain a sitting or lying posture within the bath tub for maximum comfort and relaxation.
Most bath cushions can be selected based upon their pressure relief rating. This typically ranges from high to low and allows a degree of personalisation when it comes to cushion selection, e.g. similar to buying a firm or a soft bed.
The critical feature of all bath-cushions is that they are waterproof and manufactured from materials that, as well as offering comfort, do not degrade or have the capacity to allow bacteria or germs to survive or grow. Naturally, all cushions of this type are waterproof and easily cleaned.
Bath cushion applications
The most common bath cushion application is to support the back or the head whilst lying in a bath. This helps posture and avoids pressure points.
Full length bath cushions (or blankets) can be used to cover the entire length of a bath tub, thereby providing comfort and support to the complete body during bathing. This kind of cushion will make a bath a relaxing place for someone with an ailment like arthritis or high levels of sensitivity. Again, the main objective is to relieve pressure points.
Kneeling cushions can be useful for anyone who likes to use a detachable shower nozzle to wash their hair or upper body whilst kneeling over the bath. This is a stable and secure posture for most people to adopt and a "kneel-cushion" makes the activity more comfortable.
Seat and backrest cushions are sectional cushions that have an area to sit on and a second area (for the back) to lean on. They relieve pressure from the parts of the body that are most sensitive when in a lying down or in a seated posture.
Cushion pads are a cross between a spongy foam matting and a cushion and they come in various sizes. They can be laid down within a bath, or they can straddle over a bath side and onto the floor if someone wishes to kneel and lean over the bath whilst washing.
Bathroom matting
Information about padded matting for use in the bathroom can be found here - Padded bath mats.
Materials
Bath cushions are available in a number of different materials that range from neoprene foams through to hi-tec gels and gel pads that are good at shaping to the profile of the body.
- The gels, it is claimed, can provide a massaging sensation that is produced by movements, or shifts in body position. Many people find them very comfortable and an aid to relaxation.
- Inflatable cushions are another option. These cushions can be inflated to produce different levels of resistance and they can easily be deflated and stored when not in use.
- Pillows filled with polystyrene beads are another alternative when it comes to supports that shape to the profile of the body. Some of these pillows use air valves that make the pillow wrap around the person resting on it when the air is removed. This kind of pillow reverts back to its standard shape once air is allowed back into it. These pillows can easily be submerged when the air valve has extracted the air.
- Suction pads or suckers are common on many bathroom pillows and they allow a pressure pillow to be temporarily fixed in a specific position on a bath tub wall.
In summary, waterproof pillows can be a major asset to bathing for anyone who finds the hard and unforgiving surfaces of a bath tub uncomfortable. Different pillows fulfil different needs and remove pressure points from different parts of the body. Pillows can often be a cheap alternative when it comes to extending the usability of standard bathroom furniture for someone with mobility limitations.
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