Shower cradles are four-wheeled devices with a mesh fabric stretched over a metal frame. They have a small range of positions to choose from, enabling you to be showered in a semi-reclined position with knees and hips flexed. This helps to inhibit extensor spasm and provides a more stable position, but it will also reduce the overall length of the cradle so that it can be used in some shower cubicles. Using a cradle requires a carer to administer the shower. It also requires quite significant space to position the cradle. Depending on your needs and preferences, it may be worth considering models which have pre-set controls or one control which regulates the rate of flow and temperature. The following types are available: Please note: When you install a shower stool, seat or chair into a shower with a shower tray, or into a bath, you must ensure that the shower tray/bath is If you require assistance to shower there is more space, but your carer may get rather wet if there is no protection against the water. Waist height, wall-fixed or portable shower screens may be useful in this situation. If used, a slip-resistant step provides a safer surface to stand on and a grab rail mounted on the wall may provide a secure handhold to grip whilst using the step.

This type of shower uses pre-heated water from your home’s boiler or hot water tank, but has thermostatic controls which automatically compensate for any changes in water pressure. This ensures that if someone turns on the cold water tap elsewhere in the house, the person in the shower will not get scalded. To transfer into the bath, you reverse towards the shower board and sit down on it before swinging your legs over the edge to place them on the floor of the bath. It is strongly advised to have wall fitted grab rails fitted to support yourself whilst completing the transfer. Whilst showering you would usually remain seated on the shower board, but some people prefer to stand up and hold on to grab rails for support. Shower boards are usually made from plastic, but can in some circumstances be made from coated metal or wood. They often consist of six or seven slats with gaps for the water to run through, but some have a perforated top surface. Some incorporate grab handles or indentations designed for you to hold on to. If you have difficulty lifting your legs over the bath rim when attempting seated bath transfers on a shower board or swivel chair, a leg lifter may help. A ‘point of use’ or ‘outlet’ thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) is a valve that blends hot water with cold water to ensure constant, safe shower and bath outlet temperatures, preventing scalding. They may be called thermostat taps.Before installing a rail, you must ensure that the wall you fix it too is strong enough to support the rail and the weight placed on it You may be provided with equipment and services as a preventative measure, before a full needs assessment is done. You would not pay for this. If, on assessment, your needs are high enough to qualify for further help from the council, they will then look at your income and savings to see whether you will need to pay towards any future services you receive. These services might include further disability equipment or adaptations to your home, help from a carer, telecare, the delivery of meals or residential care. They have an element (like an electric kettle) connected to the electricity supply which heats the water as it flows through the unit. The water temperature from an electric shower may fluctuate if the water flow to the shower is reduced, perhaps when someone else runs a tap. Temperature stabilised electric showers help to reduce the likelihood of these fluctuations, but if you require a guaranteed constant temperature you should consider a thermostatic electric shower.

If you are beginning to struggle or feel unsafe when you get in/out of a bath or shower, it is time to consider installing some equipment to help you. Shower trolleys are effectively height adjustable platforms on a wheeled frame where you lie on a padded surface whilst being showered by one or two carers. When it comes to a bespoke walk in shower installation, the price will vary depending on the scale of the installation process. How much does a disabled wet room cost?For more information about hoists, see our factsheet on selecting a hoist and slings for lifting a person. The user will need to be hoisted onto the stretcher/bench by the carer. Wall mounted benches are either fixed height or height adjustable.

Shower trolleys have side supports and there is often a drain outlet in the foot-end to allow the water to run out, often through a hose to control the surrounding environment. They are designed for people with very high care needs and do require significant space in the shower area. Some level access bases are designed to fit in the space where a bath stood, so that the drainage from the bath is already in place. Others require under floor drainage to be installed. Shower boards may sometimes also be called bath boards but we consider shower boards to have greater width/depth than bath boards, providing a greater area of support. Bath boards are narrower, to provide more room if you wish to transfer down onto a bathseat.chairs with removable or foldaway armrests are usually easier to transfer on to than those with fixed armrests Often entering a shower cubicle will require you to take a step upwards into it. Depending on your strength and balance it can be advisable to have a grab rail fitted to the wall to steady yourself when entering or using the shower. To eliminate this need a level access shower may be chosen which has the base almost flush with the floor. If you need to use a shower stool or chair, you must ensure that you still have adequate space to get into the cubicle and position yourself suitably. If you require the assistance of a carer, consider the space they may need to move, position and care for you. DFGs operate across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Conditions for DFGs will vary according to the country in which you live. For details of schemes in Scotland see Disability Information Scotland.