Alex
A wet floor shower is definitely the best solution. The seats that are most often recommended by local authority Occupational Therapists are
"folding seats with arms rests and leg supports". These can fold up and out of the way, if someone who wishes to stand needs to use the shower.
It's also useful to be able to fold it out of the way incase a mobile shower chair on wheels is needed by other users of the shower. Wall mounted
folding seats are available from Nicholls & Clarke ltd and a variety of other shower suppliers.
With regards to walk in type baths, be careful with this. Most local authority Occupational Therapist will try to steer clear of some "walk in"
baths, as there is often problems with leaks. Also some baths with the side door will require the user to step over a small step, close the door
and sit down. They then have to wait for the bath to fill up. Once bathing is finished they have to wait for the bath to drain fully before
stepping out.
There are however a good range of specialist baths with integral seats which are either fixed to a post or you can get mobile seat bases that can be
wheeled up to the bath. The mobile seat is then attached to the post. Baths can cover a range of disabilities and can be used by people who are
walking and by wheelchair users. The controls are able to take the person up and down and also rotate the bath seat over into the bath, allowing
the bath to be used independently or with assistance. Suppliers for these products are "Ambulift" by Argo 08702 430430 (as mentioned by Richard),
or "Oxford electric mermaid bath hoist", supplied by Care & Mobility Ltd (01268 771191).
Hope this is clear, let me know if you need any further information.
Karen Tuff,
Occupational Therapist Greenwich Social Services
Richard Hirst wrote:
> Alex,
>
> I haven't installed a combined unit but the following may be of
> assistance.
>
> From past experience the best solution for a shower is to convert the
> whole room in to a "wet" room with the floor dished to an outlet. No
> tray or separate enclosure for the shower. This gives greater
> flexibility and space for moving around.
>
> I have also installed a mid height folding screen so that should the
> resident require assistance the assistant does not get too wet. Always
> include a fixed stool that is fixed to the wall but also has legs.
>
> With regard to a bath I seem to remember that a company (I think) called
> Arjo do special baths that move or have doors to allow easy access.
>
> I have installed "normal" baths where the resident is transported using
> a hoist and sling, but I assume form you message that your resident has
> some independent movement and may not require this.
>
> If you need any further clarification please do not hesitate to contact
> me.
>
> Regards
>
> Richard
>
> Richard Hirst
> College Estates Officer
> York St John College
> Lord Mayor's Walk
> York
> YO31 7EX
>
> telephone: 01904 716954
> Fax: 01904 716873
>
> www.yorksj.ac.uk
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of Alex Larg
> Sent: 21 July 2004 10:35
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Baths and showers
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> We have two students with CP and it is likely they are going to use
> the same facilities. One likes to use a bath and the other needs to use
> a shower because he cannot climb into a bath. Someone has
> suggested installing a walk-in type bath with a shower above so that
> both have their preference / need accommodated.
>
> Has anyone else provided this type of set up and if so does it work
> well? Are there any problems and can you recommend a particular
> type of walk in bath that is good?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Alex.
>
> Alex Larg
> University Disability Co-ordinator
> University of Oxford
> Tel: 01865 280562
> Fax: 01865 280300
> Email : [log in to unmask]
> (Tues - Thur)
>
> ----------End of Message----------
>
> Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the
> distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme
> visit:
>
> http://www.inclusive-design.it
>
> Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
>
> ----------End of Message----------
>
> Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
>
> http://www.inclusive-design.it
>
> Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
----------End of Message----------
Run by SURFACE for more information on research, consultancy and the distance taught MSc. in Accessibility and Inclusive Design programme visit:
http://www.inclusive-design.it
Archives for the Accessibuilt discussion list are located at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/accessibuilt.html
|