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Although most people prefer to take a shower every day instead of taking a bath, many elderly people still regularly use the bathtub for washing. In addition, soaking in the bathtub is a good way to relax. However, sadly, with age, bathing becomes challenging.

This article describes the most popular types of assistive devices that can help people with reduced mobility continue to bathe safely, from lower-priced options (such as bath boards and seats) to more advanced bathtub lifts and lifts for people with reduced mobility .

The bathtub panel fits the entire width of the bathtub, from edge to edge. They can help you get in and out, and provide you with a sturdy seat so you can sit down while taking a shower. They are designed for people with limited power-but when you lift one leg over the edge of the bathtub to get on and off the car, you still need to be quite flexible to use one leg.

The disadvantage is that you will not be completely immersed in the water. The bathtub plate is more suitable for using the shower rope connected to the bathtub faucet during the shower, or combined with the bathtub seat. The bathtub plate forms a stable base, and you can lower yourself onto the seat.

Bath boards come in many sizes and materials. Many are made of reinforced plastics, but if you choose one of them, be sure to check the maximum load capacity. Also check whether the width of the board is enough for you to sit comfortably on it. For more comfort, you may need to choose padded PVC panels. A contoured seat is usually more comfortable.

The bath stool is essentially a large board, which exceeds the width of the bathtub. One pair of legs sits in the bathtub and the other pair sits on the bathroom floor. Because they sit on the bathtub instead of on the bathtub, they are usually taller than the plank.

The price of the bath board ranges from approximately £20 for the basic plastic model to approximately £70 for the more elegantly designed coated steel sheet.

The working principle of the bathtub seat is a bit like a bathtub board, usually used with the bathtub, but the seat can make you more immersed in the water. They are ideal for people with limited mobility around the knee joint and limited arm strength.

Some look like ordinary chairs with four legs and a backrest, while others are more like low stools tucked into a bathtub. Some are similar to bath boards-sitting or hanging on the edge of a bathtub. Tub seats with legs are usually fixed with rubber suction pads, but you can also use them in a separate shower.

Provide padded and chiseled seats for those seeking comfort. They are usually perforated or slatted to help drain and prevent them from becoming slippery. As with the bath board, it is important to check the load-bearing capacity of the seat before buying, and always use it with anti-slip mats.

If you tend to get tired from staying upright, a seat with a backrest is better. If you have limited mobility, you may need to purchase a rotating seat so that you can get in and out of the bathtub more easily. 

You can find selected reviews and recommendations on bath boards, seats and other toiletries from the Institute of Consumers with Disabilities (RIDC) and Living Made Easy.

Read more tips on making bathrooms accessible: Seven ways to make bathrooms suitable for seniors

Most mobile stores and Disabled Living Centers (DLC) have bathing equipment that you can try before buying, and many stores offer services to bring them to your home for you to test. You can also rent toiletries from the mobile center. You can find a catalog of local DLC on the Focus on Disability website. 

If your mobility and strength are very limited, OT may suggest that you use a bathtub lift to lift your body from below, or use a bathtub lift to lift you from above. These are much more expensive than boards and seats, but may be more affordable than modified bathrooms.

The bathtub lift and lift can be disassembled or fixed to your bathtub. If the bathroom is used by different people, a bathtub lift may be the best choice.

Some lifts and cranes may be overpriced, including second-hand equipment. Try to buy from a supplier who is a member of the British Healthcare Trade Association (BHTA). If you need other advice, the toll-free helpline of the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) 0300 999 0004 provides information on choosing equipment for daily life.

These are reinforced plastic seats fixed inside the bathtub with rubber suction cups. They use battery-powered, waterproof mobile phones for operation. You sit on a seat at the edge of the bathtub, use the earpiece to lower the seat into the bathtub, and then raise it when you are ready to get out of the car.

This type of lift usually has a supporting backrest, some of which are tilted back, allowing you to recline in the bathtub. To use this type of bathtub lift, you need to be agile enough to be able to move your legs to one side to get in and out of the bathtub.

Although these lifts can be removed from the bathtub, some models are easier to remove than others. Rechargeable batteries need to be charged regularly. 

These are inflatable plastic seats in the bathtub, and you can inflate them with an electric pump. You put yourself on top of the seat flush with the edge of the bathtub, and then it deflates and immerses you in the water. When you are ready to get out of the car, you can use an electric pump to reinflate the seat, bringing you back to rim height.

They are the easiest bathtub lifts to take out of the bathtub.

The manual bathtub lift works similarly to the electric detachable lift, lowering you into the bathtub and then lifting you again when you are ready to leave. The difference is that their movement is controlled by the weight of a person and the buoyancy of water, using a hydraulic mechanism. 

Your weight in the chair will slowly lower the lift. Then, when you are ready to leave the bathtub, you can sit upright and push down on the edge of the bathtub to release the hydraulic piston, which is set to a personalized weight. This, combined with the buoyancy of the water, makes you stand up again.

For this type of weightlifting, you need to be flexible enough to raise your arms as high as your shoulders, and require more arm strength and sitting balance than powerlifting.

Fixed bathtub lifts are sometimes called belt lifts because they work with large fabric belts on rollers. The strap is installed on the wall next to the bathtub through a wall-mounted device. Then, the other end of the strap is inserted into the floor stand next to the bathtub, so the strap spans the width of the bathtub.

You sit on a tight strap, press a button, and when the strap stretches slowly, it will put you in the bathtub. To raise the elevator, you can press another button, which will tighten the strap to lift you. 

The advantage of belt lifts is that they can lower you to the bottom of the bathtub so you can lie down and soak properly. However, a major disadvantage is that there is no back support, so you need to maintain a good sitting balance.

They are also the most expensive option for bathtub lifts.

The bathtub lift lifts your body from above, not from below.

Although they are more expensive than bathtub lifts, the advantage is that they can lift you high enough so you don't have to lift your legs to the edge of the bathtub. This makes them more suitable for people with limited mobility of the hip and knee joints.

They are connected to a pole which is inserted into the bottom plate fixed next to the bathtub. You sit on a rotatable seat or sling, it will rise and over the edge of the bathtub, and then put you down.

Electric floor-standing bathtub lifts use rechargeable batteries or city electricity, and you can control them with a remote control. The manual hoist is worked by another person wrapping the handle, so it is often used by someone with a caregiver.

A mobile version of this type of bathroom lift is also available, which is useful if you want to use the lift in multiple rooms. The base of the lifter is wedged under the bathtub to hold it firmly in place.   

These jobs use ceiling rails, which has the advantage of taking up less bathroom space. One important point to consider is that this type of crane requires a very strong ceiling. These lifts work in the same way as floor lifts, lifting you above the edge of the bathtub, although slings are usually used instead of plastic seats. 

Which one do you find in your local area? Trustworthy traders-look for reputable traders who have passed our rigorous evaluation conducted by trading standards professionals.