Why the bathroom is the hardest room in the house, and what helps

For a lot of people, the bathroom is the first room that starts to feel hard. The floor is wet, the toilet is low, and a shower means standing still on a slippery surface while you wash, reach and turn. None of it is a problem on a good day. On a tired day, or after an illness or a fall, it can quickly become the part of the routine people dread.

The three moments that cause the most trouble

• Standing to shower. Holding your balance for several minutes on a wet floor is tiring, and turning to reach the taps adds to it.
• Sitting down on and getting up from the toilet. A standard toilet is low, and there is often nothing solid to hold.
• Stepping in and out. A shower hob or bath edge is an extra step at the worst possible moment.

Simple equipment that helps

Sit to shower. A shower chair lets you wash sitting down, so you are not balancing the whole time. The Enjoycare EKC5211 Swivel Shower Chair has a seat that swivels so you can turn without shuffling your feet, plus armrests and a backrest. If space is tight, the Enjoycare JOC011 Foldable Shower Chair folds away when it is not in use. For a wider seat, the Enjoycare EKC356 Shower Chair with Backrest & Armrests has a roomy 49 cm seat with backrest and armrests.

Something to hold at the toilet. The Enjoycare JOV008 Height & Width Adjustable Toilet Surround fits around the toilet and gives you two handrails to push up from and lower yourself with. It adjusts in height and width and has a built-in LED light for night-time trips.

Fix the room itself. When equipment is not enough, home modifications such as grab rails or a step-free shower make the change permanent. These are usually guided by an occupational therapist's assessment, and we can quote the equipment and the works together.

Where to start

If you are not sure what suits, talk to your OT or give us a call. You can also browse the full range of shower chairs, or contact us to ask about a home trial or a quote from your OT report.