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Easy Street Co.
http://www.easystreetco.com
Assistive devices for bathing, comfort, dressing, health,
recreation, and more
Express Medical Supply,
Inc., P.O. Box 1164, Fenton, MO, 63026; (800) 633-2139;
fax (800) 633-9188; web site: www.exmed.net.
Order between 8:30 am-5 pm CST from the free catalog.
Flaghouse Catalogs
www.flaghouse.com
Rehabilitation tools, aids to daily living, therapeutic
aids, and other items.
Gold Violin
http://www.goldviolin.com
Large selection of household convenience gadgets to
make life easier
Life With Ease
http://www.lifewithease.com
Products for every room in the house and outdoors: bedding,
dressing, lighting, seating, ergonomic
office furniture, and gardening
Maxi-Aids, (800) 522-6294
or (516) 572-0689; TTY (516) 752-0738; fax (516) 752-0689;
email: sales@maxiaids.com;
Web site: http://www.maxiaids.com.
Sammons
Preston Rolyan
http://www.sammonspreston.com
Devices for eating, drinking, cooking, and all types
of rehabilitation and independent living aids. Call
for the free catalog: 1(800) 323-5547.
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Bathing
Finding New Ways to Stay Clean and Comfortable
Dear Friends:
Bathing can be so difficult with limited mobility that one
can work up a sweat just getting into the tub! But staying
clean always makes people more comfortable, though it may
require planning, patience, and sometimes assistance. Most
of us feel pretty cranky if we have to wait for help to arrive,
and who doesn't treasure a little privacy?
That's why we've gathered together ideas and devices to help
you have more independence. Most items are found in catalogs
that carry aids for independent living or home healthcare
products. Many companies (see Resources)
have searchable Web sites and will send you their free catalog.
- Mild soaps—If skin
is tender from pressure sores or another reason, it's best
to use a diluted liquid soap-use at least one part water
to one part liquid soap. Pharmacies and sundry stores all
carry soaps for severely sensitive skin. If soap feels too
harsh, plenty of warm water will still get you clean. But
check with your pharmacy or a home healthcare center for
the milder liquid soaps.
- A soaped up cloth mitt or sponge is easier to
hold than a washcloth and bar of soap if you have limited
grasping ability. Again, liquid soap in a pump bottle will
make things easier. Mitts and cleansing sponges are sold
in cosmetics departments, pharmacies, healthcare centers
and health food stores.
- Shower chairs and transfer benches—I
know you've heard of these. If you use one, be sure to place
a rubber bathmat underneath it to prevent slipping. If you
lay in a tub to bathe, a rubber mat will still help keep
you safe.
- Inflated pillows or bumpers
will prop you upright for more independence, even with supervision.
- Bathe in bed—For
those of us whose disability keeps us close to bed, getting
clean and refreshed is very renewing. Sammons Preston Roylan
(see Resources) sells an inflatable
tub with a wet-dry vacuum canister and a 25-foot hose. Bathers
can opt for either continuous flow of water or a long soak.
An assistant can easily set it up, then drain and deflate
it. A garden hose can be used to extend its reach and easy
use facilitates frequent bathing.
Grooming aids you might not have heard
about:
- Hair washers have long
handles for reaching and grasping during shampooing.
- A hands-free blow dryer holder
serves as an extra set of hands. They are sold as aids to
daily living. Or, someone handy could rig a microphone or
music stand for this purpose. In cold weather a blow dryer
holder helps get your hair dry quicker.
- Razor holders and shaving cream
dispensers prevent slipping and cutting.
- Long-reach toenail scissors
aid bathers who can't lean forward or bend to reach their
toes.
Now, treat yourself to a fragrant bubble bath!
Best wishes,
Candace Bennett
Infinitec Managing Editor
candace.bennett@sbcglobal.net
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