Baths and showers

In general showering is easier than getting in and out of a bath.

• Always use a non slip mat in the bath or shower.
• Avoid using bath oils. They make your bath very slippery and make getting in and out of the bath much more difficult.
• Grab rails, bath seats and bath boards which can all help if the person is having difficulty using the bath or shower. Community nurses or Occupational Therapists can assess for this equipment.
• Some people feel more breathless if they have a shower spray on their face. To avoid this lower the shower head if it is on an adjustable rail or use a hand held shower spray.
• If the person is tired after using the bath or shower, try using a large towelling bath robe to wrap around to get dry and keep warm at the same time. Move them  to sit and rest in another warm room. If they use breathing control techniques encourage this and wait until they are dry.
• If they have difficulty washing and drying their hair, try using a travel size hairdryer which is much lighter. A dry shampoo spray can be useful in between hair washes if this is a difficult task but be aware some people may not be able to tolerate an aerosol spray near their face.
• They may find it easier to bathe/shower later in the day or in the evening if this is a time when they have more energy.