If you are struggling with caring for yourself, which includes accessing a toilet and managing your personal hygiene, consider asking for a health and social care needs assessment. Since the Care Act 2014 came into power in April 2015, anyone who appears to need care and support can request an assessment from their local council, irrespective of their income or savings. The Act also places a statutory duty on local authorities and the NHS to support individuals to take steps to prevent their ill health or care requirements from getting worse. These strategies for prevention can include the early provision of equipment and services to help prevent, delay or reduce the development of needs for care and support. Staircases usually have a handrail on one side, although this may not extend to the full length of the staircase. Most DIY stores sell handrails which can be used to extend the existing handrail all the way up the staircase if it is required. Adding a handrail to the other side of the staircase will provide more support where needed. Long lengths of rail are available and may also be installed along corridors. Reach and grip may be improved by using a handling belt. A handling belt is worn by the person being transferred and is basically a belt with handholds. It allows the carer to have a firm grip, without holding your clothing or body. The carer can guide and support your movement. It is not intended for the carer to take your body weight through the belt. A wide range of finished hand rails are available from DIY chains for you to choose from. A plain 50mm mop head cross section softwood rail may be used. As the name implies, permanent toilet frames are designed to be permanently fixed to the bathroom floor. These frames can be a great option if you live alone, or use a separate bathroom to the other people you live with. Because they’re attached to the floor, permanent frames can also be a better option if you need to minimise your fall risk. Temporary toilet frames

But don’t forget –everyone’s needs are different. If you’re still unsure which solution is best for you, speak to a healthcare professional to get individual advice. What is a toilet frame? For more information on the Types of Evidence, please visit /www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/scenario.php?csid=276 Some urinals are designed specifically for use when travelling and can be sealed, thrown away or contain crystals that absorb urine forming a gel. Particular care should be taken when attaching rails to domestic sandwich partitions, e.g. plasterboard with a hardboard facing.

Disability toilet aids

Look for a sales company that belongs to a trade association, such as the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). BHTA members have signed up to a code of practice governing standards of customer service. Further details are given in the In many areas a range of the simple aids to daily living may be available on prescription, issued by the assessor. If you receive a prescription for equipment you can take it to a local accredited retailer, which may be a local pharmacy, who will provide you with the item. You can pay extra for an alternative item, so long as it does what the specific item prescribed would do. Your choice may offer extra features, or perhaps you prefer its appearance. There is usually a list of accredited fitters available for items like grab rails.

If you suffer from weakness or stiff joints, or who have problems with your balance, a double-sided toilet support rail is often the best solution. Designed to support you on both sides of the toilet, these rails give you the extra stability you need to manoeuvre yourself up and down. However, it’s worth considering whether a two-sided rail will obstruct transfers from and to a wheelchair. A healthcare professional will be able to advise on the best solution for your space. Wall-mounted toilet support rails This style of toilet is commonly seen in boats and caravans. They have a reservoir of water to flush the toilet, and a lower chamber containing neutralising chemicals into which the waste is directed when flushed. They may be too low to sit down on if used on their own, but they can be supplied with a frame that includes a platform on which to place the toilet and support rails either side. Their advantage over chemical commodes is that the waste is shut off within the lower compartment. The waste compartment needs to be emptied at regular intervals. As a general guide there are two options for wall mounted rails by the toilet. If you have the same strength on both sides of your body it may be a good idea to have supports fixed on both sides of the toilet so that you can use both arms.

Conclusion

Mandelstam M (2016) Legal framework for equipment provision guidelines. London: London Borough Occupational Therapy Management Group. (Type 2) The only downside to this model is that the instruction manual isn’t that helpful since it’s in Chinese.

If a rail is used to pull up with, it is generally fitted in line with the front of the toilet pan, at approximately waist height and at an angle running forwards and upwards away from you. Sometimes, a horizontal rail followed by a vertical rail (or a right-angled rail) might be preferred to provide two handhold levels. A turner or patient turner, often called an Etac turner after one manufacturer, enables assisted standing transfers. It would only be useful if you are able to pull yourself up to standing and then maintain your own weight. The carer also needs to be relatively fit and able to manoeuvre the equipment.Height. Make sure the frame or rail is the correct height for you, so you can use the support safely and comfortably. For this, make sure to choose a system with an adjustable height.

Toilet surround frames are designed to fit around a toilet providing a hand-hold on either side. The height of the frame can usually be adjusted to provide the hand-holds at the most appropriate height for you (usually around elbow height). Some frames are also width adjustable. Most of these frames can be used with raised toilet seats if required. Some frames can be folded flat when not in use.One of the easiest ways of providing alternative facilities is to use a commode. A range of different styles are available. Features that you may need to consider are: Drop-down toilet rails provide support on a second side, if no wall is present for fixed rails. They also allow the rail to be lifted out of the way when not needed, or if a carer needs to move closer to the individual on the toilet. Self-propelled over-toilet chairs enable the wheelchair user to transfer themselves into the chair from, for example, the bed, propel themselves into the bathroom/toilet and manoeuvre themselves over the toilet. Features such as removable or fold-up arm rests, retractable or flip-up footrests can make An epoxy, paint or plastic finish provides a warmer feel to rails, is hard wearing and will reduce the effects of condensation. A choice of colour allows for a colour contrast with the wall for users with low vision or for co-ordination of bathroom accessories. The strategic placing of grab rails can help to provide a secure handhold to pull up or slide across with during these transfers. In addition, the following may help: