Shower bar.....

[Shelly36]

Does anyone use or need a shower bar?

I just bought one, along with a shower mat and nozzle. I need to feel as though I can take care of myself and this is a good start.

Right here, right now

[jimeka]

Hi Shelly, I had my bath taken out as I couldn't get in and out safely, replaced it with a walk in shower, fitted with a shower bar, non slip floor and mat with a seat. This way I can keep my independence, but I must admit that on rough days my husband is able to help me, just in case I fall. I do miss my bath though, especially having a soak when you have fallen. Hope you feel more secure with your shower bar, I find it helps with balance. Enjoy, Jimeka

[Shelly36 in reply to jimeka]

Hi Jimeka, thank you for your message. I still have my tub/shower combo and I fell trying to get out of it one day. Now I just take a bath but I'm looking forward to not depending on my husband to get me in and out of the shower. I would like to just hop in but that doesn't work for us, hopping I mean, I'm hoping this bar will keep me from falling or getting dizzy. Both are not good.

Getting rid of my tub for a walk in shower is a great idea!

Shelly

[erash]

I installed shower bars last year. My goal is to work on balance exercises and maintain my abilities BUT not on a wet slippery floor 😊 Sometimes I make rational choices! Was surprised my insurance does not cover this.

[purpletustin in reply to erash]

Hi Erash, Keep track of all these items you purchase and/or install as they add to your medical tax write-offs. I've checked with our CPA, and my scooter, lift chair (1600.), ramps, all count when preparing my taxes. He did have me get a script from doctor prior to making the purchases.

On another safety shower stall note. We purchased our home 3.5 years ago. It was a wreck. We did a complete remodel, from the broken foundation to the roof. (Got it for a great price from the bank). Since I am fully trained in ADA compliance (American Disability Act) and used to train others, I used my training in designing many areas of the house. I do screw up on occasion, but not in this.

Had the main shower area in master bath remodeled to have a wider shower door and no threshold. Had the floor at the entrance slightly slope to the center of the shower and built a wide seat at chair height. Transferring is easy, especially since there is a large shower bar in the shower. I wasn't using scooter at that point, but prepared for the future. Able to write off on taxes most of the bathroom remodel, the part to bring it to ADA compliance.

Sorry for such a lengthy post, but maybe someone will find it informative. Best wishes to all our partner's who figure out how to make lives easier.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to purpletustin]

Sounds like an excellent remodel! We tore up our master bath a few months ago. Put in a 5x7 walk in shower (no threshold and with a sloping, waterproof floor), without a shower door. We are fortunate enough to have a bathroom large enough to do this-no tub, just the shower. Installed 3 grab bars and 2 shelf/grab bar combinations to hold shampoo, etc., two shower heads-one on a sliding bar with handheld. I did have a seat put in, but I messed up on that. Didn't catch the size error when the tile guy was doing it. It isn't wide enough. Kind of perch on it now. That won't work when I can't balance myself well enough to stay put on it. Oh, well, we may need to bring in an actual shower chair later. Hard to believe home builders still install tub/shower combos even in independent living apartments. My mom has several friends who have fallen (and broken leg/hip) stepping over the tub, and another who got stuck in the tub. That's my problem-lifting the leg over any threshold. I know everyone can't afford a full remodel or has the room size to pull off a big walk in shower like ours, but grab bars are a great idea. Anything to prevent a fall!!

[purpletustin in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Super ideas.

[Shelly36 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

That's my problem, lifting my legs to get in and out. I didn't think of getting more than one bar. That's a great idea. I am terrified of falling again.

[erash in reply to purpletustin]

Great recommendations!

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hiya Shelly36 l have a shower bar that my boyfriend put in for me when l almost fell once. Then he got me a shower seat when he left for work. That was a surprise to me ♡ He said since he didn't know when he was gonna be back n shrugged lol

[purpletustin]

Hi Shelly36. We have all the above in our bathrooms. IMHO, everything you've mentioned, is a necessity. If not for these assistive items, I'd have been on the floor even more times. Still recovering from 2nd major back surgery, 2 since Dec. 2015 and have totally depended on these bars, mats, etc. Good, practical post, great reminder to all of us.

[Cwacker]

Hi Shelly36, yes, I have a shower bar, we have a tub, shower combo and my bar helps me to get in and out of the shower safely.

[Cwacker]

P. S. My husband and I have talked about taking out the tub and putting in a walk in shower instead, meanwhile just being very cautious and only take a shower when he's home

[Vlbrown57]

I even bought a shower chair which has eased my fear of falling. Keeping as much independence as possible.

[Shelly36]

I bought everything online through Everything Medical, the prices are pretty good and the shipping is $10 anywhere in the country. Just trying to help anyone who may need it.

[purpletustin in reply to Shelly36]

Hi Shelly36, great info. I'll check out their website. Thanks much. Flo

[purpletustin in reply to Shelly36]

Hi shelly36, tried everythingmedical.com, but didn't work for me

Any ideas???

Flo

Purpletustin

[Shelly36 in reply to purpletustin]

Try calling

702-366-1111

1811 w Charleston blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89102

I'm sorry it didn't work for you

Shelly

[Shelly36 in reply to purpletustin]

I was wrong, it's everythingmedical.net

[purpletustin in reply to Shelly36]

I was able to track them. Thanks so much for your kindness.

Flo

[Elle61]

Hi Shelly36, I use shower grip handles + an in tub seat... I can barely lift my leg to get into tub now. Anyway I like them because I can take grips with me if I travel not the tub seat though, haven't figured that out yet. You have to stay safe ...it is what it is.

[Hidden]

I added shower bars. One vertical next to the shower, one horizontal above the tub. I installed them so that I had something to grab onto if I started collapsing, or I needed to pull myself up in the tub. I also added one as a towel rail hear the toilet in case I needed help getting off the toilet, and one near the bathroom door. I have been lucky in that treatment has removed my tendency to collapse unexpectedly so I haven't needed them much, but they are always available if I need them. I retain the transfer bench in the tub while I shower just in case I want to sit down, although it is used more as a convenient surface for soaps and sponges than sitting on.

[Shelly36 in reply to Hidden]

That's a great idea. I should have gotten more than one bar

[Hidden in reply to Shelly36]

If you bought a metal bar, I hope you bought it with the rough surface to ensure a good grip. If you have been in a rehab or physiotherapy shower, you know what they should look like.

I had strategically placed bars put in during a bathroom remodel based on advice from a caregiver for positioning. I am very happy with what was done and they should be useful when/if I start to relapse in the future.

[Bygonelines]

While our home was being built we had to livein a little apartment (our old home sold too fast). Anyway, I fell on halloween last year getting into the tub and broke my leg in 2 places. When I got out of the hospital I had home visits from Physical therapy. They had me get a shower/tub transfer bench. This worked really well except that I could not lift my leg into the tub so I got creative. I had a dog leash that was too short for my dog and used that to pull my foot up and into the tub. Now we are in the new home and we had it built to be mostly ADA compliant. All hallways are 4'-5' wide, all doorways but one are 36" wide. The masterbath has a roll in, no threshold shower. All light switches are rocker switches, almost all cabinets have pullout drawers. I can get my walker everywhere in my home and my wheelchair will go everywhere except into my pantry. In my shower I have 3 shower bars and my transfer bench. To make it easier to get shampoo and conditioner I bought a holder that that can hold a shampoo, conditioner and liquid soap. The shower looks neat and I only have to push a button 3 or 4 times to get theamount of soap or conditioner that I need. It helps to make showering less exhausting.

[iodine1949]

I must check our finances to see if I can make remove my tub and extend my shower. Thank goodness my husband can do that.

[Eleyne92 in reply to iodine1949]

You might consider refinancing your home, if you have mortgage and some equity. I was able to finance a complete bathroom makeover, as well as pay off few other small debts.

[Fancy1959]

Hey Shelly, it's Fancy1959. I do have a shower with only about a one inch tall threshold. One shower bar, in my opinion, still leaves you to vulnerable to falling. I would suggest you put in at least two so if you need to turn to reach soap or shampoo or to simply rinse off you will never have to turn your back to a single bar in your shower. I should know, I took a nasty fall in my shower several months ago. Is your shower nozzle the kind that also has a hand held nozzle with a flexible hose beside the top nozzle? If it doesn't, take it back. Can you catch your foot on the mat or can it move or slide with you on it. If so, try getting the self sticking decals you put on yourself. I tend to think they would not create the trip hazard the bath mat might. Lastly, not on your list, you need a shower seat or bench. Maybe you were lucky enough to have one built in. If not, get one longer than you need to help if you set down hard. That way, you can't miss it. It can also be a handy place to set soaps, etc. I ordered a bamboo one from Amazon and I think I ordered mine 18 to 20 inches wide. With the shower bench and hand held shower nozzle, you can sit down while you safely wash and rinse your hair and about 90% of your body. I hope this helps you. It has worked great for me over the past several months. I even had a girlfriend who was at Physical Therapy come out and go over it with me. Now I have passed along her suggestions to you as well. She told me to keep sitting down as much as I could especially when I washed and rinsed my hair. I hope this helps. It sure has helped me. Together we are stronger!

[Kj9681]

Honey, yes!! I bought one, and God led me to an apartment that already has them installed! 🙌🏾 I use it everyday...I need it! No shame! It is what it is.

It's ok...

Blessings

[Shelly36]

Wow that was quick! I got my shower bar in today! My brother is going to help me put it in

[Eleyne92]

I have a roll in shower with both horizontal and vertical bars, a fold up bench, and a sliding shower head, as well as a standard one. Plenty of room. I also have a raised toilet with bars on both sides to aid in transfers.

We had to remodel the bathroom a few years ago, so we had a rehab specialist help design it.

I need a little help getting in and out of the shower, even with the bars, but there's adequate room for a caregiver to help with my chair.