Bath chair

faydhar

Hi all

I suffer from Rhumetioid arthritis and fibromyalgia In June I was in ICU with COVID pneumonia.before I left hospital I was told by the physios that I would have occupational health come out to see what help I needed at home as I explained that I struggle getting out of the bath due to me knees being swollen and extremely painful. It's now Jan and I've heard nothing .today I got stuck in the bath I had to hurt myself to get out of was awful 😞 I'm in a housing association property and I really need a chair lift in the bath or one of those baths that has a door so my husband can help me out . I need the bath to help with my pain also my daughter who has autism cannot have showers as it feels like needles to her so we really need to keep a bath but change it so I can get out of it a wet room wouldnt be an option .has anyone else got help with getting a bath chair or the bath with a door as most ppl I know are told that they have to have a wet room 😕

Rosie_Scope

Hi @faydhar, sorry to hear you're still waiting. Do you have any contact details for occupational health? You might be able to get in touch to see how much longer it might be before they can see you. It may even be worth getting back in touch with the physios if you haven't got any details for occupational health.

I'm afraid I'm not too sure about the bath adaptation as I haven't had experience with this, but I hope some of our members might be able to share what happened for them.

Hope you can find a solution soon!

faydhar

@rosie_scope I haven't got a number for occupational health as they have never contacted me .the physios where a part of the inpatient hospital team so id probably have to ring the general number and ask .. I may try and find the occupational health number or even try the housing officer see if they can help I'm assuming the occupational health didn't get a referral in the end

Rosie_Scope

@faydhar If you have no luck with the hospital, you could try your local authority to see if you're on their list. Sometimes there is a waiting list but if you've been waiting a long time it's well worth checking to see if something's gone wrong somewhere.

Fingers crossed they have some answers for you

kitsmum

I got a bath blow up cushion which is more comfortable than the plastic chair and fits my bath better. I would recommend trying your local council - that is how I got mine, I have 2 pain conditions that make getting into the bath really painful and getting out difficult.

My OT (ME clinic) doesn't recommend a walk in bath since you get cold waiting for it to fill and empty. I am going down the walk in shower route with a pull down seat.

faydhar

@kitsmum a cushion wouldn't work i can't stand up from laying down at all my bath is also very small I need one of rhoaw chairs that rises then turns so u can just stand up .the bath with a door would work I'll just get my husband to pass me a towel .I really need the bath to help with pain and my daughter cannot use a shower because of her autism.today was an awful experience getting out the bath I'm still hurting from it now felt like my knee caps where going to come off .to get out I have to put my legs underneath me get on my knees and pull myself up using the bath taps but from today it hurt me too much and I cannot do that anymore.ill contact my council and my housing association see what can be done

faydhar

@kitsmum I've just looked up the bath cushion I was thinking of something else that may work but it's so expensive

kitsmum

I didn't have to pay for mine. It is on loan since the OT said I need it. I went for an assessment and tried the plastic type one and then they replaced it with the cushioned one. Once I get a shower put in then I will return it to Mediquip.

kitsmum

@faydhar sorry you are struggling so much. Its awful being in pain. Let us know how you get on with the council.

poppy123456

Power bath seats are possible because I used to have one. Mine also used to turn to face the outside of the bath and then turn to inside the bath. Then it moved down into the water and lifted me back out again. This can be provided by an OT. You do not have to have a wet room.

faydhar

@poppy123456 the last property I was in which was 2011 so a while ago they put in a wet room saying I had no choice.so I was worried it would happen again.i mean a powered bath seat would be alot better and cheaper for the housing hopefully they will take that we really need to keep the bath in consideration. I will start with trying to contact occupational health to see why I haven't heard off them if I have no luck I'll see if the housing officer can do anything.

poppy123456

You can also refer yourself for a needs assessment. See link.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/