The main ways to adapt your bath to make it easier to get in and out are by using:
Bath boards and seats
- A bath board fits across the bath. You sit on it and lift your legs over the rim. You can wash or shower from there or lower yourself onto a bath seat. £14 - £50
- Washing from a bath seat means you don't have to get right down into the bath. Or you can use one with a board to get into the bath in stages. £17 - £40+
- Combined boards and seats are also available, from £50++
- A bath bench is a bath board that extends beyond the bath to help you get in. More expensive ones have a seat that swivels round. £100 - £160
Bath lifts and hoists
- With a bath lift, you sit on the seat, lift your legs over the rim and press a button on a remote control and the seat slowly lowers you into the bath. There are four kinds of bath lift: manual, inflatable, band and powered seats. £300 - £650+
- Fixed bath hoists are available as either electric or manual models and can be floor or ceiling mounted. £800 - £900++
- Mobile bath hoists can be wheeled about, which is useful if you need to use them in more than one room. £1,000+
Accessories
Bath steps can be a cost-effective solution for many people. They can have one or more steps, and some come with hand rails. £20 - £60.
Grab rails can be combined with many of these solutions for extra security when getting in and out.
Prices
- A wide price range is shown by the ++ sign
- You don't have to pay VAT on bathing products for disabled people
Find out more
Visit Living Made Easy (bathing section) from the Disabled Living Foundation charity, which provides unbiased information on the range of bathing products available in the UK. It doesn't sell products.