Your hygiene is an aspect of your life you must not fail to observe irrespective of the condition you find yourself in.
You have to devise a way to have your shower and do your clean-up even while using crutches.
This may seem like a difficult routine you will have to learn. But with some guidance and a little practice, you will find such a routine an easy one.
The steps listed below will give you guidance on how to have a great time under the shower with your crutches, and as well, maximize your safety while bathing.
Table of Contents
- How to Take Shower with Crutches (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Safety Tips to Observe
- How to Shower with Crutches (Video)
How to Take Shower with Crutches (Step-by-Step Guide)
1) Get Ready to Shower
You must make some preparations if you must have your shower without running into any difficulty. Failure to prepare will cause you to move in and out of the bathroom midway through your bath. You will be at risk of slipping during such movements.
Put your soap, sponge, shampoo, towel, bathrobe, and any other thing you will need at reach. Also, set your shower stool in the bathtub if you will need one, and ensure that it is stable. This preparation might be difficult to do by yourself.
You might want to seek assistance from someone.
Give your injured leg some special treatment, especially if it has a cast on it. Tie your leg with a plastic trash bag or cast cover so that it won’t get soaked with water.
If your injured leg needs to be elevated while you bathe, get another shower stool or any other alternative.
Proceed to the bathroom in your bathrobe or towel. Remember to remove every accessory on your body (like jewelry) that may be discomforting before you proceed to the bathroom. Keep your crutches at a corner where splashing water won’t reach.
You don’t want to use wet crutches.
Related: How to Make Crutches for Kids
2) Assume a Comfortable Position
The type of injury you have will determine the best position to assume while you shower. It’s advisable to use a shower stool so that you won’t fall while trying to maintain balance on one leg.
Also, ensure that your shower stool is steady and doesn’t have the chance of gliding when you seat on it.
3) Have Your Bath
You can use a hand-held shower to pour water on your body.
This will help you to direct the water to specific parts of your body and keep water away from the cast on your leg. Don’t bathe in a hurry. Any slip of your hands or feet can cause you to fall.
3) Dry Your Body Properly
It’s advisable to dry your body with a towel properly before attempting to leave the bathroom. Your wet hands will make you lose a firm grip on your crutch, and your wet body will drip water on your path, which will also make your crutches lose their firmness on the ground.
You can cover up in your bathrobe before stepping out.
4) Step Out Gently
Reach out for your crutches where you’ve kept them and gently leave the bathroom. It’s normal to have some drops of water on the floor at this time, so you have to be careful with your movement.
Related: Forearm Crutches vs Cane: Here’s the Right One for you
Safety Tips to Observe
Your safety should be your priority each time you enter the shower to bathe. A lot of home accidents can be prevented if you apply all precautions.
1) Consult Your Doctor
Your doctor is in the best position to tell you the positions to stay in while you have your shower. He or she will give you advice on the best way to protect the cast on your leg, and other advice that will help you bathe without having a problem.
Sometimes, you might make some mistakes that will lead to your fall in the bathroom. Don’t hesitate to inform your doctor when you begin to experience a new pain from falling. Also, don’t assume or make guesses about the proper way to go about any doubt you’re having.
2) Get an assistance
Endeavor to have someone help you through the process of organizing your bath until you’ve learned to be independent. This is also important in cases where you’re still experiencing much pain from your leg injury.
You can call on someone to help bathe you.
It’s also important to always have someone present in your home when you’re having your bath. This period of your life requires that you have someone that you can easily call on when you’re faced with some troubles.
3) Clear the Clutters on the Way
Obstacles on pathways can be dangerous to crutch users. Before you take your shower, ensure that your room, particularly the floor, is tidy. Remove nylon wraps, clothes, and footwear from the floor.
Also, pay attention to liquid drops on the floor. Dry them and ensure that they’re not slippery. All these will go a long way in preventing an accident, especially when you’re done bathing and your attention might be on how to dress up quickly to meet up with an appointment.
Avoid wet floors at all costs.
Related: How to Decorate Crutches Beautifully
4) Get Some Equipment for Support
There are a lot of equipment and devices you can use during the shower that will improve your safety.
Bath Mat
You can get a bath mat and place it at the front of your bathtub or bath stall. Let the mat be the first thing your feet step on after you’ve had your bath. This is because they’re non-slip mats that will prevent you from falling as you step out of the bathtub.
Shower Stool or Shower Board
A shower stool is another bathing equipment you can make use of while bathing. Sit on it to have your bath. An alternative is the shower board, which you can place across your bathtub and sit on them.
Grab Bars
Grab bars allow you to hold on to them for support while you take your bath. You can install a freestanding grab bar whose lengths are often from the floor to the ceiling and can allow you to encircle your arm around it while you bathe.
You can also fix a wall-mounted grab bar. It can be mounted on the wall without a screw.
Bath Steps
Bath steps allow you to climb into your bathtub without you lifting your legs high. They are available at different heights. They also have plastic or rubber covering at their bottoms and surfaces that will prevent them from skidding when you place your weight on them.
Bath steps are not fixed to the floor; you have to place them properly and be careful when using them.
