Why Assisted Bathing Can Benefit Individuals With Neurological Disorders

We were recently networking with a care home manager of a young adult home who mentioned that showers can cause sensory overload in patients who have autism or epilepsy, leading us to do some of our own research.

According to the UK’s Epilepsy Society, having a shower can be safer than having a bath because the water drains away, reducing the risk of drowning. However, under the supervision and assistance of a carer, we found that bathing has several benefits, a calmer washing experience being one of them. 

The sensory processing issues that some neurodivergent individuals face can make showering an overwhelming and uncomfortable activity. The sound of running water and the sensation of water hitting their skin may be extremely unpleasant and cause anxiety, triggering reflex seizures in epilepsy patients. 

Baths, especially assisted baths, provide a more controlled environment where users can practice their preferences on how they want to be cleaned. For example, some may prefer the feeling of being immersed in water at a familiar temperature, while others may choose to be rinsed by having water from a jug gently poured over their bodies or sponge-bathed. 

Protec Baths offers a range of assisted baths and customisations that make bathing less challenging and promote dignity and care depending on the needs of the user. Let’s use our Duporth Hi-Lo bath as a demonstration.

This specialist height-adjustable bath allows bathers to be hoisted in and out. It can also be customised with the following: 

• In-bath cradles and supports to allow sensory patients the pleasure of bathing without the stress of risking slipping and drowning. 
• Over-bath stretchers which may help reduce the need for movement. This is especially helpful when caring for children who are sensitive to triggers as they can bathe, dry, and change without switching the bathroom environment.
• Auto bath fill technology with temperature control. This feature has data logging that allows users to programme default temperatures and preferred water levels, an extremely useful detail that helps prevent seizures in reflex or hot water epilepsy.

The Duporth Hi-Lo, together with other assisted baths and accessories in our range, is designed to meet the specialised needs of bathers with disabilities, creating dignified bathing and enhancing relaxation. Other benefits include:

• Maintaining a familiar bathing experience
• Avoiding the “car wash” experience of being sprayed on a transit chair or shower stool
• Promoting better sleep, especially as part of a pre-bedtime routine
• Offering a safe play and learning environment for children
• Mood improvement
• Reducing the exertion associated with manual moving and handling
• Delivering a positive experience and promoting carer-bather engagement

Crafted in Britain for accurate lead delivery and dedicated aftersales support, our assisted baths are elegant and can be accompanied by contemporary features to create attractive, calming bathrooms that are customised to the level of needs in your care home or personal home. 

We understand the importance of preventing sensory overload and invite you to chat with our team for information on how to create a bathing environment that keeps bathers safe, relaxed, and gently stimulated: 01726 438694 / sales@protecbaths.com