Bathtub

More falls happen in the bathroom than anywhere else in the home. Wet surfaces, hard edges, awkward heights and the need to balance on one leg while stepping over a tub wall make it the most hazardous room in the house, and most of those falls happen getting in or out of the bath.

The equipment here addresses that, and most of it costs very little compared with what a fall costs.

Check your tub base before you order

One question decides whether several of these products will work for you: is the bottom of your bath smooth, or does it have a moulded non-slip texture?

Bath mats, bath pillows, suction shower head holders and suction-anchored bath lifts all rely on suction cups, and suction cups only hold on smooth, non-porous surfaces. On a textured or patterned tub base they may not hold at all, which is a safety problem rather than an inconvenience.

Run your hand over the bottom of the bath. If it is textured, tell us, and we will point you at the products that do not depend on suction.

Getting over the tub wall

This is the dangerous moment. Three ways to solve it, in rough order of how much support they give.

A bath board sits across the tub rim so you sit down, then swing your legs over. Simple and inexpensive, and it suits someone reasonably steady who mainly needs somewhere to sit.

A transfer bench straddles the tub wall, with two legs outside and two inside. You sit down on the outside section on firm ground, then slide across. It takes the balancing out entirely, which is why it is the most commonly recommended aid in this category.

A sliding or swivel bench goes further: the seat itself moves or rotates, so you do not have to shuffle along it. Worth the extra if someone has hip or shoulder pain, or has been told not to twist after surgery.

Staying steady once you are in

A tub rail clamps to the side of the bath and gives something solid to hold while standing up or sitting down. Height adjustable versions suit deeper baths and taller users.

A rotating seat stays in the tub and turns, which helps anyone who cannot twist their body easily.

Washing while seated

A handheld shower head is the piece people forget, and it is what makes a seated wash actually work. A fixed overhead shower is aimed at someone standing, so seated it mostly sprays the wall. Long-handled scrubs and loofah straps do the same job for reaching feet and backs.

Not sure which

Tell us how the person manages now and where it goes wrong, and we will tell you which of these solves it. Coming into the showroom to try a bench before buying is worth the trip.