Personal Hygiene, Handicap Accessories, Handicap Bathroom Accessories

What is Personal Hygiene?

Personal hygiene is the process of maintaining personal grooming and cleanliness and is important for all individuals for health purposes. Those who fail to practice personal hygiene are more likely to become sick or to make others ill by spreading germs. In general, personal hygiene refers to bathing regularly to cleanse the hair and skin, keeping the nails clean and clipped, brushing the teeth, and wearing deodorant.

Those with disabilities or the elderly may have trouble maintaining personal hygiene on their own. Therefore, various types of personal hygiene products are available to assist people in keeping their body healthy. From bath systems to shampoos, from nail clippers to denture cups, it is critical to properly care for the body for a healthy lifestyle. For best results, basic attention to hygiene should be a daily habit.

Bathing daily, or every 2-3 days for less active people, is the cornerstone of personal hygiene. It helps to keep the skin healthy, diminishes body odor, and prevents some skin conditions which occur if the skin is not cared for properly. Washing the hands throughout the day is another element of personal hygiene, especially after using the restroom. This is to prevent the spread of disease as well as for personal cleanliness.

Keeping the nails clipped and healthy is another important aspect of personal hygiene. This involves removing any dirt from under the nails and keeping them clipped short. Also, wearing deodorant is important. Grooming the hair should be a part of daily care which may include washing and brushing it, and for men, trimming a beard or shaving the face.

What is a Bathing System?

A bathing system is freestanding and gives individuals back their independence along with the enjoyment of a safe and convenient way to keep the body clean. One style of a bathing system includes an electronic control panel which changes the height and tilt of the bath system for personal preference. It is made of fiberglass and features an ergonomic head rest, back rest, and drain channel. The tub is easily entered from the side through a leak-proof manual door, and is accessible with a lift.

Standard features of this bathing system includes four adjustable feet, temperature control with a thermostat, a scald protection system, shower hose, pop up drain system, electric actuator for lifting and adjusting the incline, and an emergency backup battery operation. There are many optional features that can be added to the basic bath system, such as an injector disinfection, shampoo and bath oil dispenser, hydro massage with two jets, safety bar, stackable leg rest, backflow preventer, upper extremity massage tube, underwater color change lighting, and magic light and sound. This tub’s water capacity is 24 to 34 gallons.

Another style is a fiberglass basic bathing system which can be raised and lowered to allow access of a wet lifter or floor lift directly to the tub. The ability to raise and lower the bath with height adjustable legs allows a caregiver to help an individual in and out of the tub without straining. This lowers the risk of injury to both the caregiver and the individual. This system has a back control panel which controls temperature and water flow, and touch panels which control the tub height. Standard features include accessibility from all sides, a self-closing shower, flexible positioning of the bather, and integrated armrests. Optional features that can be added to this bathing system include an injector disinfection, safety bars, hydro massage with two jets, a turn button, pre fill option, backflow preventer, fill in spout, upper extremity massage tube, underwater color change lighting, and a head rest. This bathing tub’s water capacity is over 47 gallons.

An inflatable vinyl bed bath is a convenient way to give an individual a bathing experience while still lying in bed. Simply lay the tub onto the bed, roll the individual into the bath, and inflate it around them with the included wet-dry vacuum. Fill it with the drain hose from any water source, allow the individual to soak and clean, then drain it back into a tub, sink, or toilet. It can accommodate a person up to 6 feet 2 inches tall. A hand-held shower head connects to a water tap up to 25 feet away for a shower experience.

What other Personal Hygiene products are available?

Personal hygiene for the hands and feet include taking care of the nails as well as the skin. Nails should be kept clean and short with nail clippers to minimize germs from harboring underneath. Hair care includes washing with a shampoo along with combing and brushing it frequently. A healthy mouth can be kept soft with a moisturizer. Facial and leg hair is shaved with a razor and dentures are kept in a container to stay wet and clean. Toileting care includes bowel management tools, a suppository inserter, and toilet splashguards. Many other personal hygiene items are available to keep every area of the body clean and healthy.

Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CEO

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