Transfer

II. Bathing

B. Role of Caregivers

Over time many family members or informal caregivers find themselves doing more things for the care recipient. They may believe it is just easier and faster for them to perform the task than allow the care recipient to participate. Indirectly, this may encourage the care recipient to perform less of the task although he/she may be able to assist. In time the burden of doing everything for the care recipient will take its toll. Assistive devices/technology can help the caregiver relieve some of the burden. For some caregivers, adding the task of learning how to use assistive technology in order to instruct, facilitate and integrate the device into the daily routine; can seem overwhelming. By allowing the care recipient to participant in the activity with the use of assistive devices will help the care giver over time.

Remember whenever possible, the roles of the caregivers are:

assessing,
personalizing,
instructing the user of assistive devices, and
facilitating integration of the device into daily activities.

There are many products on the market to help individuals with disabilities, caregivers and care recipients with bathing and transferring. Some of the products that are purchased and tried are abandoned because the users and their caregivers are unable to integrate the device into their daily lives. The formal caregiver can help the informal caregiver and care recipient select the best product to meet their needs. According to Kintsch and DePaula (2002), "whenever possible, the individual with a disability should be in complete control of the assistive technology tool; they should be able to select, set up, personalize, trouble shoot and use it independently." But for those that are severely disabled, this may not be possible. For these individuals, they need a support system to help them (family, informal caregivers, therapists, and other medical personal).

The activity of bathing can be problematic and potentially hazardous for the older person. Bathtubs and showers account for more than 26,000 injuries per year among the older population (Well & Evans, 2004). The primary areas are:

(stepping in and out of the tub/shower,
and sitting down and standing up from the bottom of the tub), and
an improper match between the device and the person can also create a hazardous situation.

While bathing can be problematic for the care recipient, it is one of the hardest tasks for caregivers, too. The most difficult part of bathing for the caregiver is getting the care recipient out of the tub. It is difficult to handle the care recipient in narrow and awkward designed bathrooms. Inadequate space makes it difficult to maneuver roll-in wheelchairs, obstructs the use of mobility aids, and limits the movement of the caregiver. Using shower stalls are difficult for caregivers because they get wet along with the care recipient when providing assistance. Caregivers should always wear shoes with rubber soles (athletic shoes) for secure footing on wet floors. Sliding glass or accordion doors make it difficult to transfer the person into and out of the tub. These doors limit maneuverability and the tracks interfere with stepping over the edge of the tub. There is little room to use a bath seat, particularly a bath bench with shower door.

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