Showering and Bathing Tips for Arthritis Patients

Author: Derry Hall

As individual ages, various diseases may set in. Arthritis is one of the most common medical conditions that older people suffer from. Several times, doctors may recommend taking a bubble bath to loosen inflammatory chemicals in joints that cause arthritis symptoms. However, taking a bath or shower becomes complicated just like other activities if you have arthritis.

Consulting a medical professional is always the first thing to look out for.

Besides, there are luckily a number of general tips you can follow to bathe comfortably.

1. Make Your Bathroom Arthritis-Friendly

  • Use a bathroom aid to sit

    • Taking a shower while standing for long periods may be uncomfortable for arthritis patients. Therefore, always make sure that you have a bathroom aid that you can sit on and relax to enjoy a bath for longer. A shower chair and a bath board form two important bathroom aids that you can consider using. If you prefer taking showers, a shower chair can be a suitable option. In case you like bathing in a tub, you can consider buying a bath board instead.

  • Install a handheld showerhead

    • If you find positioning yourself under a regular shower head hard, a handheld showerhead can be of great help. With a grippy handle and manoeuvrable head, this bathroom aid can really help take bath while sitting down in your bathtub or on a shower stool.

  • Add a non-slip bath mat

    • If you have balance issues or brain fog in addition to arthritis, chances are high that you may fall and injure yourself. To avoid severe injuries and accidents, go for a good slip-resistant bath mat that you can spread on your bathroom floor. It will protect you against accidental falls and injuries.

  • Add a grab bar

    • Arthritis sufferers can find it hard to get in or out of the bath. Thus, installing a grab bar (or two) near the shower door or on the wall nearest to exit can help ensure your comfort and safety. If possible and feasible for other family members, go for permanent mounting of grab bars on your bathroom door or walls.

    2. Choose the Right Toiletries

  • Go hands-free

    • If possible, consider replacing manual dispensers with automatic ones to alleviate pain in hands. Be it the liquid soap, facial cleansers, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner; try getting an automatic dispenser for all.

  • Go for rubber cosy on shampoo bottles

    • Add an inexpensive rubber or silicone beer cosy to cover your shampoo and conditioner bottles. This covering will help tighten your grip over the bottles and increase your comfort.

  • Replace your cleaning sponge with a long brush

    • Instead of using a regular scrubber or sponge to exfoliate the skin, go for long-handled exfoliating bristles. A rubber or silicone handle can be more suitable to ensure a comfortable and tight grip. Also, see to it that the brush has soft bristles so that it doesn't irritate your skin.

    3. Adjust Your Bathing Routine

  • Add Epsom salt to water

    • Adding Epsom salt to your water while bathing may help reduce pain and swelling owing to arthritis, as found by researchers. An Epsom salt bath may also help relax muscles and stiff joints due to the presence of Magnesium in it.

  • Take your time

    • Make some more time to shower to loosen up your body and feel relaxed. A little longer shower or bath than normal can help refresh and soothe both your body and mind. If possible and your health allows, consider taking night showers - especially in summers. It can help you get a better sleep that will re-energize your body for the next day.

    To Wrap Up

    If you are an arthritis patient, you can follow the above-mentioned and use a bathroom aid like a shower chair or bath board to make bathing easier.