How do adaptations and equipment help with bathing after a spinal cord injury? - Katie Powell, OT

In terms of bathing, we look at what parts of the body a person can bathe and what they need help with. We’ll take a look at if there’s different equipment that can help, whether that’s a hand-held showerhead, so they can spray the water where they need to. We look at using adaptive sponges, so a sponge on a long stick if somebody doesn’t have the balance to lean forward and wash their feet. If somebody has difficulty holding a sponge or washcloth, we’d look at a mitt that they can put on their hand and just move around their body to wash them. We look at the seated surface that they’re sitting on, that’s an incredibly important aspect of the bathing task because it one, provides them the stability they need to move their arms to be able to wash, and two it gives them a safe surface to sit on to make sure that their skin remains intact and that they’re not at risk for a skin breakdown. So we look at a padded shower chair or a padded shower bench in order for that person to safely sit on and be able to complete the bathing task.