Safer showering for your residents – Aged care

Showering and toileting is considerably easier and safer if you choose the correct shower commode for your residents’ needs.

It’s important to find solutions which protect fragile skin, prevent injury to both residents and your team, and ultimately enable you to provide a calm and comfortable showering experience.

When looking at which commodes will benefit your facility, it’s necessary to consider the acuity of your residents and what they’re physically able to do. Can they sit upright or would a tilt-in-space commode make the individual feel more secure?

A resident with low tone in the trunk or poor balance will benefit from a tilt-in-space commode, as the tilt function spreads a person’s weight over the back and seat of the commode while lowering pressure points. Research shows that a 35° tilt can lower pressure on the seat by over 40%. Designed to comfortably retain the resident in a desirable seating position at all times, the tilt also means a carer won’t have to hold a resident upright in the chair.

Juvo Viking offer a robust range of shower commodes including a full reclining tilt-in-space option. They’ll support up to 200kg and the position of the arm supports allow residents of all shapes and sizes to sit comfortably and securely without feeling wedged in. The standard Juvo Viking commode has a sliding foot plate which can’t be removed or go missing. The tilt-in-space commode provides excellent head support with the higher backrest.

Choosing the correct seat will ensure stability when seated and help protect the skin from pressure injuries or skin tears. Your residents’ I.T (sit) bones and coccyx should fall within the aperture (opening) so the load is carried by their glute muscles and legs.

Two seat opening options are available – an open front seat provides easier access for showering residents while a closed front gives more stability for petite residents. For greater pressure relief and comfort, Cubro can supply seamless customised seats using high-grade vinyl and foam, rather than molded or machine-made padded seats.

One common extra you might want to consider is a pan carrier under the seat. This assists in containing incontinence if the toilet cannot be reached in time.

If larger residents find they’re unable to sit comfortably or safely on some commodes there are wider options available. Just be sure to check that the commode will fit through the door into your shower room.

Like most healthcare equipment, shower commodes get a lot of use and deteriorate over time. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the castors, seat and frame will help extend their working life. If the chair is hard to push or there is a damaged seat, it will need to be repaired or replaced immediately to prevent further risk of injury or infection to staff and residents.