Installing grab rails – or grab bars – around your home may be a huge benefit if you or our loved one find that your balance or mobility isn’t quite what it used to be and you think you may need extra support. If you’re considering installing grab rails in your home, there are several factors to consider, relating to your personal needs and circumstances.
Grab rails can be positioned around the home to provide extra support. Conveniently placed rails can be used in several ways, including aiding balance when standing or walking, providing a steadying support while sitting down or getting up, or helping when moving from one position to another.
Grab rails come in a range of designs and styles. With steel grab rails and suction grab rails among the types available, as well as bath grab rails and bed grab rails, it can feel difficult to know where to start.
This guide can help you to choose the right grab rail for you, highlighting what you may need from a grab rail and where it may be most beneficial to fit one in your home.
Correct positioning of grab rails is important to ensure that they will provide the correct support to perform specific tasks. Each grab rail will come with its own published guidance on how to attach and position the grab rail but you should also consider:
If you’ve decided you would benefit from a grab rail or mobility aid, but aren’t sure which would be right for your needs, remember that you don’t have to make this decision alone. If you need any help, you could get support through our Home Living Consultation Service which involves a consultation with a registered Occupational Therapist (OT) who will offer advice and recommendations. You could also speak to your GP practice or local council to discuss an OT assessment.
We offer a wide range of grab rails, which are suitable for installation in different rooms throughout your home. Each grab rail has its own merits and, here, we explore the various options for where you may want to place your new grab rail.
Popular types of grab rails include:
One of the first key buying considerations to decide on is whether you need a permanent or temporary grab rail. This will depend on your needs, and how long you think you’ll need the use of one.
Grab rails are available in a variety of styles and sizes and often need to be fitted to a wall. Stainless steel chrome rails and white plastic rails are two common designs that fit in well with contemporary home décor, offering a stylish look as well as handheld support.
However, although many grab rails are fixed and installed in the home, temporary options are also available. These can be secured to a clean, non-porous wall using suction cups. These can provide a helpful solution if you’re recovering from an injury or illness and require short-term support at home – a suction grab bar is an alternative to a permanent grab rail and can be removed at any time.
Using suction grab bars in your shower or bathtub can work, depending on the surface they are attached to, the weight of the person using them, and the length of time they’ve been up. From a safety standpoint, suction grab bars can work for some individuals, but they do tend to lose their grip after a while. They should be checked regularly and are just for support, not to take your full weight or to pull up on.
Temporary grab bars can also be useful for travel if you want extra support when you’re away from home. You can remove them and take them with you.
If you have a step or steps up to your front or back door, or on a patio area, and need something to steady yourself between the differing levels, you may consider having a grab rail installed outside.
Some grab rails, including the Prima Outdoor Grab Rail, are designed with a weatherproof and non-rusting exterior to make them more suitable for outdoor use. An outdoor grab rail can improve your safety when leaving and entering the home by giving you something sturdy to hold onto, increasing your confidence to venture out independently.
If you’d prefer a more discreet option – so that it’s not so obvious you have an outdoor grab rail – you might like this Invisible Creations product. It’s designed to look like a decorative plant holder; ideal for people who don’t want to appear vulnerable.
Of all the rooms in a house, the bathroom is arguably one of the most common places to experience a slip or fall. Many people can often feel unsteady on tiled flooring, especially when stepping out of the bath or shower, as excess water can make the surface slippery underfoot.
However, there are many ways to improve safety in the bathroom – from non-slip mats to specialised bathroom grab rails. Where to fit a bath grab rail to get the most benefit mainly comes down to where you need the support – fitting grab bars to the wall of your bathroom is a way to provide much-needed stability after bathing, but there are also grab rails designed to fit on the side of your bath or next to the toilet.
Bath grab rails can support you in finding your balance if you feel unsteady when getting into and out of the bath.
A folding toilet rail will help you lower yourself onto and lift yourself from the toilet seat more comfortably, giving you increased independence during your toileting routine.
A bed rail can help to promote independent living by giving you support when getting in and out of bed, or helping you to reposition yourself. There are a variety of bedroom grab rails available, each with a different style and often with different fittings.
At Complete Care Shop, we have a wide range of grab rails which offer support and stability in areas where it’s needed.
Whether you’re looking for grab rails for the bedroom, bathroom or to use around the home, our extensive range has what you’re looking for to give you the support and peace of mind you need. Grab rails help increase confidence and independence while navigating around the home and other settings.
If you’re considering a bed rail it’s a good idea to consult our free online expert advice service, where one of our trained advisors will be able to help you find the right product for your needs.
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