Bathroom Aids Buying Guide 

A bathroom mobility aid is an assistive device designed to assist users with tasks in the bathroom. They are designed to make tasks easier and safer, for example by making it easier for users to step in and out of the bathtub, providing a safe place for users to sit whilst showering or providing users with support when standing up after sitting down on the toilet. 

Bathrooms are seen as one of the most dangerous rooms in the home due to the high risk of slips and falls. Many can slip in the shower and recover quickly; for the elderly, those recovering from surgery, and those with disabilities, slips and falls in the bathroom are more likely to have a detrimental effect, leading to extensive periods of time in hospital, additional surgery requirements and extensive pain. 

Equipping your bathroom or wet room with the right bathroom aids can assist in reducing the risk of injury, in turn allowing many to confidently remain living at home independently. 

Bathroom mobility aids can benefit anyone who finds everyday bathroom tasks to be difficult and painful due to reduced strength, mobility or balance difficulties. 

They are commonly used by: 

• Older adults and the elderly who require additional support. 
• Those recovering from surgery or injury such as knee replacements, hip replacements and spinal surgery or are required to limit movement and where the risk of a slip and fall could affect recovery times. 
• Individuals with long-term conditions such as arthritis and joint pain who struggle to lift their leg over the bath tub or who struggle to stand up after sitting down for periods of time. 
• Those with limited balance including those who suffer from dizziness and lightheadedness when standing up due to conditions such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), Orthostatic Hypotension and low blood pressure. 
• Those who suffer from fatigue due to conditions such as fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
• Those who have previously slipped or fell in their home and are seeking to regain confidence and independence . 
• Bariatric users who tire easily.

The right bathroom mobility aid depends on the challenges you experience. Consider what tasks you find most difficult and choose a product designed to provide support in that area. In some instances, you may wish to purchase one or more bathroom aids for support; other users may simply require one bathroom aid for occasional use during periods of pain or for a limited period of time whilst recovering from surgery. For those with long-term conditions, a temporary bathroom or shower aid may be used whilst you seek funding from your local council for bathroom adaptations, for example to create a wheelchair accessible wet room. 

• Difficulty standing while showering: Standing for long periods can become tiring and painful, especially for those suffering from fatigue, chronic pain and balance difficulties. Suitable solutions can include:
  • Shower Stools: Provide a safe place for users to sit whilst showering. 
  • Shower Chairs: Similar to shower stools but more supportive as they offer a backrest. Beneficial for users who require back support. Solutions with armrests are recommended for those who struggle to stand up after sitting for periods of time. 
  • Bath Board: Place on the edges of the bath tub, providing users with a safe place to sit when showering using a shower which is located in the bath tub. 
  • Grab Rails: Secured to the wall of the bathroom or wet room to provide users with additional support and stability when standing.
• Difficulty getting in and out of the bath: Stepping in and out of the bath tub can be difficult for those with reduced flexibility, strength and balance, along with those suffering from arthritis and similar conditions, which can cause pain when lifting your leg. Suitable solutions can include: 
  • Bath Steps: Reduce the distance from the ground to the bath, making it easier for users to step in and out of the bath tub.
  • Bath Transfer Bench: Bridges the gap from outside the bath into the bath, allowing users to sit down outside the bath and slide on the seat into the bath, without having to step. 
  • Bath Hoist & Bath Lift: Lifts users in and out of the bath, designed for those with limited mobility who usually would rely on a carer to support them to access the bath.
  • Walk-in Bath: A bath tub with a watertight door allowing users to walk into the bath, removing the need to step in and out of the bath tub. 
• Difficulty sitting down or standing up from the toilet: Many struggle to sit down and stand up from a toilet, especially for those with pain in their knees and hips or those with limited mobility. Suitable solutions can include: 
  • Toilet Frames: Provide handles to support users when lowering themselves onto the toilet or when standing up from the toilet. 
  • Raised Toilet Seats: Raise the height of the toilet seat to reduce the amount of bending required
• Difficulty getting to the toilet: Individuals can struggle accessing the bathroom quickly or safely, for example for those who rely on a carer who may not always be available or for those who are unable to leave the bed quickly. Suitable solutions can include:
  • Commode Chairs: Provide a convenient toileting solution with options available on wheels or without wheels. 

Shower stools and chairs provide a safe and comfortable seated position while showering or bathing. They are often height adjustable and feature non-slip feet to provide stability on wet bathroom floors.

Shower stools and chairs support a wide range of users including those who struggle to stand for periods of time due to limited balance, fatigue, chronic pain, the elderly and those with limited mobility.

Features to look for and consider:

• Height-adjustable
• Self-draining seat
• Features such as arms, showerhead holder backrest
• Size and capacity - ensuring it will be a comfortable fit for you and fit in the space available
• Portable or fixed solutions

For further advice on choosing a Shower Stool or Shower Chair, read our detailed Shower Stool and Shower Chair Buying Guide.

Bath steps provide a lower step to help users enter and exit the bath more easily. They are especially beneficial for those who struggle to lift their leg in and out of the bath due to limited mobility or pain. They are also beneficial for those at risk of falling or slipping when exiting the bath.

Features to look for and consider:

• Stackable design if you wish to create a higher height or gradual incline
• Non-slip feet and non-slip surface for stability
• Size, including height and width, and capacity

For further advice on choosing a Bath Step, read our detailed Bath Step Buying Guide.

Toilet frames provide support rails around the toilet, helping users lower themselves and stand safely. They are often suitable for people who have difficulty using standard toilet heights.

Features to look for and consider:

• Height-adjustable to achieve a setting comfortable for you
• Width, or adjustable width feature) to ensure it fits the space available
• Easy to grip handles for support
• Weight capacity
• Available space in your bathroom

Bathroom mobility aids can improve safety, but it is also important to consider the wider bathroom environment. Helpful tips include:

• Keep floors dry where possible to minimise the risk of slips
• Keep the area, including bathroom aids clean to maintain good hygiene standards and minimise the risk of mold
• Ensure the bathroom is well lit
• Check mobility aids regularly for signs of damage and wear, do not continue to use if damaged
• Always read the manufacturer's guidance prior to use, never exceed the recommended capacity of the bathroom aid
• Use bathroom aids on flat stable surfaces
• If you are unsure of the right mobility aid for you speak to your GP, Occupational Therapist or nurse for guidance.

VAT relief - In the UK, VAT relief is available across all of our mobility aids, including bathroom aids. Those with long-term disabilities, such as those living with M.S., arthritis, cancer, COPD, do not have to pay VAT on mobility aids. Registered charities also do not have to pay VAT on these items. When you add the item to your basket simply complete your VAT exemption details in the VAT relief box to purchase the bathroom aid without the VAT, in turn saving you 20%. It is a self-declaration, we simply require the user's full name and disability. You do not need to send over any paperwork as evidence, nor do you need to be registered as disabled or claim benefits.

Funding through the NHS & Council for portable bathroom aids - In the UK many are entitled to free bathroom aids, including shower stools, through local authority grants and the NHS. It is recommended you speak to the adult social services department at your local council to arrange a home assessment. A professional will contact you to discuss your needs and may arrange a home visit to assess your requirements. It generally takes 4 - 6 weeks for an assessment to take place however this can vary depending on availability. The types of mobility aid will depend on what your assessment decides.

In the UK councils can also loan mobility aids, such a grab rails, shower stools and other bathroom aids, through the Community Equipment Service (CES). You will need to speak to an Occupational Therapist, nurse, social care worker, GP or other NHS worker to arrange ordering equipment for you.

Funding through the council for Permanent Bathroom Adaptions - If you are seeking to adapt your bathroom, for example by installing an accessible wet room with a level access shower or a walk in bath tub, you may be able to secure funding from the council through a Disabled Facilities Grant. The funding is designed for those who are physically disabled, have a terminal illness, those with age-related needs, those with cognitive impairments like dementia and those with progressive conditions like motor neurone disease. The amount you can apply for depends on where you are based, for example in England the maximum grant is £30,000. You may need to pay towards the work depending on your saving and income. The council are required to review and approve or refuse your grant within 6 months which. Following approval it can take a couple of months for works to commence and you will need to seek planning and building regulations approval where required which is why many seeking temporary bathroom aids prior to undertaking renovation works.

Support from Charities - Various UK charities also offer free or discounted mobility aids to buy or rent including the British Red Cross (for periods up to 20 weeks).

Top tip - If you are disabled and require toilet aids, you may benefit from purchasing a RADAR key, a universal key to allow you to access over 10,000 accessible public toilets in the UK. With public toilets being increasingly hard to find in the UK due to closures, the key is extremely beneficial to many and can be purchased online for around £5.00.

Freestanding and portable bathroom aids are permitted in rented accommodation, including accommodation with private landlords and council owned properties.

If you wish to install a fixed bathroom aid, such as a wall-mounted shower seat or wall-mounted grab rails, you will need to seek permission from the landlord. Housing providers are required to carry out adaptions for council or housing association tenants.

Under the Equality Act, if asked the landlord must make reasonable adjustments to a property so that those with disabilities can use the property. If you require adaptions you will need to speak to your landlord or, where relevant the council. For council tenants, or if you need evidence for your landlord, you will usually require an assessment from an Occupational Therapist (OT) who will provide recommendations as to what work should be completed. To schedule an OT assessment, you should contact your local council and ask to speak to the OT team.

At The Ramp People, we have been supplying mobility aids designed to improve independence, safety and accessibility for customers across the UK since 2006. Our range of bathroom aids have been selected to provide reliable solutions for users with different mobility needs, from those requiring occasional support to those needing a more supportive bathroom aid.

• Trusted mobility specialist - We are members of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), demonstrating our commitment to quality, customer service and responsible trading within the healthcare sector.
• Quality assured products - Our business operates under an ISO 9001 quality management system, helping ensure consistent standards across our products and services.
• Safety tested bathroom aids - Our shower stools and shower chairs are CE and UKCA marked where applicable, confirming they meet relevant product safety requirements.
• Rated excellent by customers - We are rated excellent on Trustpilot with over 11,000 customer reviews from individuals and companies who have purchased our products.
• Expert advice from a trusted mobility specialist - With years of experience supplying mobility aids, we understand that every user's needs are different. Our team can provide guidance on selecting the most suitable bathroom aid based on your mobility level, bathroom layout and personal requirements, helping you make a confident and informed choice.
• Long-lasting support - All of our mobility aids include a minimum of a 1-year warranty, providing customers with confidence in their purchase.

Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.