Certain levels of personal hygiene and grooming are required within workplaces, especially where contact with the public is required. If due to disability a person experiences difficulty attending to hygiene and grooming needs independently, there are a range of aids available. Personal hygiene and grooming aids assist people with disability to manage their personal care more independently. A variety of aids have been designed to assist people who have difficulty performing tasks independently such as brushing their hair, toileting or showering due to physical disability.
For individuals with restricted physical mobility, personal hygiene and grooming aids allow independent management of personal care both at home and within the workplace. Examples of personal hygiene and grooming aids include:
- long handled combs and brushes that allow easier reach with minimal effort
- finger and toenail management items such as nail brushes or emery boards on suction cups, long handled nail scissors or one handed nail clippers
- tweezers and scissors that are adapted to meet a range of physical needs
- long handled dressing sticks/reachers and long handled shoe horns.
More detailed information on these aids can be found at:
Toileting aids and appliances allow people who require support in this area to manage their toileting needs more independently in the workplace. They can include toilet frames and rails, portable toilets, toilet cushions or raised toilet seats:
Continence appliances can assist people to manage difficulties with urinary and bowel incontinence both at home and within the workplace. Continence appliances include sanitary pads and briefs which are worn to control continence issues as well as protectors designed for use on chairs and beds. A personal carer may need to assist with management of these appliances in some circumstances and individuals may be eligible for assistance through the Work Based Personal Assistance program:
For some people with disability, bathing and showering can also be difficult. For those with mobility restrictions consideration should be given to the bathroom design to ensure appropriate access is available. This will minimise the risk of injury or accident and facilitate independence. To achieve appropriate access, door frames may need to be widened, shower hobs removed, vanity basins lowered, cupboards removed below vanities if wheelchair access is required, mirrors re-positioned or baths removed to increase bathroom space.
Commonly used appliances such as electric shavers and hairdryers can be permanently mounted on the wall for easier access and all items used on a daily basis can be left on the vanity such as toothbrushes, hairbrushes, creams and hair products.
A range of showering and bathing aids are also available to assist people with disability manage their bathing needs more independently at home in preparation for work including:
References
Independent Living Centres Australia Inc 2007, Review of products, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 26 March 2010, http://www.ilcaustralia.org.