Using the Toilet

A raised toilet seat and toilet arm rests may be recommended to help you use the toilet. Make sure the toilet paper is within easy reach.

1. Back up until you feel the toilet touch the back of your legs.
2. Move your operated leg slightly forward.
3. Bend both knees and lower yourself slowly on to the toilet seat using the counter top, sink, or toilet arm rests for support.
4. To get up, reverse these steps.

Bathing

At first, have a sponge bath or shower from a sitting position at the sink, in the tub, or in a walk-in shower. Stay seated during the shower for safety.

You may find it helps to have a wooden chair or sturdy stool in the bathroom for when you come out of the bathtub or shower. That way, you can take your time drying yourself.

The equipment below may be recommended:

• an adjustable height bath seat
• detachable tub grab bar
• other safety rails
• long-handled bath sponge
• hand-held shower head

Transfer Techniques: Bathtub and Walk-In Shower

If you have sliding doors on the tub, these may have to be taken out for now and a shower curtain hung so the transfer techniques below can be done safely. Make sure you take away any scatter rugs and place a non-slip mat in the bathtub.

Bathtub

• Walk to the tub and turn so that you can feel the tub against the back of your legs.
• Holding onto the tub rail for support, with your other hand reach back for the bath seat.
• Move your operated leg forward slightly and lower your buttocks on to the bath seat.
• Pivot on your buttocks and lift your legs one at a time up and over the side of the tub.
• Reverse the process to get out of the tub.

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Walk-In Shower

1. Walk to the lip of the shower, and turn so that you’re facing away from the shower stall.
2. Reach back with one hand for the back of the chair, leaving your other hand in the middle of the horizontal bar on the walker. (It’s a good idea to speak with your therapist about proper hand placement.)
3. Move your operated leg forward.
4. Sit down on the chair.
5. Lift your legs over lip of shower stall, and turn to sit facing the faucet.

Dressing

• Special adaptive equipment will be recommended to help you dress yourself (e.g., reacher, long-handled shoehorn, dressing sticks, elastic shoelaces, sock aid). Your occupational therapist will show you how to dress to protect your operated hip.
• Choose loose-fitting clothes. 
• Wear socks with low-heeled shoes, such as running shoes, which will give you firm support.
• Be sure to dress the operated leg first and to undress it last.