Hand-held Shower
Although the hand-held shower may seem to be a small, less significant accessory item compared to some of the other bath aid products, it is an important part of the self-care package. It is an essential item for users of bath seats and transfer benches.
Good quality hand showers have two common features. First, they have on/off controls built into the handle. This allows the user to turn the water off and on as needed without having to readjust water temperature each time. Second, they all have hoses of sufficient length to permit the user, seated on a bath seat or in the tub, to easily reach every part of the body with the shower spray.
The on/off control varies from one model shower to another, and care should be exercised to select an appropriate model that is compatible with your hand function and finger dexterity. A control that is appropriate for a severe arthritic may not be functional for a quadriplegic.
A hose length of 5 1/2 to 6 feet is usually sufficient for most users.
Optional features, such as pulsating massage showers, are primarily a matter of personal taste and are fine as long as they do not interfere with any of the more essential features.
Most hand-held showers are provided with one or more wall-mounting brackets for storage, or to permit use of the shower in a normal wall-mounted position.
