Can metal grab handles be added to an enamel bath?

[Aridane]

Hi - wonder if anyone knows the answer (a quick google search didn’t help)?

I have an enamel bath. When my mother stays, she has difficulty getting in and out of the bath. We tried those suction grab handles and they were not particularly secure .

So I was wondering whether a handyman could attach those metal grab handles onto the bath? Or is it something where if you want the metal grab handles on your bath that they need to be there when you buy the bath in the first place?

Thanks!

I guess you possibly could in theory... Main things I can think of would be problems drilling the enamel as this could chip/crack it, though this would probably be covered by the handle surrounds. Other problem would be getting a decent seal around it to stop water getting through. Would also likely need access to the back/underside of the bath as would need to secure bolts to hold the handles. This could be tricky if next to a wall.

Would it not be possible to fit handles to any walls around the bath instead?

That’s a good idea (walls) but I don’t think my mother will be able to lever herself out of the bath

It’s sad when a paret’s increasing infirmity means that day to day routine things like bath are starting to become increasingly difficult/ unachievable

flat - forgot to say thank you for your reply!

I don't think you can add handles after manufacture. Also, I don't think they are at the right height or angle for good leverage. You probably need a wall fixed bar drilled through the tiles. My mother only takes showers due to her fear of being trapped in the bath!

Not necessarily this one but what about something like this?

www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/bath-grab-rails/deluxe-bath-grab-bar-view-large?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_4jgBRDhARIsADezXchFFU70Dcg7DYszzTubu25gluv8C4p5SwiCSUr5K-E6UYFts6LnIYAaAshxEALw_wcB

Actually it's in Argos but dearer price but you can read the reviews

www.argos.co.uk/product/6077817?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:480-316-7430%7Ccid:344448993%7Cagid:27301660713%7Ctid:aud-180466976965:pla-278745690719%7Ccrid:86693138193%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:17203935128437466960%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o10%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9045406&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_4jgBRDhARIsADezXcgSzyTC50c_LIQiFcL-bRcj5ogUMGic29IojImIQlvSizwVpdhYP64aAhuAEALw_wcB

Not cheap, but would an inflatable bath lift be helpful in the future?

Review of them here, but you may be able to find cheaper: www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/personal%20care/inflatable-bath-lifts-321-p/

TroyKing's grab rail looks like the business for her current level of assistance.

The integral grab rails are not in the right place anyway.
The one linked to above is better but they do move/slide sometimes. A better one is the same design but screws to the floor but you may not want to do that. A grab rail screwed into the wall in the other side would help too but it depends if you want permanent grab rails

Your other option is to get a small bath seat just about 6". She might be able to lift to sit in it then stand from that. Much easier than getting up from the bottom
There is also a rail that fits to the taps and provides a bar in front of them. That is easy to put on and take off

www.aids4mobility.co.uk/bath-tap-rail-bf006-drive?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_4jgBRDhARIsADezXcjYbYqAFa6kr0xlpuA-UjDyhFs7ahwgZt2GQb9bTHuuqvLduqQTk3IaAitvEALw_wcB

The taps bar works well in conjunction with the seat

Like this but lower. She would use the bar to lift onto the seat then stand from that
Or just use the seat to wash from, it depends on if she wants to just wash or wants to lie back and relax

www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/bath-seats/slatted-bath-seat-view-large?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_4jgBRDhARIsADezXciIh7CCKAx1LBLp0V0h308tIHYnaa0s6BIhznFifsH3-mc8vPt0GZAaAgEHEALw_wcB

Thank you.

Mixed reviews, troy, on the one you linked - but looks more secure than the suction ones (which to be honest were a bit of a disaster).

I suppose a (permanent) drilled in grab rail on the wall isn’t that unsightly - but by itself, without something also attached to the floor, as bubonic suggests, it might be insufficient.

I think I will have to evaluate next time mother comes to stay. (I had been hoping to surprise her with hand rails etc when she comes up at Christmas).

Last time she had a bath at mine, she got in with some difficulty - assisted - but just could not get out. In the end had to be sort of hauled out

(Just catching up on the other posts!)

The one that goes over the taps looks interesting!

Hmm - tap ones not designed to bear full weight, just to assist.

Grab rails to be attached to wall apparently fall into two categories - those that just help with balance and those designed to bear full weight. But that latter is dependent also on the type of wall...