Washing
Contents
- help with washing
- find local help with washing and daily tasks
- find equipment to help at home
- making your bathroom safer and easier to use
Need help with washing or using the bathroom at home?
You can get support through homecare services, local organisations, bathroom adaptations and simple equipment. This page explains how to find the right help for your needs and stay independent at home.
Help with washing
If washing or doing daily tasks is getting difficult, support is available. It can help you stay independent at home.
Homecare services, also called personal care or domiciliary care, can help with with washing. They can also help with other things like:
- preparing meals and drinks
- using the toilet
- getting in and out of bed
Homecare is flexible. You can get help for a few hours a week or more often, depending on your needs.
It can be short-term (after illness or injury) or long-term. You might need a live-in carer, especially if you need specialist support like stroke or dementia care.
Find equipment to help you wash at home
You can also buy simple equipment to help you wash and stay independent at home.
Use the home equipment finder to find helpful products based on your needs.
You can:
- search by room - like bathroom or bedroom
- choose your needs - like falls and mobility, or dementia and memory loss
- search by product type - like bathing and hygiene, or household appliances
Making your bathroom safer and easier to use
If your bathroom is hard to use, there are tools and changes that can help. These can make washing and moving around easier and safer.
Simple adaptations
Some changes are simple, like adding:
Your local council may offer help through handyperson schemes. Some works may be free, especially those that prevent falls.
Major adaptations
Major changes to your home can be more complicated. They might affect how your home is built. For example, you might need to put in a wet room, or widen the doorway so you can use a wheelchair.
You may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant.
See Major adaptations to your home