8 Essentials for Bathing Your Parent

Having these items on hand will make bathtime safer and easier:

A rubber shower or bath hose

Available at medical supply stores and some drugstores, these simple hoses attach to the tub faucet or showerhead, giving you greater reach and control over the direction and intensity of the spray.

A slip-proof shower or tub chair

These amazingly stable waterproof chairs -- available at medical supply stores -- are secure on wet surfaces and can safely hold several hundred pounds.

A plastic bath tote with a handle

Store bathtime supplies in an easy-to-tote plastic container, sold at drugstores and household goods stores. Look for a handle for easy carrying, and sides that allow water to drain.

A rubber nonslip mat for the bottom of the tub or shower

This is your basic, no-frills bathtub mat with a suction-cup bottom, sold in drugstores and household goods stores.