Abstract
During the period from October 1987 to March 1989, we provided home-visiting services for 337 disabled people in Yokohama. A total of 186(55%) of these subjects received services concerning bathing. This paper presents the results of analysis in terms of the way of bathing, the number and the type of attendants, remodeling of bathroom, and rehabilitation equipment for bathing in 92 cases.
Results are summarized as follows;
1) The most common type of service was the combination of partial remodeling of bathrooms and introduction of rehabilitation equipment. 2) We could not considerably reduce the number of attendants needed and improve the way of bathing. 3) With our guidance in the way of bathing such as holding rails and keeping a stable sitting position, we could reduce the amount of burden on the attendant and make bathing safer for the disabled. 4) For most cases, physical therapists or occupational therapists repeatedly showed the disabled and their attendants how to take a bath before and after refurnishing their bathrooms.
Remodeling of bathrooms were usually limited to be partial due to the environmental limitation, economic situation and the preference of family. From our experience, it seemed important to demonstrate the most appropriate way of bathing after refurnishing.
