12 August 2015
 Categories: , Blog

If your loved one has systemic lupus, they experience a number of symptoms that make showering or using the bathroom difficult. The symptoms usually cause pain and inflammation in your loved one's joints and muscles. Installing the right grab bars in your family member's bathroom makes it easier for them to enter, exit, stand, and sit when they need to shower, use the toilet or brush their teeth. Here are features to look for in the grab bars.

Curved or Angled Handles

Depending on the severity of your family member's lupus, they may have problems holding on to things with small, thin or straight handles. If this is the case, order grab bars with curved or angled handles. Curved bars feature rounded ends that fit securely inside the anchoring portion of the handles. If your loved one has problems standing up from the toilet or bathtub, they can grab onto the curved ends without injuring their fingers or hands and pull themselves up. 

Angled handles benefit your loved one if they have problems pulling their bodies in the upright position after sitting. The angles are made in different places on the bars, which gives your loved one time to rest or pause for a moment before pulling their bodies into a full standing position. Lupus can increase muscle and joint fatigue in most individuals. 

Also, choose grab bars with widely-placed grips. Wider grips prevent pain in the palms of the hands, as well as giving your loved one enough room to place their fingers without overlapping them. If your family member has arthritis pain in the hands from their lupus, this feature comes in handy.

You can order the grab bars with both features for the best results. If the contractor doesn't have the bars on hand, they'll custom make them for you.

Antibacterial or Antimicrobial Coating 

One of the biggest problems with systemic lupus is infection. Your loved one may experience bacterial infections in the lungs, skin and other organs periodically. Grab bars with an antibacterial or antimicrobial coating reduces the spread of infection in your loved one's body. 

The special coatings are made of zeolite, which is a combination of silver and copper. Both elements attack microbes before they spread or develop out of control. The special coating is not poisonous or toxic to the skin. 

If you need more assistance choosing the right grab bars for your loved one, contact your remodeling contractor today.