Usage and Effectiveness of Rails, Bathing and Toileting Aids

There is a lack of systematic follow-up on the usage or effectiveness of rails and aids to elderly persons or persons with disability. One hundred and forty-four persons, mostly elderly, responded to a mailed questionnaire. Factors associated with usage and non-usage of commonly used bathing and toileting aids and rails, and rails used for access to and from the home were investigated, including reasons for non-usage, equipment acceptance, perceived benefit, ergonomic factors and equipment reliability. The questionnaire was shown to have high internal consistency. Usage rates were high, 86% for rails and 76% for aids. Non-usage was largely attributed to change in functional status. There were also some specific areas of dissatisfaction indicated, including issues of aid prescription, methods of assessing rail placement, and design of equipment.