New accessory to make showering more accessible and safer for users with restricted mobility
A patented showering accessory designed to make showering more accessible and safer for individuals with restricted mobility has been launched in the UK.
ShowerSpaah is designed to help individuals who can only use one hand or have any other physical disabilities preventing them from having a safe, independent shower experience.
The simple–to-install device can be easily attached to most hand-held showers. Soap is added to the water, and it can be turned on or off to rinse. The one handed operation means the showerer can keep one hand free for balance at all times to reduce slips and falls. 
There are no more awkward bottles to deal with and the soap easily reaches all parts of the body without difficulty reaching. ShowerSpaah can be installed in under two minutes, significantly reducing the showering effort, without sacrificing style or comfort.
Alan Somerfield, who developed and launched ShowerSpaah after 35 years of designing products for various companies, commented: “ShowerSpaah was developed in response to the UK’s social care crisis.
“It aims to restore dignity and enable individuals to live independently in their own homes, with the bathroom being a crucial area where they may require assistance.”
By simplifying one of the most fundamental daily routines, the accessory enhances the overall quality of life for its users and eliminates the physical strain associated with showering.
ShowerSpaah demonstrates the importance of inclusive design in fostering dignity and independence.
The UK Government pays for over 50,000 bathrooms to be adapted annually, through the Disabled Facilities Grant. Additionally, more than 300,000 bathrooms are adapted with personal funding.
Data from the UK reveals a significant unmet need for tools and care for people with disabilities. In 2023, Age UK reported that approximately 1.6 million people aged 65 and older had unmet needs for care and support.
Additionally, the Ministry of Housing disclosed that around 1.9 million households in England had one or more individuals with a health condition requiring home adaptations.
In 2023, Foundations UK, the national body for home improvement agencies in England, launched Home Modifications International, to drive meaningful change globally in the field of adaptations to ensure disabled people can live independently in their own homes.
