Turtle Bath Support
At Wealden Rehab, we pride ourselves on being bathing and hygiene care equipment specialists who work closely with Occupational Therapists (OTs), families, and carers to deliver truly person-centred care equipment solutions. This case study highlights how our adaptive bathing products can be tailored to meet complex postural and sensory needs, promoting comfort, safety, and dignity for every user.
The user is a young person with a severe learning disability, autism, and epilepsy. He is non-verbal, communicating distress primarily through leg shaking and facial expressions. Due to his physical and medical needs, he is hoist-dependent for all transfers and requires full support with personal care. He also has spinal rods in situ, fragile skin integrity, and heightened sensory sensitivities to pressure and texture, all of which make bathing a particularly delicate and important part of his daily routine.
Previously, he had been successfully using a Turtle Bather, however, in recent months, his family and care team noticed growing signs of distress during bathing. He began refusing to rest his head and showed increased agitation, such as pronounced leg shaking.
To comfort him, his mother began holding him on her lap in the bath, supported by two carers. While this approach seemed to provide reassurance, it presented significant manual handling risks, reduced dignity, and was unsustainable for his mother’s physical health.
Collaborative Assessment and Fitting
Following a joint review, the OT and Wealden Rehab’s Product Advisor, Adam Webb identified the Turtle Cushion Overlay as a potential solution. This accessory could integrate seamlessly with the existing Turtle Bather, offering additional sensory comfort and pressure redistribution.
A joint visit was arranged involving the OT, Wealden Rehab’s product representative, and the family. Together, they carefully assessed the user’s response to the Turtle Cushion Overlay in real time. The Turtle Cushion Overlay is designed to be soft, mouldable, and pressure-relieving, making it ideal for users with heightened sensory sensitivity or fragile skin. Its gentle textures and adaptive properties help promote relaxation, comfort, and security throughout the bathing process.
The difference was immediate and meaningful. During the trial, the user displayed no signs of distress — his leg shaking subsided, facial tension eased, and he appeared visibly calmer and more at ease. The Turtle Cushion Overlay provided a soft, enveloping sensation that offered the same sense of security and reassurance he previously sought from being held.
Conclusion
The Client can now engage in bathing, a meaningful and therapeutic daily activity, in a safe, dignified, and sensory-appropriate way. The adaptation promotes long-term sustainability of care, enhances wellbeing for both the user and his family, and reflects Wealden Rehab’s commitment to person-centred, collaborative problem-solving.