Activities of daily living

Therapeutic Benefits Features and Benefits of the Wave Bathing System
A caregiver holds a shower want as she prepares to bath a young boy with special needs in the Rifton Wave adaptive bathing system.
For people with significant support needs, bathing is essential to health and hygiene. However, transfer difficulties and the lack of appropriate supportive equipment often make it one of the most difficult tasks for families and caregivers. If you care for someone who needs help with transfer and you don't have an accessible shower, your options for bathing aren't great – either bathroom...
Tips & Advice Hygiene, Health and the Rifton Wave August 01, 2017 by Lori Potts, PT
A young girl smiles happily while wearing her swimsuit as she reclines in the Rifton Wave bath chair.
When we make bathing easier, our clients are healthier. The new Rifton Wave, a thoroughly reimagined bath chair, improves the bathing and showering experience for both the client and the caregiver. Here’s a great resource on the features, benefits and medical necessity of the Rifton Wave- a bath chair that can restore the dignity and yes, even the pleasure in the bathing experience.
Tips & Advice Four Field-Tested Approaches For Toileting with the TRAM April 11, 2017 by Lori Potts, PT
A drawing showing a caregiver using the Rifton TRAM to help transfer a person with disabilities onto the toilet.
The Rifton TRAM is a remarkably simple solution for toilet transfers, ensuring safety and dignity for both clients and caregivers. Here are four approaches developed by clinicians in the field to accommodate different body types and impairments. Download the pdf Method 1 For client with good trunk tone and weak lower extremities View Slideshow   Method 2 For clients with moderate weight bearing...
PT/OT Toileting Initiative Produces Great Results March 20, 2017 by Ashley Rogers, DPT
toileting goals battle monument school
It all started when therapists from the three special day schools of Baltimore County Public Schools sat down to talk at one of our yearly meetings. The discussion turned from the mundane to the visionary, how to provide more functional, purposeful activities for our kiddos throughout the day. And, of all things, we talked about toileting. As a vital part of the student’s day, we wanted the toileting...
Tips & Advice Toileting Transfer Tips for Individuals with Muscular Dystrophy December 02, 2016 by Elena Noble, MPT
A person with muscular dystrophy shown supported by the Rifton TRAM during a toileting transfer even though they have low tone
Transferring someone with low tone and little or no weight bearing to and from the toilet is challenging. Along with a dependent lift, a therapist must guard against the individual slipping down or sagging during the seat-to-seat transfer in addition to managing clothing. Even with lifting devices it is difficult to execute a smooth, dignified, safe transfer with an individual unable to maintain any...
PT/OT The New Wave Bathing & Transfer System vs. Blue Wave Bath Chair November 08, 2016 by Gilbert Thomson, PT
Product photo of the Rifton adaptive bath chair the WAVE in the new color blue
What have we done to improve our old bath chair? Here are the key features that distinguish our new Wave Bathing & Transfer System: Larger and Wider The Wave bathing system still comes in three sizes, but there are some important differences. The seat on the small and medium is now wider--a full 15”--with open sides so the seat is comfortable for all sizes. And the large has a 17-1/2” seat...
PT/OT Rifton Wave Letter of Medical Necessity October 10, 2016 by Lori Potts, PT
A boy with special needs smiles in his Rifton Wave bath chair while a caregiver assists him
In response to requests from the field we’re happy to offer a sample letter of medical necessity for the newly up-graded and redesigned Rifton Wave, a bathing and transfer system. Good hygiene is paramount to good health, and this particular product has the solutions for bathing and showering as an activity of daily living. The Rifton Wave is a medical device, not intended as a self-help convenience...
Tips & Advice Step by Step Toileting with the TRAM October 05, 2016 by Lori Potts, PT
A therapist helps a student walk down the hall in a TRAM to the restroom for toilet transfers.
David Anderson is a senior physical therapist with the New York City public school system. His school obtained a Rifton TRAM to help with toileting a particular student. After some trials, he and the school OT determined the best methods for using the TRAM for this purpose and created a set of instructions for the paraprofessionals working with this student. David shared it with us and we found it so...
News Announcing the Rifton Wave September 19, 2016 by Sam Durgin
A young girl with special needs smiling in a pink bath chair while her caregiver helps her with this activity of daily living
Hygiene and health go together. When we make bathing easier we have healthier clients. So we’ve always been interested in how we can improve our bath chair, and we have been collecting product design ideas for a long time. We’re happy to announce the launch of our all-new Wave system, a thoroughly reimagined bath system to make bathing or showering better—for the client and for the...
Tips & Advice Toileting in Schools with the TRAM July 05, 2016 by David Zoller, PT
A physical therapist uses the Rifton TRAM for toilet transfers for a student
Using the Rifton TRAM for toileting can make a huge difference for both students and staff, providing both safety during transfers to the toilet and dignity and privacy for the student. Because students with disabilities have a wide range of needs, there are many ways to use the TRAM for this purpose. Here are some methods we’ve found here at Socorro,  presented as three case studies. (I&rsquo...
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