Lift transforms Emma’s life Soak in your own bathing haven
stress and makes it easier to get to sleep. A modern bath lift that uses a clever belt to lower you down into the water is an easy way to carry on enjoying bathing. Or if you are prepared to make bigger changes, a walk-in bath can provide you with a very comfortable soak that you can take sitting up. There is also the option of a walk-in shower with helpful safety features — another great way to transform the bathroom and boost bathing confidence. THERE’s nothing like a good soak in the bath — it can ease painful joints, improve your circulation and even help you sleep. But if you suffer from certain health conditions, such as arthritis, getting in and out of the bath can be a painful process. And that can be frustrating, as a relaxing bath can provide relief to aching joints, taking the pressure off them and reducing inflammation. The warmth of the water stimulates the flow of blood around your body. And it can also ease sore muscles, making movement easier. What’s more, the steam produced is an excellent remedy for blocked sinuses and a stuffy nose. And spending time in the bath relieves house. It is also great for transporting the washing and kids’ toys!’ Emma has launched a registered charity called Adult Cerebral Palsy Hub with her physio, Miriam Creeger, to raise awareness of adults with the condition, support research and lobby for much-needed services. EMMA Livingstone (above), 42, says her life has been transformed by a home lift. Hip problems linked to her cerebral palsy were making the stairs a huge challenge — meaning she had to stay on one level of her home all day until her husband returned from work. The lift has been installed in a space off the kitchen and plugs into a domestic power socket. It travels up on selfsupporting rails through a hole in the ceiling to a firstfloor landing area. With no hydraulics or loadbearing walls required, the lift could be installed in less than a day. Mum-of-three Emma says: ‘We had looked at moving to a bungalow, but it was never going to be easy to find a property for five. So in the end we decided to extend the house and install the lift, which has transformed my life. ‘It is not invasive, looks modern and provides me with access to the whole