Shower Chairs and Bath Seats: A Buying Guide

What is a Shower Chair?

A shower chair is made for bathtubs or showers. It should be rust-resistant and sturdy. Bath chairs are designed for use by people who can not stand while they shower. They also help people avoid sitting in the bottom of the bathtub where they can easily slip trying to stand or caretakers can strain their backs lifting the person out of the tub. Shower chairs help people independently bathe and care for themselves while lowering the risk of accidental injury from painful falls. They are also called, tub seats, shower seats, shower benches, and bath seats all depending on the exact style. A shower chair is different from a transfer bench but transfer benches can be used in the shower to help those who go from wheelchair to bathtub.

Which Shower Chair Style is right for you?

A shower chair without arms or a back is great for someone who has good back strength as well as strong balancing ability while sitting. It helps conserve energy while showering since they keep you from having to stand in the shower however they don't offer a lot of support. This is a seat for anyone who would like to sit comfortably while enjoying their shower or bath. This style of shower chair is nice for personal grooming as well since it is much more comfortable to use instead of sitting on the edge of the tub while shaving. Make sure the surface of the backless shower chair you choose is like this one and comes with a non-slip seat surface. Another important feature is the holes in the seat. Those holes stop water from pooling up which can make the seat slick and cause falls. When your chair doesn't have arms or a back it needs to be secure and slip proof. The carved out handles can also help you stand and sit down safely.

A shower chair with a full back is great for people who do not have a lot of back strength and need to lean against the back of the chair. It can be easier to balance when you have the support of a chair back. A padded chair can be more comfortable than a hard plastic seat. This is especially important for people who are dealing with skin breakdown. If skin breakdown is a huge concern, I would recommend an additional cushion for bath time. ROHO Air Cushions can be used in the shower and are a great solution for pressure sores. A chair like the one pictured here is adjustable. It can be used with the arms on or off. If you have poor sitting ability, difficulty balancing, or need the arm support when standing, a shower chair with arms is the better choice for you.
 

A shower chair with a full back, arms, and wheels like the Invacare Mariner Rehab Shower Chair is meant for people who have limited dexterity and mobility. If it is difficult for you to stand up or sit down, this wheeled style of shower chair can be very helpful. This style of shower chair requires a shower that accommodates a chair being rolled inside. Always take careful measurements before assembling the product. Wheeled shower chairs come with several useful options. First, you can choose different kinds of wheels. The back wheel is either a caster wheel or a large wheelchair style wheel. The caster wheel is best for people who will not be pushing themselves. If you have a caregiver who will be helping you then a caster wheel can save space and help this chair work with a wider numbers of showers. If you will need to push yourself, then you will want the larger wheelchair style wheel so you are able to smoothly navigate to the bathroom and inside the shower without having to push against walls or try to scoot along with your feet.

The best way to choose a shower chair or bath seat is to take your time and research the products you are considering. Do they get good reviews? Will the chair physically fit into the shower or bathtub you will be using? Whenever you are shopping at an online medical supply store always feel free to contact their customer service team if you have any questions. I am sure they would be glad to point you in the right direction and help answer your questions.