Could your bathroom benefit from a shower chair? They are often used by people with restricted mobility, but they can help others, as well. In fact, shower seats are beneficial for anyone who struggles with standing in the shower, whether because of pain or weakness in the legs or back, balance problems or dizziness, or breathlessness because of a lung or heart condition. Having a shower chair can provide a safe place for people to shower independently, free from the risk of slips and falls. Shower chairs come in various styles, and can be installed or freestanding. How do you choose the one that will best meet your needs?
Choosing Between Accessible Bathroom Seating Solutions
Whether you want a built-in or freestanding shower chair depends largely on your particular priorities. Do you want the seamless look of an integrated shower chair, even if it requires a larger investment, or is a temporary solution enough to meet your needs? While a built-in shower chair offers more stability, a freestanding one is a more flexible option because it can be moved or adjusted as needed. Think about the reasons you need a shower chair, and this will inform your decision. When choosing between freestanding or installed, and all the various styles of each, make sure that the chair you choose is easy to clean and maintain, has the capacity to meet your needs, is comfortable, and is sturdy enough not to slip or break in the shower.
Finding the Best Shower Chairs for Elderly Users
If you are shopping for a shower chair for a senior, there are a few factors to consider. Weight capacity, adjustable height options, safety, stability, and comfort should all come into play. For a person who is heavier or needs extra support because of mobility challenges or recent surgery, a chair with a higher weight capacity may be a better option. Adjustable height makes it easier to customise a chair to the unique individual, and it helps prevent slips and falls for people who have trouble moving between sitting and standing. Comfort and ergonomics are essential for older people, so look for padded armrests and backrests, appropriately angled, and adjustable height for easier transfer.
- A built-in, wall-mounted shower seat is the sturdiest option. Wall-mounted seats can come in various configurations, with or without armrests, with or without backrests, and in different seating styles. However, for those who prefer an adjustable seat, who don’t have the budget for a professionally installed seat, or who are sharing a bathroom and prefer a shower chair that is removable, there are still good, safe, stable options.
- Shower benches and chairs can be good, stable choices for heavier users. These can be wall-mounted or freestanding. Benches have a wide surface, though rarely a backrest or armrest. Shower chairs have high support, and include a backrest and typically armrests. These options take up more space than shower stools, but offer more stability. Some models can be folded and put away when not in use.
- Shower stools are good for providing basic support for smaller people with good balance. They are extremely convenient for a shared bathroom, as they are lightweight, compact, and easy to relocate. They are not the best option, however, for someone who needs a high level of stability and support.
Choosing Between Shower Chairs for Disabled Users
When you are shopping for someone with a disability, that person’s unique needs should determine the type of chair. It is best to avoid shower stools and backless chairs, or small shower chairs. Wall mounted chairs can be ideal for disabled people, because they are sturdiest and won’t slip out from under the user. However, there are some freestanding options that are especially designed for disabled users.
- Horseshoe shower seats: These have an open front, so that the individual or that person’s carer can more easily perform personal hygiene tasks. They are good for people with mobility issues and people who require extra support.
- Wheeled shower seats: These are something like wheelchairs, some that look more like self-propelled models while others are meant to be pushed by a caregiver. Sometimes they have features like a commode pan, or a cut-out that allows them to be rolled over a conventional toilet. These are very sturdy chairs, because they are made with no welded seams or holes, making them easier to clean.
Adjustable Shower Chairs for Changing Needs
There are shower chairs with adjustable height, as mentioned, which can allow you to adjust it to fit the user’s size. This can also be beneficial when there is more than one user. There are other ways in which shower chairs can be adjustable, and this can help if the person’s needs change, as with a temporary situation like recovery from illness or injury. Some have backrests are arm rests that are removable, adjustable footrests, and other thoughtful touches that make bathing easier for someone with mobility issues.
Trust Bathing Mobility Advisory Service for Custom Accessibility Bathrooms
No matter what the need may be, Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, we have a wide range of options available to help you create an accessible bathroom that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. We are specialists in bathroom design and installation, and BMAS still operates from the family values and service on which our company was built. We will work with you to create a bathroom design that suits you, and most bathrooms are completed within a working week. From design to completion, BMAS is with you every step of the way, and we will only sign off on a project when both you and the installation manager are pleased with the results. We hold ourselves to a high standard, and are proud of the work we do, providing quality workmanship backed by dedicated service . Visit one of our showrooms to learn more, or contact us for a free home visit and no-obligation quote.