Choosing Shower Chair - Shower Chair For Elderly

A shower chair is a mobility assisting toilet chair with wheels for individuals with limited mobility. These chairs for showers allow the users to access the toilet conveniently without the additional assistance of a caregiver. These bath chairs are designed in a way to protect the user from some common accidents and falls in the bathroom.

How does a Shower Chair work?

Shower wheelchairs (also known as bathroom chairs) are designed to facilitate hygiene procedures for users who find it difficult to make it to the bathroom. Shower chairs with an opening in the seat and incorporated with wheels are called commode wheelchairs. These mobile shower commodes allow users to toilet themselves while remaining seated in the wheelchair and make their hygiene procedure convenient and independent.

A shower chair or a shower seat is a seating aid exclusively fashioned for the elderly and those with limited mobility who cannot remain standing for long in the shower. These shower safety chairs are also helpful in minimizing the risk of falling or slipping in the shower. Medical shower chairs are often manufactured with plastic and non-rusting metal arms and legs, typically made of aluminum. Shower benches and chairs have four legs in all, with feet that feature rubber caps on each. The rubber caps prevent the chair from skidding in the tub, even when the surface gets wet and slippery. A user sits down in the chair and bathes either by themselves or with the help of a caretaker. For better safety and comfort, one may also use a tub transfer bench with shower chairs for seniors. 

Who should use a Shower Chair?

• Elderly and senior citizens with mobility issues
• Infirm individuals
• Spinal Chord Injury patients or people suffering from arthritis, joint pains
• Patients who have undergone a medical surgery
• Temporarily injured individuals

Are Shower Chairs safe?

Yes, apparently shower seats are very safe to use. However, one must keep certain things in mind while using a standard shower chair. To be able to use a commode wheelchair properly you need to have-

• Bathroom Space: Having enough space in your bathroom for the correct movement of a commode chair with wheels is essential. If your bathroom is a small space, you can opt for a rather small chair. A shower chair for a small shower offers liberty to the user to move around freely and have a relaxing and hassle-free bath. 
• Bathroom Safety: The floor should support the wheel movements and you will want to make sure to keep your bathroom clean and set it up according to the user’s convenience.
• Assistance: You must keep in mind that before the user gets used to operating the bathing chair, you must provide them assistance to avoid accidents.
• Cleanliness: Keep your bathroom clean and dry to avoid accidental falls or infection-related issues.

What are the features of a Rolling Shower Chair?

• Front casters that swivel in all directions
• Drop-down, flip-back, or removable arm-rests
• Comfortable seat (padded or cushioned)
• Attached removable-toilet container 
• Anti-slip handgrip for the comfort of a caregiver who is operating the shower wheelchair
• Rust-free components that can be easily cleaned for hygiene
• Light-weight and durable 
• Foldable to save the place and avoid storage issues

How do you choose a Shower Chair?

When looking for the right commode wheelchair, you need to keep an eye open for the ones that have the features you feel are necessary for you.

• Purpose and need to buy: To decide the best shower commode for yourself you must know your purpose to understand the requirement. For e.g. If you are buying it for traveling then it must be portable and easily foldable, or if you have arthritic joints and arms then you need a commode wheelchair that offers support in getting on and off of it. 
• Skin and body type: If your skin is prone to allergies and bedsores then you are advised to go for shower commodes with the padded toilet seat. The body type of a user is an important factor to be considered here. Bariatric users will need a high-density toilet seat to comfortably use the commode chair.
• Medical condition: People suffering from back pain, cervical issues, SI joints, spinal injuries, etc., need an adjustable foot, head, and backrests with padded seating.
• Easily assembled or dissembled: If you are buying a commode wheelchair that can be dissembled for portability then the assembly and disassembly both must be easy and convenient.
• Caregiver: Some shower wheelchairs need to be operated with the help of a caregiver, you need to buy such commode chairs if you have an additional assistance facility available.

Before buying a bath chair, consider features such as -

1. Materials

Obviously, the shower seats will be used in the shower or bathtub. Therefore, it is especially important to pay heed to the material the chair is made of. Such a chair must be made with materials that can withstand constant exposure to water. Most chairs are made of plastic, but the most sturdy option is a chair with a seat made of plastic and aluminum or steel legs. These seats should have rust-resistant materials such as plastic, aluminum, or steel. 

2. Adjustable Height

Most shower chairs come with height-adjustable legs that allow adjustment of the seat to a comfortable level.

3. Weight Capacity

The shower seat must support user weight safely. Normally, shower chairs for the elderly support 250 pounds to 400 pounds. However, the actual weight capacity of the chair largely depends on the chair model. For more support, the user should go for a bariatric shower chair.

4. Size of the seat

Seat dimensions are one of the most important features to look for in a shower chair. The seat should be a little wider than your butt for comfortable seating. The wider the seat, the better. To find suitable dimensions, measure the width of your backside while sitting on a flat surface.

5. Seat Material

Shower chairs come in a variety of seat materials. Some chairs are padded while some are not. Padded seats provide the user with additional comfort if you like long showers, have a thin or bony body frame, or have delicate skin. These chairs are slightly more expensive than the unpadded bath chairs.

6. Back and Armrest

A shower chair with arms and backrest can help the user lower themself onto and stand up from the seat easily. Chairs with back and armrest can enable move in and out of the tub and sit on the chair with no chance of falling down. However, if the user is habitual of sitting on the chair from the side of the tub wall, a chair without armrests can be a better option.

7. Shower chair with back support

A shower seat comes with two options - a seat with back support and without a backrest. A shower bath chair with back support is highly recommended for back strength issues or balance concerns. Back support chairs may create a tad bit of inconvenience while transferring the user into and out of the tub. However, these chairs ensure additional stability and patient safety to the fullest.

8. Feet Type

Since the shower chairs are on a wet surface, most chairs feature slip-resistant rubber feet to keep the seat stable when the user sits down. Interestingly, padded tips chairs also have "non-slip" options for better safety. People with balance issues often go for suction cup feet for maximum stability. Suction cups secure the bench to the tub and floor and eliminate the risk of bathroom slips.

What does a user need is best known to themselves. Whether you go for a shower bench with suction cups or padded tips is a matter of preference.

9. Chair Style

10. Swivel or Sliding Chairs

Some shower chairs come with a seat that swivels or slides, making getting in and out of the tub easier. If you opt for a sliding or swivel shower chair, you might want to look for a chair with a locking mechanism to keep the seat in place while you bathe.

Different types of shower commode wheelchairs

HPFY offers a wide range of shower wheelchairs in several sizes and styles which you can buy according to your use and purpose. Let’s have a look at what type of shower commode wheelchairs you can get with HPFY-

1. Rehab Shower Commode Wheelchair

Rehab Shower Commode Chair is an adaptable wheelchair that can be beneficial for both patients and caregivers. Rehabilitation commode chairs with wheels are used to assist the elderly and patients suffering from SCI (Spinal Cord Injuries), SI joint, osteoporosis, arthritis, surgeries, or other injuries that occur due to trauma fall, or motor vehicle accident, etc. These adjustable and transportable commode wheelchairs are helpful to manage the everyday activities of patients with these injuries and make it easy for caregivers also to assist their dear ones and provide the best care with ease and convenience.

Features of a good Rehabilitation Shower Commode Chair

• Can be easily positioned over the commode 
• Can be used as a standalone commode
• Compact and easily transportable
• Rehab shower commode wheelchair must be adjustable in terms of arm-rest foot-rests, and height of the chair

Healthline Ezee Life Rehab Shower Commode Chair - 18-Inch 4-Way Seat

Healthline Ezee Life Rehab Shower Commode Chair - 20 Inch Seat

Healthline Ezee Life Rehab Shower Commode Chair - 15 Inch Seat

2. Bariatric Shower Commode Wheelchair

A Bariatric showerchair is designed to accommodate plus-size individuals and can be used for the dual purpose of bathing and toileting. Bariatric shower seats are constructed with heavy-duty material and thus are considered the best shower chair for obese persons.

Features of Bariatric Bath Shower Chair

• Wide and comfortable seat
• Anti-slip handgrips
• Reclines and adjustable foot-rest
• Foldaway push poles
• Anti-tipping design

Healthline Bariatric Shower Commode Chair With 500 lb Capacity

MJM International Bariatric Shower Commode Chair

Columbia PVC Hi-Back Bariatric Shower and Commode Chair

3. Reclining Shower Commode Chair

Reclining Shower Safety Chairs provide better positioning and comfort to the users who cannot sit properly and to larger-sized individuals. Reclining bathroom shower stools with wheels are durable and adjustable to support the whole body of the user. The users can easily tilt the reclining commode chair to their comfortable position.

Features of Reclining Shower Seat

• Perfect shower chair with arms and backrest
• Facilitates different reclining positions
• Shower seat is wide and comfortable
• Padded headrest to position the head comfortably
• Easy to clean and disinfect

Duralife Deluxe Reclining Shower And Commode Chair

Healthline Reclining Shower Commode Chair

Columbia Omni Reclining Bath Shower And Commode Transfer System

4. Shower Commode Chair with Infection Control

Shower commode wheelchairs are designed with an efficient infection control system. When the shower chair is put up for use in the water dealing with toileting and bathing on a daily basis, the material should be easy-to-clean. Hygiene is very important to avoid allergies, bedsores, bacterial infections, and other skin-related problems.  

Features of Bathroom Chair for Shower with infection control

• Easily removable components to maximize cleaning and disinfecting
• Infection control design
• User-friendly commode containers and removable lid
• Lightweight material 
• No complicated fittings or connectors

Mor-Medical Echo New Era Infection Control Shower Commode Chair

Mor-Medical Deluxe New Era Infection Control Shower Commode Chair

5. Pediatric Commode Shower Wheelchair

Pediatric Commode Shower Wheelchairs are ideal for kids with mobility issues or small adults. The pediatric medical bathtub chair is designed as per the comfort, safety, and security of children. It features durable casters for extra flexibility and interlocking seat support for safety.

Features of Pediatric Showerchair

• Anti-slip handgrip
• Elevated leg extensions
• Dual drop arm secured with safety straps
• Easy-to-operate wheelchair system

Duralife Deluxe Pediatric Shower And Commode Chair

Healthline Pediatric Shower Commode Chair With 15-Inch Width

MJM International Pediatric Tilt N Space Shower And Commode Chair

What can you use instead of a shower chair?

A bath lift is an effective alternative for a shower chair. Bath safety lifts are battery-operated lifts that look like a chair and lower down to the bottom of the bathtub just by a button press. Many bath lifts recline automatically, and most have flexible suction feet for secure anchoring. HPFY offers an affordable and exclusive collection of bath lifts, you can explore and find the best pick. Hurry now!

Where to buy Shower Chairs?

Health Products For You carries some of the best and top-selling shower chairs for the elderly and children from renowned brands and manufacturers. Our aim is to offer patients and the elderly with immobility the ability to perform their routine activities with ease and independence. We are constantly thriving to make assistive devices such as rolling bath chairs or shower chairs and accessories, easily accessible to our users. 

We also offer wheelchair cushions with plenty of cushion options to enhance your comfort. Explore our collection of affordable and durable grab bars, safety rails, bidets, transfer benches, shower aids, commode aids, shower beds and gurneys, bath lifts, and much more. Order today and get amazing discounts on all your medical supplies. 

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