Which Shower Seat is Best for Elderly People?

Posted by Safety Bath Walk in Tubs on September 2nd, 2017

Helping elderly loved ones maintain their safety and independence at home is one of the greatest gifts friends and family can provide. Fortunately, there are some excellent aids that can help make the job easier. Showers seats, for example, provide a way to make bathing less of a concern. Picking out the right one to suit an elderly person’s needs does take a little forethought though.

Shower seats are designed to tackle some of the more common safety and access-related issues in the bathroom. Since this room is one of the most dangerous in any home, addressing issues here can go a long way toward helping elderly people remain safe in their own surroundings. Shower seats generally serve a few main purposes:

• Enabling easier bathing – People who cannot stand for long periods of time to shower, for example, may find special seating quite helpful. These seats can also help those who are worried about slipping on slick bathroom floors. In addition to providing a stable place to sit for the duration of a shower or bath, they can serve to steady people who can and do wish to stand, but fear balance-related issues.

• Enabling easier access – Shower seats that are installed in shower/bathtub combinations may also provide elderly loved one’s easier access to the tub. When bench seating is installed, elderly people can simply sit on the seat and slide over the tub’s wall to enter. This can be a huge benefit for loved ones who cannot manage a traditional tub’s 20-inch step over any longer.

Selecting the right shower seat to help an elderly loved one enjoy greater access and safety simply requires accessing their mobility status and the bathroom where it will be installed. Considering these things may also help:

• The fixture in which the seat will be placed – Standalone shower seats with suctioning on the feet can be beneficial in stalls and may also prove useful in bathtub/shower combinations when the elderly person isn’t the only one who will use the fixture. These seats can be placed inside and taken out with a fair amount of ease.

• The need for fast access – If a more permanent solution is required that still allows other people full use of a tub, a custom shower seat might serve best. This type of bench seat is permanently installed, but folks up neatly against the wall when not in use.

• The need for other safety enhancements – If a shower seat alone won’t provide the accessibility and safety required, more holistic solutions might be desirable. Walk-in bathtubs, for example, generally provide built-in seating. Barrier-free showers can also be equipped with seating.

Finding the right shower seat for an elderly person can provide a safer, more enjoyable experience. When there is a need to make accessibility greater while reducing common bathrooms hazards, these upgrades can make a world of difference.

About the Author:
Safety Bath Walk in Tubs has been manufacturing tubs since 1992. Our tubs are made with the highest quality materials, from one-piece Fiberglass backed acrylic to aluminum door systems with auto locks. We have Walk in Tubs to fit all applications and it is our duty to ensure that we fit the right tub to the individual clients needs without any high pressure or intrusive sales people.

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Safety Bath Walk in Tubs
Joined: April 3rd, 2017
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