How Can a Shower Chair Improve Safety for Seniors?
As we age, our ability to balance our bodies slowly diminishes. This renders us more prone to falling and getting injured. The risk further elevates in wet environments where the risk of slipping is significantly higher. Most elderly who visit hospitals for the treatment of wounds sustained from falling report getting injured in bathrooms. Therefore, using bathroom safety products becomes essential as these can prevent such incidents. One of these safety tools is a shower chair which provides support to the elderly while bathing.
The use of a shower chair for bathing tends to prevent falls
In this article, let us dive into the importance of a shower chair in enhancing the safety of seniors while bathing.
What is a Shower Chair?
A shower chair, also called a bath chair, is a seat used for bathing. It is like a regular plastic chair in construction and is often made up of plastic, aluminum, or both. These shower chairs are affixed with non-slip rubber feet which strongly grip the flooring so that the chair does not move from its place while usage. A shower chair is ideal for those who have mobility issues due to old age or some disease condition.
Shower Chair and Improved User Safety
Investing in a shower chair now can save you much as it can significantly prevent fall injuries. These bathroom safety products improve the user’s safety in the following ways:
Lowered Fall Risk
Slipping in the bathroom while taking a shower is one of the most common reasons for getting injured for the elderly. These injuries impact the body in different ways and affect bones, joints, as well as muscles.
With the use of a shower chair, the risk of falling can be significantly lowered. The person remains seated in one place during bathing and that’s why the risk of slipping is reduced.
Enhanced User Comfort
With the use of a shower chair, the user is restricted to one place and does not have to move during bathing. This makes the whole showering experience comfortable and convenient for the patient.
Improved Personal Hygiene
People with limited mobility often need a caregiver to give them a bath. This practice makes it difficult to ensure personal hygiene as the experience is usually uncomfortable for both the patient and the caregiver.
However, in the case of using a shower chair, the patient can be seated near the shower with soap and other cleaning products in their access. There is no need for the caregiver to be around while the patient takes a bath. This gives the user privacy and independence which positively impacts their dignity.
Lessened Chances of Muscle Strain Injuries
When a person uses a shower chair, they don’t have to keep moving and stretching in order to grab things or to wash themselves. This way, unnecessary overstretching and muscle pulling are avoided which effectively reduces the risk of muscle strain injuries.
A shower chair is also useful for people with specific needs due to impaired mobility
How to Choose the Best Shower Chair?
While buying a shower chair, you should keep in mind the following necessary features:
1. Height
The height of a shower chair should be according to the patient’s needs. Some people are shorter in height while others have a stronger build. Therefore, the same shower chair does not work for both. Look for an option that has an adjustable height option. This way, people with varying heights and body sizes can be accommodated.
2. Size
Size is another essential feature to look for while buying a shower chair. People who are obese cannot fit comfortably on a smaller shower chair with a smaller width. Therefore, this factor needs to be considered before making a purchase. You can look into the dimensions of shower chairs where height and width are usually mentioned separately.
3. Construction Material
Along with height and size, the construction material of the shower chairs is an important factor as well. Most shower chairs are made up of plastic and aluminum, both of which are reliable and strong materials.
Moreover, the heavy-duty molded plastic used for the construction of these chairs is also water-resistant and does not damage with frequent use in water. In addition, the durability of the product is such that it can be used for many years once purchased.
Non-slip shower chairs and bath benches protect the elderly from falling during bathing
4. Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of a shower chair is one of the most important features. Most products can hold up to 250 pounds (lbs) of body weight. If the patient is obese, you might need to look for options that can support higher body weight.
5. Accessories
To further increase the safety and security provided by the shower chair, accessories are often provided with the product. These include suction cups which are attached to the feet of the chair to increase their hold on the flooring. In addition, the presence of armrests ensures support to the patient’s body while sitting down and standing up.
6. Cost
In addition to the above-mentioned features, the cost of the product is also essential to look into. Most shower chair brands cost around $100 which is a reasonable price for a product that will serve you for years to come. However, some products might cost a bit more depending on the quality as well as the accessories that come with them.
A shower chair is a comfortable and safe bathroom safety equipment
Shower Chair Brands at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Shower chairs are needed for the elderly as well as for those who have mobility impairments. These are ideal bathroom safety products as the user can take a bath safely and independently without the assistance of a caregiver.
There are many different kinds of shower chair products which are available in the US market. Some of these shower chair brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
Shower Chair Seat with Padded Armrests with 350 lb Capacity
Shower Chair Seat with Padded Armrests with 350 lb Capacity
US$353.28
Product Details
A shower chair seat with padded armrests is a bathing equipment that provides comfort to the patients while serving its purpose. The product is equipped with non-slip soles that get locked to the floor and prevent the person from falling. The aluminum construction keeps the product lightweight as well as strong and rust-resistant.
As for the height of these shower chair products, it is adjustable and can be set based on the patient’s needs as well as convenience. The product comes in parts that need to be assembled before use. However, the assembling process is easy and does not require much time. A step-by-step guide is also provided with the product to make this process even easier.
Drive Medical RTL12606 Bathroom Safety Shower Chair with Folding Back
Drive Medical RTL12606 Bathroom Safety Shower Chair with Folding Back
US$74.99
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL12606 bathroom safety shower chair comes with a folding back which makes it an ideal product for small bathrooms. The height of its legs is adjustable and can be modified as needed. Moreover, the product also has non-slip feet which keeps it steady in its place on the wet floor.
Due to its removable legs, it is easy to store the product in a small space as well. As the construction material is plastic, the product is also lighter in weight and water-resistant. In addition, the added arms ensure that the user can easily sit on the seat without slipping and getting injured.
Drive Medical RTL12505 Premium Series Shower Chair with Back and Arms
Drive Medical RTL12505 Premium Series Shower Chair
US$66.99
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL12505 premium series shower chair with back and arms is a plastic-based product that is long-lasting and water-resistant. The legs of these shower chairs are strong and have non-slip stoppers which keep the chair in place while it is used in the shower.
These Drive Medical RTL12505 premium series shower chairs are lightweight and easy to store as the back, arms, and legs are removable. The sea is designed in a way to provide comfort to the users. Moreover, a height indicator is attached to the shower chair to indicate the adjustment.
Drive Medical RTL12A001-GR 360 Degrees Swivel Bath Chair
Drive Medical RTL12A001-GR 360 Degrees Swivel Bath Chair
US$131.49
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL12A001-GR 360 degrees swivel bath and shower chair is another well-known bathroom safety product. It has a compact design and has been constructed with a non-irritant material which does not cause redness or itching to the skin.
The push-back armrests are convenient as they help the user get up easily after bathing. The 360-degree swivel action of these shower chair products works in both directions followed by an automatic locking of the chair at 90-degree intervals.
The construction material is aluminium which is lightweight and rust-resistant. The weight capacity of the product is up to 350 pounds which renders it suitable for people with higher than normal body mass index.
Drive Medical RTL12202KDR Safety Shower Tub Bench
Drive Medical RTL12202KDR Safety Shower Tub Bench
US$57.99
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL12202KDR safety shower tub bench is another bathroom safety product that is employed for bathing. The seats of these chairs have drainage holes that let the water flow out of the base of the chair. The non-slip feet protect the user from slipping in the shower. Moreover, a support collar has been attached to the product which prevents leg movement.
The construction material is aluminium which is resistant to corrosion. The pinch-free cover allows the user to depress push pins without pinching their fingers. Overall, the product is durable and easy to clean.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Foldable shower chairs are ideal for small bathrooms
The shower chair brands mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of bathroom safety products on the website.
Conclusion
Falling in the bathroom can cause moderate to severe injuries, especially in the case of elderly individuals. Most of these injuries require treatment in the hospital while some can worsen to the extent that they become life-threatening.
As a safety tool, the use of a shower chair while bathing is recommended. These chairs are like regular plastic and aluminum-based chairs and provide support to the user. Their non-slip feet ensure stability which further guarantees the patient’s safety.
Considering their importance, a shower chair must be kept at home if you have seniors with limited mobility. For purchasing different shower chair brands, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
