A good quality shower and bathtub chair can make a world of difference for the safety of the elderly when bathing. Each year, 2.8 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.(1.) Many of these injuries happen while slipping in the bath. There are certain aids that can make a shower or bathtub a more safer environment. A transfer bench is one aid and a specially designed shower chair is one of them.
An added benefit of having a shower chair is it allows the person to sit down while showering. Standing for long periods of time can make showering a chore for those with a disability or for elderly people with weak back and legs.
In this article I will be reviewing my top 3 recommendations for the best shower chairs for the elderly and disabled. Not only are these shower chairs built for safety but also for comfort.
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My #1 Recommended Best Value Shower Chair For The Elderly
Drive Medical Premium Series Shower Chair with Back and Arms –
The Drive Medical Shower Chair is the best value shower chair available. It is also a best seller on Amazon where you can find over a thousand customer reviews.
One essential feature a shower chair must have, is the ability to adjust the height to suit the user. Many elderly people suffering from arthritic knees are unable to sit down that far, therefore a seat that can be adjusted to a higher height will make it easier for the elderly person to sit down. This shower chair can be adjusted from 16″ to 21″ in 1/2 inch increments. Making the chair as high as possible is perfect for taller individuals and people with weak knees, for example recovering from knee surgery.
Another great feature is the convenience of this chair because it can be disassembled to store away between use. It can be disassembled without the need of tools and reassembled within seconds. This portable and lightweight shower chair can also be conveniently brought with you when travelling.
Although the chair is lightweight, it is still very sturdy, designed to hold up to 350 lbs in weight. Even the heavier individual can sit on this chair with a sense of security because the rubber slip-free feet add extra safety in the bathtub and shower stall.
The Drive Medical Premium Series Shower Chair is a top quality shower chair that is not only comfortable but also great value. It is very popular with Amazon customers and if you would like to see the bargain price and read some reviews, then follow this link.
Before purchasing any shower chair, make sure that the dimensions of your bathtub or shower stall are large enough to accommodate the width of the widest part of the chair.
Details :
- Seat Dimensions: 16.5″(D) x 21.75″(W) x 16-20.5″ (H) adjustable in 1/2″ increments
- Outside Leg Dimensions : 15.5″(D) x 17″(W)
- Weight Capacity : 350 lbs
- Seat built for comfort
- Leg height can be adjusted for easy sitting
- Designed with non-slip feet for added stability and security
- Can be fully disassembled for easy storage
- Lightweight and portable for convenient travel
- Easy assembly – tool free
- Best value shower chair
- Top seller on Amazon with over a thousand satisfied reviews
Premium Quality Hospital Grade Shower Chair
Platinum Health Revolution Pivoting Shower Chair with Padded Back and Arms –
Although, the Platinum Health Revolution Pivoting Shower Chair is a little pricier than the Drive Medical (above), this chair is considered medical grade and used by many medical centers and nursing homes throughout the world.
This chair stands over many of its competitors because of its professional standard in quality and materials. The chair is built with aluminum metal for added strength and security for the user. The padded seat is one of my favorite features of this chair because it adds a lot more comfort when sitting, compared to the usual cold plastic feel of regular shower chairs.
As a person ages their skin becomes that little bit more delicate and is more susceptible to tears. The padded material on this shower seat is ideal for preventing these tears and will make sitting in the shower a very comfortable experience. What is more, the padded seat is great for avoiding sliding on wet seats because the seat is anti-slip, adding that extra safety while showering.
Another great feature of this chair is the ability to twist the seat a full 360°. The purpose of this is to allow the user to turn around without the need of twisting and over stretching. When in the shower an elderly person might want to turn around to reach for some shampoo or grab a towel. The ability of rotating the seat allows the user to perform these tasks without hurting their backs.
Another great feature this chair has is the user can lift up the arms. This is great for allowing easier entry and exit of the chair. The arms lock for stability when seated and unlock when the person wants to exit the shower chair.
Like most shower chairs, the Platinum Health shower chair has anti slip features at the bottom of the legs, which help the legs stick to the wet surface when showering.
As this chair pivots, make sure your bathtub is large enough to not only accommodate the dimensions of the chair but also enough room to allow your legs to swivel around with the chair.
If you would like to find out more information on the Platinum Health Revolution Pivoting Shower Chair , then I recommend you check out the price and reviews here.
Details :
- Seat Dimensions: 15.75″ depth by 22″ width by 21.25″ height
- Overall height of chair : 43″
- Width between armrests : 18 “
- Weight Capacity : 275 lbs
- Padded seat material provides added comfort and prevents tearing of delicate skin
- Padded seat material also prevents slipping, even when wet
- Seat pivots a full 360° allowing easy turning and reaching for shampoos, towels etc
- Lift up arms for easy entry and exit from chair
- Height adjustable
- Suction grip on legs for extra security on wet surfaces
- Medical Grade quality
- Hospitals and nursing home quality and used in the medical industry worldwide
Top Rated Shower Chair / Stool For Older People
Dr Kay’s Adjustable Height Bath and Shower Seat Top Rated Shower Bench –
This little shower seat made by Dr. Kay is a simple, lightweight and economical aid for elderly people that need a seat to rest on in the shower. Unlike the two previous shower chairs, this seat is a stool, therefore it does not have a backrest. This may be a problem for elderly people that need something to lean back on.
If you do not need to rest your back in the shower, then this lightweight chair is a very convenient option, weighing only 4 lbs. The seat has a weight capacity of 250 lbs.
Dr. Kay’s shower seat may be light but it is a good quality stool with a wide base and anti-slip rubber legs to prevent sliding on the wet floor.
It is a solid and stable shower seat that can be easily transported from storage to the bathroom by picking it up with the built-in handle holes at the sides.
The chair height can be increased from 12″ to 18.5″ making the seat not only great for different sized people but also for those that cannot sit down very low, due to weak or painful knees.
If you are looking for a lightweight, very portable shower chair and you have no issues with it being backless, then the Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Height Bath and Shower Seat is an ideal option for you.
Details :
- Dimensions : Leg width at widest part : 15.5″ x 14.5″
- Height of chair can be adjusted from 12″ to 18.5″
- Weight Capacity : 250 lbs
- Wide leg base for added safety
- Anti-slip rubber legs provide extra grip for added stability
- Built-in side handle holes for easy transportation
- Great value bargain shower seat
- Top seller on Amazon
I am looking for a shower chair because I am a paraplegic. I have a shower chair but the arms don’t let down.
Hi Sherry. Have you looked at the Platinum Health Revolution shower chair in the article above? It doesn’t have a feature that lets the arms down but it does allow you to raise them up out of the way. I imagine that this will be just as good for you. If you would like to go directly to the Amazon page to read more on this chair then follow this link. If you have a bath then you may also be interested in shower benches that either won’t have any arms or will allow you to raise the arms up out of the way. Have a look at these shower benches here. I hope this helps 🙂