While the majority of people are fit and able to stand while showering, this is not the case for everyone. Shower chairs can therefore be useful in a variety of situations, and for the elderly, infirm, and disabled, they can make it much easier to bathe. The chairs come in a few styles, providing options for those that want to use them.
There are a few different types of shower chairs for disabled people. The simplest styles include small plastic stools and chairs which can be placed directly under the shower faucet when needed. With this style the disabled person transfers from a wheelchair to the shower chair to bathe. Many of the chairs have padded seats for comfort and are adjustable such that the height can be raised and lowered as required.
In situations where a walk in shower is available, a disabled shower chair with castors can be a better option. The advantage of this style is that the person remains in one chair during the shower and does not need to transfer from one seat to another. The shower chair is simply rolled into the enclosure for the person to bathe.
A baby shower chair typically comprises a small plastic chair in which a baby can sit to bathe or be showered with a hand held shower head. For safety the seat generally has a T-bar across the front, and this holds the child securely in a seated position. For added safety the shower chair can have suction cups on the bottom of the feet to hold it securely to the base of the tub or shower floor. The chairs are typically lightweight, and in some cases can fold flat for storage when not in use.
Installing a chair can cut down on the space available in a shower enclosure, although this problem can be reduced by choosing a folding shower chair. This style typically folds flat when not in use so that it does not get in the way. There are a couple of main choices for folding chairs in a shower. A wall mounted model has a seat that folds flat against the wall to keep it out of the way when not in use. As the seat is held securely against the wall it can be a safe option to choose. A freestanding folding shower chair typically has a back and legs that fold flat against the seat to make it easier to store. This style has the advantage that it can be moved to different positions as needed.
In many cases elderly or infirm people may have difficulty walking to a shower and an option available to them is a rolling shower chair. This style of chair most commonly has a plastic seat and back mounted on a metal frame. The frame itself is mounted on castors enabling the chair to be rolled around. This allows someone to be taken directly into a shower so that they can bathe, although a walk in shower is required where there are no obstacles which stop the chair being rolled in. The advantage of this style of shower chair is that the person does not need to transfer from a wheelchair to a shower seat, and this makes a rolling chair a safer option to use.
A teak shower chair can provide an attractive fixture for a shower enclosure, making it a good choice. This style of chair can feature a teak seat and back set on a metal frame, or the chair can be made entirely from wood. Teak has the benefit of being a durable material, which is not adversely affected by the heat and moisture of a shower. It should therefore be long lasting, providing a number of years of service.
Those that opt for this style of seat should look for a chair that has a textured surface. This can be created by milling grooves or cutting a pattern of holes through the seat. This helps to produce a safer chair, with a more slip resistant seat surface.
Shower chairs provide a safer and more comfortable way to bathe, and can be a good option for elderly and disabled people. They can also be useful for those that have fixtures such as steam enclosures and spend more time in the shower. There are a few different styles of shower chair available, providing a variety of choice for those that want to use one in their shower.
Moen Shower Fixtures
Kohler Shower Stalls
Delta Shower Fixtures