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Bath
Benches and Shower Seats Can Make a Tub or
Shower Safer for Anyone |
No one with any kind of mobility
problem should ever be trying to sit down in a
bathtub. Standing up again is difficult enough
even for the youthful and able-bodied.
The best way to eliminate the
need to sit down into the tub is to either
shower, or use an elevated bathtub seat.
Bathtub seats come in various styles:
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A bath seat that sits in the tub
or in the shower
As long as the four feet fit squarely into the
tub with no wobble, any sturdy plastic or
aluminum chair will work, but a
bath seat designed specifically for the
purpose is your best bet. These have sturdy
height-adjustable legs, no arms to get in the
way, and won't tip to the side nearly as easily
as something not designed for the job. Light
plastic yard chairs will work in a pinch, but they are not
especially strong or stable, and they can be a
little tippy, so they should only be an
emergency or temporary measure.
Bath
seats are sold by most medical equipment
providers, as well as by the "big box" hardware
stores and some pharmacies. Using a bath seat
requires that the bather be able to step safely
into the tub before sitting down.
A bathtub transfer bench
 A
bathtub
transfer bench sits half in the tub, and
half out into the room. The person bathing can
sit down on the transfer bench and slide safely
across and into the tub while sitting. The
transfer bench eliminates the need to step over
the side of the tub.
If your tub has sliding doors
instead of a shower curtain you will probably
find that using a long bath bench
eliminates all the available "in and out" space.
Sliding doors and a tub shower are not the best
alternative for someone with balance problems
anyway.
There is too much temptation to use the doors
for support, and they make it nearly impossible
for anyone to offer help if necessary. Give
serious consideration to removing the doors and
installing a shower curtain instead.
Small Shower Stalls Need A Smaller Seat
 A
small "one person" shower enclosure doesn't
always have room for a full size shower chair or
stool. In that case, a smaller
Corner Shower Seat
 that will
fit comfortably in a corner is the ideal
solution.
Hand Held Shower Head
 A Hand Held Shower Head
 is particularly
important for anyone who will be showering while
seated. A seated bather won't want the shower
water coming right down onto his or her face.
Hand-held shower wands are available at any
store that sells plumbing supplies.
Bathing Down In The Tub If
your elder absolutely insists on taking a
down-in-the-tub bath, then you should insist
that someone be at home during all baths. No
exceptions. Sooner or later, your bather will
need assistance getting out. It will be
embarrassing and awkward, but will teach a good
lesson if there is someone around to call for
help. If no one is at home when the inevitable
happens it can be very, very dangerous.
If you do have an older
person stuck in the tub we absolutely,
positively, without any doubt recommend that you
call 911. This is not a project for someone who
does not know what he or she is doing. The risk
that you will injure both yourself and your
elder is too high. Provide a blanket or a warm
towel, and call for help.
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