While the shower is often thought of as a place of refuge to ready yourself for the day or to relax in the evening, seniors may not share that same mindset.
The slippery surfaces of the shower or tub can make bathing difficult, not to mention the decreased mobility and flexibility that comes with age.
A sit down shower chair could be the solution.
Here are some tips for using a shower chair safely, from Senior Safety Advice’s Esther C. Kane, C.D.S., who spent a decade working as an Occupational Therapist:
5 Steps To Using A Shower Chair
- Place the chair in the tub or shower stall
- Be sure it’s stable. Put an anti-slip mat underneath for more protection
- Remove obstructions that can topple and hurt someone or cause them to slip
- Alter the chair’s height so it can be used for both standing and sitting
- Sit in the center of the chair, never on the edge
What Is A Shower Seat Or Shower Chair?
A shower chair is also sometimes referred to as a bath chair or a shower seat.
“Shower chair” and “bath chair” are fairly interchangeable terms describing chairs that are designed for use while bathing. These usually have a molded plastic seat and a backrest. If they don’t have a backrest, they are called a “bath stool” or “shower stool.”
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This is a seating option designed for the elderly and those with disabilities who cannot remain standing for the duration of their shower.
These chairs may also minimize the risk of shower-time slips and falls.
Shower chairs are often made of plastic with non-rusting metal arms and legs, typically aluminum.
There will be four legs in all, with feet that feature rubber caps on each. These rubber caps prevent the chair from skidding in the tub, even when the surface gets wet and slippery.
The senior sits down in the chair and bathes either on their own or with the assistance of a caregiver or an adult child.
You may also use a tub transfer bench to help the senior get onto the shower seat, which we’ll talk about shortly.
So How Do You Use A Shower Chair?
In the intro, we laid out the steps an elderly person (or anyone) should take when showering with one of the above types of shower chairs.
We’ll now expand on each step so you can help your senior loved one safely use their new chair (and we’ve included a video on how to use a shower chair at the end of this section).
1) Place The Shower Chair In The Tub Or Shower Stall
Position the shower chair in the tub or shower stall, close to the water.
2) Be Sure It’s Stable
All four rubberized feet should touch the floor of the tub or shower without the legs losing their levelness.
There should be no possibility the shower chair can slide, wobble, or lean. Otherwise, you need to reposition it until it is stable.
By adding a mat beneath the shower chair, there’s even less risk of the chair tipping and spilling the senior out onto the shower floor.
You want to make sure you choose a flat mat with slip-resistant properties.
Not only is a slip-resistant mat good in that your senior can safely step on it without falling, but the mat also won’t bunch up under the shower chair if it gets wet.
If it did, this would create an unwanted tripping hazard.
3) Remove Obstructions
Is there anything in or around the tub or shower that could be dangerous?
For instance, if you have a shower caddy overhead, you may want to reposition it to the other side of the tub or shower stall.
You never know if those suction cups will loosen and the whole caddy will come tumbling down.
Similarly, check the floor and the lip of the tub if you have one.
From bottles to soap dishes, anything obstructive that could be in the way of you or your senior has to go.
4) Adjust The Chair’s Height
When choosing a shower chair, look for one that has height-adjustable legs.
Before the senior bathes or showers, the shower chair should be adjusted for their height (details in the following section).
It shouldn’t be so low that it’s hard for them to get up from it, and it shouldn’t be too high that their feet can’t fully touch the floor when using the chair.
The person should be able to put their feet flat on the floor if the chair is the correct height for them.
5) Sit In The Center Of The Chair
With your loved one is ready to bathe, the next step is helping them get into the shower chair.
You can do this yourself by physically moving them or you can rely on a shower bench to help them from Point A to Point B.
Also, seniors should learn the correct way to use a shower chair. They should never sit at the edge, as they could slip right off.
Instead, they should put themselves in the center of the chair and remain there until they’re done showering.
