When you get older, you may get more balance and mobility issues. These issues can make it a lot harder to take a shower. A shower chair with arms provides a place to sit while showering and gives the user additional support when getting onto or off of the chair.
A shower chair is a great option for older adults, adults with mobility issues and anyone that can’t stand for a long period of time. The shower chair should fit the person using it as well as the space it will be going in. There are so many different types of shower chairs, like backless, ones with a back, chairs that have arm rests and some that are foldable.
What Is a Shower Chair With Arms?
A shower chair with arms is a seat that is meant for the shower. The best thing about shower chairs with arms is that they give individuals a little more support and a place to sit down when they need to.
Shower chairs are meant to go into showers, so they have drainage holes, non-slip feet and are built from material that is meant to get wet. Regular chairs will pool up water, slip around and not last as long in the shower. A good shower chair shouldn’t slip around, shouldn't pool up water and should give users just enough confidence to shower comfortably.
Get a shower chair with arms if you:
- Have difficulty standing for long periods
- Need to sit while showering
- Want more support during transfers
- Get tired of standing
- Want moe stability in the shower
- Are recovering from an injury
Why Choose a Shower Chair With Arms?
Arms give you additional support when showering and using your shower chair. They are a great tool to hold on to and can make you feel more comfortable getting on and off the chair. Some people like the ones with arms, because they give them extra support, while others are perfectly ok with the basic shower chair.
What Weight Capacity Should a Shower Chair Have?
Every shower chair will have its own weight capacity. Make sure to check the specific shower chair specifications and make sure that it can hold up to your weight.
How High Should it Be?
Make sure to adjust the height so the user is comfortable. When you have the correct height, it will make it a lot easier to sit down and stand up from. If the chair is way lower than it should be, you might have to lower yourself down way too far, which would make it really hard to sit down on.
How Do You Choose the Right Size?
Measure your shower chair and think of the person using it before ordering one. These are also some things to consider when taking measurements:
- Shower width
- Shower depth
- Door opening
- Location of the shower controls
- Location of the showerhead
- Available space around the chair
Should a Shower Chair Have a Backrest?
Backrests are great when it comes to comfort. If you want more comfort, we recommend getting a shower chair with a back rest. If you are looking for something that is a little more compact, we recommend one without a back rest. Back rests are awesome for those who need a little more upper body support.
Why Are Shower Chairs a Good Idea?
For people who get tired easily when standing for longer periods of time a shower chair is a great addition to the shower. Showers are slippery and hard for people to get balance in and also are the number one most common place to fall. Shower chairs give that extra support people need when being confident and supported enough showering alone.
Look for a Seat With Drainage Holes
Drainage holes are awesome on a shower chair. They make sure that water doesn’t pool up in the middle. Water pooling can cause users to slip around a lot on the chair.
Consider Adjustable Legs
Adjustable legs are awesome, because they make the chair more universal. They can be adjusted to fit multiple people's heights. Always check the height specifications before buying one.
What Makes a Shower Chair Stable?
Shower chairs are meant to be stable and meant to go on wet surfaces. They are designed with non-slip grips on the bottom of the feet. Make sure you place your shower chair on a flat surface and follow the manufacturers recommendations when setting it up.
Will a Shower Chair Fit in Your Shower?
All shower chairs are different and there are a lot of different sizes and designs. Make sure you measure your shower before buying one and check the size specifications of the product to make sure it will fit comfortably in your shower.
Shower Chair With Arms vs. Shower Bench
A shower chair with arms adds more support and may be more comfortable for some people. When it comes to people that need to transfer out of the chair easier, having arms can get in the way. We recommend an armless shower chair for those people, because they don’t have to worry about working around the arms or removing the arms to get off. If you are using the chair for more support and don’t need to transfer out of it, we recommend getting one with arms to be more comfortable.
How Do You Clean a Shower Chair?
Shower chairs are going to be used in a wet environment, and regular cleaning is an important step. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when you clean your shower chair. Make sure that you let the chair dry after cleaning it.
What Should Caregivers Consider?
Make sure the caregiver is easily able to move the chair around and adjust it.
Caregivers will have to:
- Move the chair into the shower
- Adjust the seat height
- Help the user sit down
- Assist with transfers
- Clean the chair
- Move or store the chair
Shower Chair Buying Checklist
Before purchasing a shower chair with arms, consider:
- Is the weight capacity appropriate?
- Is the seat height adjustable?
- Is the seat wide enough?
- Will it fit inside the shower?
- Are the armrests comfortable?
- Are the arms removable or adjustable?
- Does the seat allow water to drain?
- Does it have a backrest?
- Are the legs stable?
- Does it have non-slip feet?
- Is it easy to clean?
- Can you easily move and adjust it?
How to Choose the Right Shower Chair With Arms
Before choosing the right shower chair, think of who will be using it and what bathroom it will be going in. Make sure to take measurements of the bathroom before buying one. Things that are important to look at are shower chair weight capacity, seat height, armrest design, backrest, drainage, and overall stability.
Armrests are a great addition for those who need more support. If you are someone who needs to be transferred out of it, the armrest might get in the way.
If you're looking for bathroom safety equipment, IDTS Home Medical Supply offers shower chairs, bath safety products, and other mobility equipment to help you find an option that fits your needs.
External Resource: CDC – Older Adult Falls
FAQS
Is it safer to have a shower chair with arms?
Shower chairs with arms do add more support and something for the user to hold on. If you are someone that needs to be transferred out of the chair, shower arms might get in the way.
When should you get a shower chair with arms?
Get a shower chair with arms when you want a little more support and don’t require a transfer when getting in and out of the chair.
Can you get an adjustable height with a shower chair with arms?
Some shower chairs with arms come with an adjustable height. Always check specifications before buying.
What size should I get?
Look at the weight capacity, height dimension and measure the size of your bathroom before purchasing a shower chair.
Will my shower chair with arm rests come with non-slip feet?
All shower chairs should have non-slip feet. Make sure they do, because they should not be slipping around when you are using them.
