Helping You Determine the Best Solution for Safe Bathroom Independence 

To successfully age in place, it’s important to evaluate your situation focusing on restoring comfort, safety, and confidence in your daily routines. That focus should start in the home, especially in the bathroom. At Mobile Patient Lift, our mission to Lifting Lives, Restoring Independence, focuses on products designed to support caregivers while offering independence solutions to individuals with limited mobility. One of the most common questions we are asked at Mobile Patient Lift is: I have never needed one before and see various bathing solutions on the internet. What are the differences between a shower chair, bath stool, and bath lift? And how can I determine which is the best option for me or my loved one?  

With so many types of Bathroom Safety Chairs Let’s break down the differences. 

Shower Chairs (Without Wheels)  

The Shower chair is the most common safety seat used in bathrooms today. Originally designed by James Heath back in 1750. The tried-and-true Shower Chair was and still is designed to support an individual less stable on their feet in an environment less favorable. Today, modern designs feature a contoured removable backrest, adjustable armrests, and angled rubber-tipped legs that provide seated support in a standing shower, bathtub or anywhere in the bathroom. 

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Great for individuals who with minor balance issues, difficulty standing for prolonged periods of time or fatigue during bathing but can still walk or transfer with minimal or no support. 

What to Consider When Buying a Shower Chair:

Check the size of the shower chair to ensure it fits your shower or bathtub. Look for non-slip feet great on wet surfaces, drainage holes to ensure water doesn’t collect on the shower chair, adjustable height legs to provide proper user support and comfort and adjustable and removable arms to make standing and sitting in the chair easier for those with difficulty bending. Caregivers should evaluate if the chair is sufficient for the person using it or if more support is needed. 

Shower Chairs with Wheels (Transport-Style) 

Wheeled showered chairs offer the same seated support as stationary shower chairs but with the ability to roll making transport for individuals less mobile easier. The wheels provide the Caregiver with the option to roll the chair into the shower, eliminating the need for the individual bathing from standing or transferring inside a wet environment. They can also offer users the ability to heel strike, a technique used by individuals with limited upper body strength to self-propel a wheelchair or shower chair. 

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Often shower chairs with Wheels are used by individuals that have some limited walking ability but can remain seated during transfer. Often the best scenario is when the shower chair is supported by a caregiver who can aid transporting the user to the bathroom setting them up for bathing. 

Product Spotlight:

Introducing the Sidekick Shower Chair by Mobile Patient Lift. The Bathroom is the most dangerous place in the home. The Sidekick Shower Chair with Wheels combines a high strength lightweight design providing a true bathing experience while offering user support. Featuring a commode opening, nylon fiber frame, adjustable footrests and comfortable padded seat. The Sidekick Shower Chair offers more independence to users allowing them to age in place – Your TRUE Bathroom Sidekick 

What to Consider When Buying a Rolling Shower Chair:

Check the size of the Shower Chair to ensure it fits through your bathroom door and will work in your shower or bathtub. Ensure the units seat and back are ample size to provide support during wheeled transfers. The four locking casters should be color coded and easy to identify and easy to lock, manufactured to be light weight with materials which are water-resistant or proof to prevent corrosion. For shower chairs with footrests or armrests they should be adjustable to maximize user comfort and support. Always check the weight capacity of the unit to ensure it will meet the person’s needs and have a have a caregiver evaluate if the chair is sufficient or if more support is needed.  

Self-Propelled Shower Wheelchairs 

A level up from a wheeled shower chair a self-propelled shower wheelchair offers all the same features of a transport-style wheeled bathing chair but with the addition of large 24” rear wheels. The addition of the 24” rear wheels turns the chair into a shower wheelchair great for individuals who can independently move themselves to and from the shower or bathroom area. For able users it provides the greatest level of independence and privacy without the need for caregiver assistance or anyone to help you in the bathroom.  

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Who Self-Propelled Shower Wheelchairs Best For:

With the ability to Self-Propel a chair of this style is best for individuals with lower-body limitations that still have good upper-body strength and control. Often this chair is great for Wheelchair users or users that are looking for a bathroom option to maintain privacy and independence.  

Product Spotlight:

As featured above the Sidekick Shower Chair by Mobile Patient Lift combines all of the features of a Transport Style Shower Chairs with the addition of a 24” Quick Release Rear Wheel providing the best of both worlds. Use as a Transport Shower Chair or Self-Propelled Shower Wheelchair simply by inserting the tool free rear wheels. The Sidekick Shower Chair offers so much than independence, it allows a user to Age in Place – Your TRUE Bathroom Sidekick 

What to Consider:

Review the width of the shower chair when opened to ensure it will fit through doorways, has room to maneuver in the bathroom and the wheels can roll easily on the floor. For showers with a threshold ensure the user has the strength to roll over it and that the wheels can navigate the threshold. The chairs design should be lightweight yet strong, so the user is mostly propelling their own body weight. Check to ensure the user has enough upper body strength to self-propel using the large rear wheels. Lastly, it should be manufactured from materials which are meant for wet environments.  

Bath Stools 

Bath stools are a basic chair designed to provide a safe solution for seated bathing. It’s a bathing stool that is exactly as it sounds. Bath stools are backless so the user must have upper body dexterity with the ability to sit up on their own. Today these stools come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials and are not just used for seniors looking for a safer option when bathing. Great for tighter bathtubs or showers usually due to the smaller design footprint allowing for use in tight spaces or for users with relatively strong balance.  

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Bath Stools are Best For:

Great for individuals who are mostly independent but have difficulty standing during a shower. Providing the user with the ability to sit and rest while still cleaning themselves. Great for users with tighter bathrooms or showers and individuals on the go or in need of a temporary solution.  

What to Consider:

Choosing a design that comes with non-slip rubber feet to ensure stability and control when sitting or standing. The stool’s legs should be height adjustable to ensure proper user positioning and comfort. The seat should be large enough to provide seated support while offering comfort. In addition, the seats design should contain drainage holes or gaps to prevent water build up during use. For users who require the need to transfer or cannot sit without arm or back support, a bath stool is not a good option. 

Bathtub Lifts 

Bathtub lifts are a fantastic option for users who are unable to navigate the bathtub wall by providing a platform where the user can sit down and slide onto the lift. Once seated in the bathtub lift using a hand control, the Bathlift slowly lowers a person into the tub and raises them up when they are done bathing and ready to get out. A great tool for anyone with limited mobility, difficulty standing in the shower or users who are unable to get over the bathtub wall without risk of falling.   

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Bath Lifts are Best For:

Great for seniors or individuals that can no longer navigate the entry into or out of the Bathtub or Bathtub Shower. For those looking for a spa like bathing experience using a Bathlift to lower or raise themselves in a relaxing comfortable seated position in or out of the tub. A perfect aging in place solution to ensure long-term bathroom independence. 

Highlight:

Have you seen our Bridge Bath Lift by Mobile Patient Lift. Designed to cross the gap between the bathtub walls creating the ultimate bridge to safety and independence. Featuring lightweight construction, waterproof design, easy remote control, and supports up to 315 lbs. for both bathing and fall recovery. It’s a solid choice for safe, independent bathtub use. 

What to Consider:

When looking for a bathtub lift, consider models with waterproof hand controls, suction cup to secure the lift to the tub, the height of the seat to ensure the lift can get all the way into the tub and if the backrest can recline for a spa like bathing experience. In addition, check how much weight the bathtub lift can accommodate as well as the run time between charging the battery. Lastly, the unit’s seat and back covers should be able to be removed without tools for easy cleaning using household cleaning materials.  

Transfer Benches

Transfer Benches are the non-powered version of a Bathlift. A traditional Transfer Bench offers a seat that spans the bathtub wall, half on the inside and the other half on the outside the bathtub. This allows a user to sit down on the outside portion of the seat and slide into the tub crossing the outside wall of the bathtub preventing risk of falling, tripping or injury for users with limited mobility. 

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Great for Seniors, Individuals or Wheelchair Users that cannot navigate the entry into or out of the Bathtub by offering a stable surface to sit on and slide your body into the tub preventing the risk of a fall.  

What to Consider:

When evaluating the many styles of Transfer Benches on the market today, check to make sure the bench offers adjustable height legs with non-slip feet and suction cups. The adjustable height legs can be used to lower or raise the seat height to ensure proper positioning and comfort, while the non-slip feet and suction cups secure the unit to the tub. It should have a non-slip seat, and a backrest to ensure the user remains on the transfer bench securely. The benches seat should also have water drainage holes and slot for the shower curtain to lay when in use. In addition, the seats back should be universal to allow for different bathroom layouts and have a handlebar for the users to hold onto making the slide in or out of the bathtub easier. 

Tilt-in-Space Shower Chairs 

For individuals that require a more custom seating option, Tilt-In-Space Shower Chairs are a great way to provide a safe bathing experience. Designed to improve a patient’s comfort while offering the support needed for individuals with complex needs, difficulty maintaining balance and for users who may have involuntary body movements. These Rehab Style Shower chairs combat these challenges by offering the ability to recline or tilt the chair seat in varying degrees, reducing the pressure on the person body and redistribute a patient’s weight when seated in the chair. Tilt and Recline Shower Chairs can assist with Balance, Weight Redistribution and Enhancing Safety.   

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Who It's Best For:

Designed to improve a patient comfort and hygiene while offering support needed for individuals with complex physical challenges or neurological conditions. 

What to Consider:

When shopping for a Tilt-In-Space Shower Chair, always evaluate the patients needs against the features of the chair. The chair should have a lightweight, waterproof and durable frame, waterproof upholstery, seat tilt / recline controls, adjustability in the Seat, Back, Legs, Armrests, Head Support and compatible with your bathroom. Designed with Safety features like non-slip feet, wheel locks and textured or non-slip seat with drainage holes and back to prevent slipping. It should also be easy to maintain and clean with everyday household cleaners. 

Wall-Mounted Folding Shower Seats 

Offering a permanently installed Shower Seat which is great for individuals who may or may not always require the use of the seat. Once installed it can be folded up when not in use and down when needed. It is a great option for those needing a discreet space saving solution. Providing a good balance for individuals sharing a bathroom by folding away when not in use allowing other users to bathe without the interference of the Shower Chair.  

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Who It's Best For:

Good for individuals who need occasional seated support but can walk into the shower without risk of falling as well as offering a shared bathroom experience by folding away when not in use allowing other users to bathe without the interference of the shower chair.  

What to Consider:

Evaluate the different designs, materials and features of the chair. The cost is associated with installing the shower chair. Check the seat and back size to make sure they will work for your needs, and that the unit comes with drainage holes in the seat to ensure water doesn’t build up on the seat and possibly overflow out of the bathtub. When installing a Wall Mounted Shower Seat always consider adding other options like a grab bar to assist an individual getting on or off the chair. 

Our Final Thoughts on Finding the Solution for a Safer, More Comfortable Bathing Experience as we Age in Place.

With so many options, choices, devices or different styles of bathroom safety equipment, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If you are looking for a way to ensure your independence, support a loved one, or simply looking ahead for the future, choosing the right solution always comes down to individual needs, bathroom design, and the level of support needed.

At Mobile Patient Lift, we believe in Lifting Lives and Restoring Independence, a goal every person deserves, having the ability to bathe with dignity, confidence, and peace of mind. That’s why we offer a variety of innovative bathroom solutions from our Freedom Aqua Transfer Lift, Sidekick Shower Chair, Bridge Bathlift and Alti-Care Raised Toilet Seat designed to adapt to your lifestyle because staying safe shouldn't mean compromising. To explore our full range of bathing and transfer products, visit www.mobilepatientlift.com or give us a call at (212) 366-5483 and we can discuss taking the next step toward restoring independence aging in place at home.