Shower Chair: Applications & Health Benefits

Weak people and people with a physical disability are often severely limited in their range of motion. Daily personal hygiene, such as showering, brushing teeth or washing hair, therefore turns out to be problematic. To ensure safety and comfort, the use of shower chairs is recommended.

What is a shower chair?

To make showering fun even in old age, shower aids, such as a shower chair, make it easier to get into the shower. Shower chairs are the appropriate bathing and showering aid for people who are significantly impaired in their mobility. Especially in everyday care, a shower chair is indispensable. With the help of a shower chair, showering can be done effortlessly while sitting. The hygiene measures can be carried out either by the affected person himself or by an assistant. Made of plastic and aluminum, the seat can be set up not only in the bathtub and shower stall, but also performs well in front of the sink.

Shapes, types and types

Depending on individual preferences, the body size and the spaciousness of the bathroom, there are several suitable variants of shower chairs. Manufacturers offer the shower aids in a wide variety of designs. Thus, the customer not only has a choice of chairs with a round, triangular or square seat, but can also determine the number of chair legs. Shower chairs with a round seat are particularly space-saving. These seats can be easily placed in a corner of the shower stall. The small size of this type of shower chair also allows you to place it in the bathtub. Shower chairs attached to the wall can be conveniently folded down when they are no longer needed. Furthermore, freestanding models exist that can also be folded. Square shower chairs are mostly intended for people with a larger body stature. They allow you to sit more comfortably and can sometimes take up an entire shower stall. A triangular model can completely fill a corner of the shower, leaving room for family members who do not need a shower aid of this type. Those who need even more support and safety during the showering process should go for the comfort class. These chairs are equipped with extra sturdy armrests or backrests that guarantee a better grip while showering. In addition to the versions for domestic use, there are shower chair types designed specifically for nursing. They are particularly ergonomically shaped and reduce static loads. The mobile version of the shower chair is used both in care and in the home environment and can be pushed and parked anywhere due to its rolling nature.

Structure and function

The features of shower chairs are as individual as the needs of the user. In addition to the usual four-legged shower chairs, there are also variants with only three legs or mobile chairs with wheels on the legs. Most models are easy to disassemble and height adjustable. The so-called telescopic legs allow you to easily and individually adjust to the desired seat height. While the backrest facilitates sitting and prevents the person from tilting backwards, the armrests support easy sitting down and standing up. If necessary, the armrests and backrest can be removed. The non-slip rubber feet ensure a firm stand of the chair. The seat has large drainage slits so that water does not stagnate in the shower chair but can drain away unhindered. Armrests and backrests provide more safety especially to powerless and unstable people. Shower chairs with a swivel base simplify getting up and sitting down, as well as personal hygiene. The basic equipment of every shower chair includes hygiene recess in the seat. Some shower aids come up with legs made of anodized aluminum tubing and cross braces to give the chair even more stability. The mobile models have parking brakes as well as removable footrests. Push handles on the backrest ensure safe movement by caregivers or family. In addition, the mobile shower chairs can be equipped with a removable leg and calf guard and extra padded armrests. The latter can be swung away to the side and locked in place.Some versions have a toilet bucket or basin, which can be placed under the hygiene cutout. The extra equipment also includes, among other things, net compartments that allow storage of shampoo, soap or other personal items. For people in need of special care, shower chairs with safety belt system have been developed, so that the person remains safely fixed during washing.

Diseases and ailments

Many people find it increasingly difficult to clean their own bodies on a daily basis for medical reasons. Lack of strength, instability in the legs and upper body, as well as pain or physical disabilities are a major hurdle during showering. Shower chairs should be used to minimize the risk of slipping and the resulting secondary injuries such as sprains, hematomas or even broken bones. Retirees in particular often forgo an extensive shower and prefer to wash at the sink. This is because the bathtub is often too deep to climb out unharmed and the shower stall is too slippery. This is where a shower mat comes in handy. Regular use of a shower chair makes cleaning and caring for the body much easier. Thus, hair washing and pedicure can be carried out in the ergonomically designed models, as well as the dressing and undressing of the person in need of care can be better realized. Not only is the possibility of intimate care thus ensured, but the development of inflammations in skin folds and the becoming sore of body parts is prevented or at least minimized by continuous hygiene. This leads to an increased well-being of the affected persons and to a higher quality of life.