Consumer Product Guide

Consumer Product Guide
BATH CHAIRS

Tips, Ideas, and Product Features

Showering a person who is sitting is easier and safer than lowering a person into and lifting them out of a tub. The right bath chair or transfer bench can increase the comfort, safety, and hygiene of the person you care for and - as a bonus – is back-friendly for you. We've sorted through a lot of information to give you a condensed "things you need to know" list. Not all bath chairs are equal. For example, some features are safer or more comfortable than others and some chairs are too large to fit into every tub.

TIP A colorful towel on the seat that contrasts with the tub floor can help reduce fear of falling for those who have dementia-related problems with depth perception or for those with low vision.

1. The Right Fit for the Tub

First and foremost, make sure the chair you buy safely fits into the bathtub, especially if you have a narrow tub. If the chair is too large, the legs will not sit firmly on the floor, making the chair wobble when used. A wobbly chair can be unsettling, especially for those with dementia, and is also a safety issue. Before You Buy: Get out your measuring tape and measure the floor of the tub. Compare it to the chair's leg width measurement, usually referred to as the "base" measurement; that's the outside measurement for the chair's feet. The chair's legs must sit on the flat part of the tub floor. If the chair's base is wider than the bottom of the tub:
•	Find a smaller chair
•	Use a small bath stool if the person can sit upright. The person you care for, however, may find a chair with a back more comfortable since they can lean back against it.
•	Use a transfer bench: as part of the bench is outside the tub, it can be used with many small tubs. If there isn't enough space in the bathroom to leave it in place, you may need to put the transfer bench lengthwise in the tub after each use.
•	Use a tub-mounted chair: two legs sit on the tub floor and the other side of the chair rests on the tub rim.

2. The Right Fit for the Person – 4 Questions to Ask

1. Is the person frail or is delicate skin an issue?

A padded vinyl (waterproof) seat is more comfortable to sit on, but it can be slippery when wet. A towel on the seat will decrease the slipperiness when wet.

If you choose a non-padded plastic seat, purchase a textured seat with drainage holes to avoid puddles of water on the seat. As some individuals will find the seat hard, place a towel on the seat to improve comfort.

2. Can the person partially stand?

If not, a seat with a cut-out may allow cleaning of personal areas without standing, but it requires good sitting posture or the person could slide into the cut-out, especially if the seat is padded.

3. Does the person weigh over 250?

Check to see if the chair can support your care receiver's weight (many chairs hold up to 250 or 300 lbs.). If not, purchase a special bariatric chair.

4. Does the person have limited movement?

Consider a chair with a sliding, swiveling seat.

Specialty Vendors

There are many bath chairs on the market today that can be purchased easily at local home health supply stores or online. The listing below is only for a specialty bath product that is not readily available.

TIP Before buying any chair, be sure to check with the manufacturer or supplier to confirm that the model you are interested in will fit into the tub or bathroom – not all will.

Bath Chairs in Colors

Manufacturer: Drive Medical
Model: Deluxe Chair
http://drivemedical.com
Suggested Retail: $84.00 (We've seen it on the internet for as low as $52)