Standard Transfer Bench

Standard Transfer Bench

May Reduce Falls
Key Features
•	Seat – e.g., curtain slot
•	Back
•	Legs
Remove Shower Doors
Shower Curtain Slot
Transfer Bench Assembly
For Small Bathrooms
Consumer Guide

Shower Curtain Slot

Most seats come with a slot for the shower curtain so water doesn't splash on the floor.

Here's how to use the slot.

Use scissors to make two cuts in the shower curtain about as far apart as the width of the bench; cut from the bottom to the seat height. You are not removing any material from the curtain, just making two vertical cuts, leaving a "tongue" in between.
Insert the "tongue", the section between the two cuts you made, into the slot in the seat.
Now you have the shower curtain hanging on both sides of the bench with the "tongue" in the middle, going through the slot in the bench.
To help with bathing, you need to reach in from the front or the back.

Transfer Bench Assembly

Check whether the bench is shipped fully or partially assembled. One transfer bench we ordered through the internet came with more than 20 screws – and it was quite a job assembling the various parts!

Check with your local home health supply store; some will deliver a fully assembled transfer bench.

For Small Bathrooms

Many transfer benches come with a reversible back so the chair can be positioned for best use. For example, in a small cramped bathroom, you may be able to create some extra space by having the person face the opposite direction. To do this:

Remove the seat back
Insert it on the opposite side of the bench

A few extra inches can make a big difference!

Legs

All transfer benches come with adjustable legs because the legs outside the tub usually need to be higher than those on the tub floor. Typically, the floor in the bathtub is 1 inch to 3 inches higher than the floor of the bathroom.

Adjust the legs until the:

Seat height is at a comfortable transfer height for the person you care for
Feet sit firmly on tub floor (no wobbling).

Back

A back support enhances comfort & balance.
Choose padded for comfort or drape a towel over hard plastic.

Seat

Use the slot on the seat to slip the shower curtain through so water doesn't splash on the floor.
Get a textured plastic seat with drainage holes to reduce slipping.

Tip: A towel on the seat increases comfort.
Get a padded vinyl waterproof seat for increased comfort, especially if person is frail or has delicate skin.

Tip: A towel on the seats reduces slipperiness of wet vinyl.
A seat cut-out allows cleaning personal areas without standing, but it requires good sitting posture to avoid sliding into the cut-out, especially on padded seats.
A caddy for a hand held shower, soap and shampoo adds convenience.

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Narration:

Transfer benches make getting into the tub easier and safer, reducing the chances of a fall. Sliding across a transfer bench is much safer than stepping over the tub wall. Many styles are available from which to choose – including the one illustrated here, with two legs that sit on the tub floor and two that sit on the floor outside the tub. Transfer benches can used in showers, depending on the size, if the person is having difficulty climbing over the shower curb.

For helpful tips, place your cursor over the key safety features.

If the tub has sliding doors you'll need to remove them to make room for the person and the transfer bench.

Photo Courtesy of Creative Specialties International, a Division of Moen.