Tips, Ideas, and Product Features
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. The right transfer bench can increase the comfort, safety, and hygiene of the person you care for and - as a bonus – be 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 transfer benches are equal – some features are safer than others and some benches will not fit into the person's tub or bathroom.
 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.
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The Basics |
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| • | Most transfer benches come with adjustable legs. For freestanding benches, adjust the legs outside the tub to match the level of those resting on the tub floor (which can be 1 to 3 inches higher) to make the bench itself level. |
| • | Make sure the bench/chair will fit both into the room and tub. |
| • | Measure the person's tub wall height to see if the transfer bench will fit. If the tub walls are too high, ask the manufacturer if their bench can be used with extender legs. |
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The Right Fit for Smaller Bathrooms |
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For small bathrooms, consider using one of the following.
1. Standard transfer bench with four legs and a stationary seat
Many transfer benches come with a reversible back so that the chair can be positioned in the bathtub either way. For example, in a small cramped bathroom, you may want to have the person face the opposite wall. Simply removing the seat back and inserting it into the opposite slot may provide more room in which you and the person can move around. A few extra inches can make a big difference.
2. Tub-mounted chair with a sliding, swiveling seat.
One side mounts on the tub rim and the other side is supported by two legs that sit on the tub floor.
The seat swivels 90 degrees, allowing an easier entry. The tub mounted chair pictured here comes with a back and a seat belt. (not shown)
TIP When sliding the seat, you may have to lift the outside end to get it started.
If the tub rim is curved: Check if the tub-mounted chair will fit safely on a curved rim. Some won't.
Options may include
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| • | A padded seat |
| • | A bidet-like water spray in the seat to help cleanse personal areas. Just be careful the water isn't too hot for these delicate areas – you may need to reduce the water temperature a bit.
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| SAFETY WISE: Though the seat slides, it still requires considerable caregiver strength to move it with a person sitting on it if the person cannot help. |
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The Right Fit for Larger Bathrooms |
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If you have ample floor space, you may find a four-leg transfer bench with a sliding seat very helpful.
But, if your tub is an old-fashioned clawfoot tub, check with the manufacturer first before you buy, as many transfer benches cannot be used with tubs walls over 18 or 20 inches high.
Due to its length (approximately 38 inches), the sliding seat comes all the way into the room space and, for some individuals, that makes getting onto the seat easier.
Tips For Use
- The "locks" on these benches, which are really plastic clamps, can make a loud jarring sound when they snap into place if not done gently, which can be upsetting to the person. (It was to us during our testing!)
- Be careful when lifting the person's legs so you clear the tub wall; otherwise you will bump the person's foot on the wall, which can be jarring. (This happened to us and it wasn't pleasant).
SAFETY WISE: Though the seat slides, it still requires considerable caregiver strength to move it with a person sitting on it if the person cannot help.
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Before You Buy – 7 Questions to Ask |
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1. Does the shower or tub have sliding doors?
If the tub has sliding doors, you'll need to replace them with a shower curtain to make room for the person and the chair. In fact, we generally recommend removing sliding doors because they can be dangerous. For example, a person can be injured using the door's towel bar as a grab bar if the door pulls out of its channels.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Does the person have very limited movement?
Keep in mind that you can easily injure yourself physically lifting someone. If the person cannot slide over on the chair or transfer bench, purchase one with a sliding seat. It's much easier and safer to use a sliding seat than to lift someone, though the sliding seat still requires considerable caregiver strength to move with a person sitting on it.
5. Does the person weigh over 250?
Check to see if the chair can support your care receiver's weight (many can hold up to 250 or 300 lbs). If not, you'll need to purchase a bariatric chair.
6. How much assembly is required?
Unless you purchase from a local home health store, most transfer benches require assembly. 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, as they can often deliver a fully assembled transfer bench.
7. How do you keep the floor dry?
Most seats come with a slot into which you can insert the shower curtain to prevent water from splashing onto the floor, but you'll need to carefully tuck the curtain around the chair or make cuts in the shower curtain for a good fit.
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Specialty Vendors |
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There are many transfer benches on the market today that can be purchased easily at local home health supply stores or online. The listing below is only for specialty products that are not readily available.
TIP Before buying, 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.
Free Standing Transfer Benches w/Sliding & Swiveling Seats – Large Bathrooms
Cost: $135 - $300, depending on features
Manufacturer: Duromed
http://www.mabisdmi.com/
Manufactufer: Eagle Health
http://www.eaglehealth.com
Tub Mounted Bath Chairs w/Sliding & Swiveling Seats – Small Bathrooms
Cost: $280 to $350, depending on features
Manufacturer: Eagle Health
http://www.eaglehealth.com
Manufacturer: Duromed
http://www.mabisdmi.com/
Manufacturer PMC, LLC
(model with optional seat hygiene spray)
http://www.versabath.com
TIP Some tub mounted models require flat tub rims. Check with the manufacturer before buying if you have a curved tub rim.
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