Orthopedic chairs - Bathroom seat or stool

The bathroom seat or stool is distinct from the more specialised shower seat which is a chair intended for use in the shower under running water and in slippery conditions.

A more general bathroom seat has some of the properties of a shower seat in that it is waterproof, resilient and has none slip bases to its legs, however this kind of seat is much more multi-purpose.

A bathroom chair will have four legs and it will not be fixed to a wall like some shower seats. This means that it can be moved around and positioned where required. It can also be removed from the bathroom when it is not required, or when other people (who do not need a chair) use the bathroom.

Applications

For many people, including those who are elderly, those who are unstable on their legs, and those who find it hard to bend over, having a seat or stool in the bathroom can be of great assistance.

Anyone with arthritis, stiff joints or muscular weakness may find bending over a wash basin to brush their teeth or wipe their face very challenging. If this is the case the obvious solution is to perform these tasks from a seated position and this is where a bathroom seat can be helpful.

Bathroom seats can be used whilst washing or satisfying other hygiene requirements, whilst waiting for a bath to fill, or during grooming or drying off. Most activities that healthy able bodied people perform whilst standing up can be done equally well from a sitting position and this is where the bathroom seat fulfils a need.

Like a shower chair, a bathroom chair can be very basic in the form of a simple stool or buffet, or it can have a backrest and armrests. The extra features add to the chairs comfort, but they also restrict movement when it comes to turning, reaching or stretching sideways.

The more expensive bathroom chairs will have perforated or drain-away seats and these chairs can be used during showering.

Other information

Bathroom chairs are made from non corrosive materials, primarily metal and plastic, and they have lightweight tubular frames that make them strong but easy to move.

The design of a bathroom chair ensures that it fits in with the utilities and appliances found in a bathroom and it normally has a functional and minimalist appearance.

The best selection of bathroom chairs can normally be found from online chair stores. They are much harder to source from high street retailers.