Orthopedic chairs - Shower seat or chair

A shower seat is a special kind of chair that is used in the bathroom to enable anyone who has trouble standing up or balancing to take a shower whilst sitting down.

Shower seats can take a number of forms from a basic buffet like seat, without armrests or a backrest, to a more complete chair like seat.

Shower seats are made specifically for the showering task and they are manufactured from water resistant and anti-corrosive materials that make them suitable for a wet environment. Their use is popular with the elderly, those with mobility problems and people who suffer from aliments like arthritis.

Types of shower seat

The shower seat comes in two general formats. The first is a four legged independently movable seat that can be set in position when someone needs to use it and then moved out of the shower cubicle or wet room zone when not in use.

The second type of shower seat is one that is fixed to one of the shower area’s walls. This type of seat cannot be moved, however in most cases these fixed shower seats can be folded against the wall when not in use.

Movable shower seats

Most movable shower seats have the appearance of a buffet with no backrest or armrests. The omission of these components removes the obstructions that they would otherwise cause during washing where access to the back, legs and sides of the body are required. It also makes any washing or personal hygiene requirements that are administered by a third party easier to provide.

Another feature of these special shower chairs are special non slip pads attached to the bases of each of the legs. These pads prevent the chair from moving or sliding in a wet environment and they keep the person seated on it stable and safe.

Fixed shower seating

Fixed shower seats are more popular that the mobile alternatives because they are mechanically held in place (i.e. screwed to the wall). This makes it impossible for them to slide or move and they also provide a firm base for lowering or lifting oneself on to or off the chair.

Most fixed shower seats will fold flat against the wall to which they are attached. When they are required for use they lift up (or down) and two front legs extend downwards to provide the frontal support. These seats are always waterproof and they are totally suitable for the showering purpose.

Many shower chairs have special seat designs that incorporate holes or open sections to allow the instantaneous drainage of water and to enable the seat to dry off rapidly.

Most shower seats do not have padding, however some do, and those that do not can be supplemented by using a bathroom cushion or waterproof seating pad. Both will provide additional comfort.

The height at which a fixed shower seat is fitted may be determined by the front leg length, however some models offer adjustable height legs and this allows a further degree of customisation.

Once folded against the shower room wall a fixed shower seat should not provide an obstacle to any able bodied person wishing to take a shower independently.

For general information about multi purpose or function bathroom chairs see this page.