Safety and home
Shower chair
A shower chair is a waterproof seat for use in a shower or tub. It lets a person sit while bathing, which lowers the risk of a fall from standing on a wet floor. Some have backs, arms and adjustable legs.
Why it matters for your family
Bathing takes balance and strength, and many falls happen in the bathroom. A shower chair helps a person who tires or gets dizzy. The National Institute on Aging recommends a plastic shower stool and a hand-held shower head for home safety with Alzheimer's. AARP says Original Medicare typically does not pay for bathtub seats. A common mistake is to buy one that does not fit the tub or shower. Measure the space and check weight limits. Another is to skip grab bars and rely on the chair alone. A caregiver can help with bathing and hygiene, and the chair makes this safer for both.
Source: aarp.org
Read more: Personal and advanced care
Related terms
- Grab barsGrab bars are sturdy handles fixed to a wall, usually in a bathroom, that give a person something solid to hold when standing, sitting or stepping.
- BathingBathing, as an activity of daily living, means washing the body by sponge bath, tub, or shower, and getting in and out safely.
- Fall preventionFall prevention is the set of steps that lower the chance an older adult will fall.
- Walk-in tubA walk-in tub is a bathtub with a watertight door in its side, so a person can step in instead of climbing over a high wall.
- Raised toilet seatA raised toilet seat is a seat added on top of a toilet to make it higher.
- Home modificationsHome modifications are changes to a house that make it safer and easier to use for an older adult or a person with a disability.
