Any time you’re more mature, recovering from surgical treatment, or managing a chronic health issues, showers might be exhausting—it may be difficult to muster the power to face long ample to scrub by yourself. Shower chairs will help.

“We’ll recommend a shower chair that can help conserve energy, due to the fact for any large amount of people, showers could be actually taxing,” states Renee Makin, an occupational therapist situated in Culver Town, California. “People start to avoid showering because it’s hard for them. And often it may be scary due to the fact a lot of folks have falls within the shower. So if you can equip them with something that’s durable, they’ll truly feel a little a lot more cozy.”

To recognize the very best shower chairs, the Forbes Overall health editorial team analyzed data on solutions built by eighteen different businesses, contemplating regular price, highest weight potential, user rankings and a lot more. Read more to find out more about the different sorts of shower chairs offered, essential attributes to look for and which shower chairs attained our suggestions.











Methodology
To find out the top shower chairs, the Hallowaid Health editorial crew analyzed data on approximately 120 goods from 18 various corporations, rating them depending on factors which include:

Common rate
Optimum body weight ability
Comfort and ease and security capabilities, such as fastened armrests, padding and non-slip grips
Frame substance
Typical user scores
Variety of opinions
Precisely what is a Shower Chair?
A shower chair is a water-resistant chair made for anyone to sit down on though they’re within the shower. It can help them “be safer and more independent with showering,” suggests Brandy Archie, an occupational therapist and founding director of AccessAble Residing in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. These chairs are especially beneficial for folks enduring long lasting or short term mobility difficulties, and also people who find movement painful.

Most shower chairs have rubberized, non-slip ft, and they’re suitable for basic safety in damp circumstances. Some have backrests to deliver more support. A lot of have armrests on either side, and people who don’t are created to be gripped on the edges.

Different types of Shower Chairs
There are lots of different types of shower chairs. Underneath are the preferred choices.

Folding Shower Stool
These stools, which might be held up by 4 rubberized feet, don’t have armrests or supply any guidance on the back again. They’re ideal for people who find themselves fairly mobile, says Makin. “I typically don’t advocate them for incredibly many people,” she adds. However, they can be an inexpensive option for those who require just a little bit of extra aid during the shower. For example, they may be a valuable Device for people who battle to stability on a single leg when shaving.

Regular Shower Chair
These chairs function 4 rubberized ft, a broad seat, a backrest and armrests. Conventional shower chairs give a lot of assistance and House, suggests Makin. She commonly endorses this sort.

Rolling Shower Chair
Very similar to standard shower chairs, rolling shower chairs have wheels, a handy attribute for people with mobility desires and who, by way of example, use wheelchairs. The wheels lock into location, which makes certain they don’t move all over although anyone is using the chair, but individuals that use them however should be mindful on damp surfaces.

Bariatric Shower Chair
These conventional shower chairs are especially built for those who weigh over three hundred kilos. “They’re a complete great deal far more long lasting” than other chairs, suggests Karen Koch, an occupational therapist and certified getting older-in-area expert located in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Fold-Down Shower Chair
These chairs are completely put in in a very shower and possess two rubberized toes. The chair again is often connected to your shower wall. If multiple individual within a domestic employs the shower, a chair could possibly get in just how of the person who doesn’t need to have it, states Koch. Fold-down chairs “are good due to the fact that way, the people who require them have usage of them, along with the individuals who don’t can just flip them up [and] outside of the way in which,” she says.

Transfer Bench
People with Serious constraints usually get pleasure from transfer benches, which might be generally further extended shower chairs. Two of the legs are positioned inside the tub or shower Place whilst one other two continue to be outside the house, delivering superb aid for getting into and exiting the shower. “Instead of needing to step to the bathtub, you can sit to the bench, swing your toes in to the tub and just slide about,” says Koch.

Advantages of a Shower Chair
Shower chairs are commonly made use of at your home and in senior residing amenities, such as nursing houses.

In your own home, shower chairs assistance seniors maintain independence, says Makin. They offer comfort—and make showering a lot less Terrifying—though decreasing the risk of falls or other bathroom accidents.

Those who take website advantage of shower chairs, In line with Makin, include things like:

Seniors
People with Serious illnesses or who get in need of breath
Individuals with mobility issues
Those with equilibrium problems
Individuals who get really fatigued
Shower chairs deliver users with stability, as well as a spot to sit when they increase worn out in the shower.

Features to contemplate When Purchasing a Shower Chair
There are a variety of features to take into consideration When selecting a shower chair. If you have a disability or specific diagnosis, Archie indicates consulting an occupational therapist so that you can be sure you pick the appropriate chair for yourself. Below are a few attributes to search for in a very shower chair.

Total Dimension
People today generally ignore to examine no matter whether a shower chair will fit within their space, claims Makin. Prior to purchasing a single, evaluate the ground within your shower or tub To make certain you’re getting the proper dimensions.

In this article’s a idea if you’re unsure whether or not your shower chair matches: Do its feet sit flat on the floor without Using up on to the curves wherever the shower ground fulfills the wall? The chair really should generally be one hundred% on flat ground, says Archie.

Top Adjustability
It’s imperative that you receive a check here shower chair that’s peak-adjustable. “A number of people are tall and a number of people are quick, so you need to be able to adjust the chair peak so the person can sit back to the chair,” claims Koch. When sitting on a shower chair, your feet should hit the floor—they shouldn’t dangle over, she adds.

Pounds Ability
Some shower chairs have excess weight restrictions. For those who weigh much more than three hundred pounds, for example, you’ll probable should buy a bariatric shower chair.

Mounted website Assist
Think carefully regarding your Bodily strengths and weaknesses to determine which kind of shower chair you will need. Koch normally suggests armrests and backrests, because these characteristics provide an extra feeling of stability.

Just how much Does a Shower Chair Price tag?
Most shower chairs Expense all-around $50, but costs can exceed $300, claims Makin. “In terms of professional medical tools goes, it’s pretty economical,” she states.

You don’t have to go to a health care tools shop to obtain a shower chair—you may only purchase one particular on the net. Makin suggests men and women on a good price range Examine Goodwill shops or other thrift shops, as you can sometimes find a person Using these suppliers for a discounted rate.

At CVS, you can obtain a shower stool for $29.99 and a significant-obligation sliding transfer bench for $329.ninety nine. A bariatric chair that has a backrest fees $129.ninety nine.

In your own home Depot, a shower chair having a backrest prices $79.ninety " nine, as well as a fold-up Variation fees $129.ninety nine. Meanwhile, a shower stool charges $34.ninety eight.

And at RehabMart, a typical shower chair which has a backrest fees $a hundred thirty.97 even though a rolling Variation fees $250.twenty.

Does Insurance coverage Deal with a Shower Chair?
Medicare typically doesn’t include shower chairs. Even so, some Medicare Advantage programs deal with more than-the-counter provides, which could involve rest room security products. Look at along with your system.

“Well being insurance plan handles things for One's body and never factors to change your natural environment,” claims Archie, incorporating that the majority of non-public insurance plan designs don’t address shower chairs. However, When you have lengthy-term treatment insurance plan, it’s attainable to get reimbursed When your system allows for protection for residence modifications. Shower chairs can also be read more paid for having a health and fitness financial savings account (HSA) or flexible paying account (FSA).