Shower Chair with Arms: 10 Models Elderly And Handicapped Will Love
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As one gets older, there are a lot of changes that they need to make to their life, along with realizing how important some things were first taken for granted.
Showering independently is one of those. Older adults and people with injuries or disabilities find it challenging to shower all on their own, considering the risks involved. Washrooms are wet, slippery, and tight spaces where falling and getting hit by something is common and can lead to fatality as well.
For this reason, shower chairs of all kinds have so much importance. In this article, we review some of the best shower chairs with arms to make it easy for your elderly parents, grandparents, or any disabled family member to pick one for themselves.
Table of Contents
1. Tub and Shower Chair with Removable Back Rest
Bathing and showering can take up a lot of your time, which is why an older adult’s body might get tired or uncomfortable sitting on a chair without a backrest. Therefore, this Tub and Shower Chair by Duro-Med stands out as one of the best products in the market. An ideal feature of this chair is its removable backrest, which gives you the freedom to remove it when not needed, easily.
Moreover, disabled individuals will find this lightweight chair useful since it has a tool-free assembly design. You will not need any hardware tools or special equipment to install it. Plus, it comes with an instructional manual that guides you on how to use the chair, remove the backrest, and maintain it.
It also features a low-profile, subtle design with a wide seat and backrest, and sophisticated silver arms and legs. Safety and security with this chair are also guaranteed, considering the non-slip rubber feet that will keep it stable in one place. The chair itself weighs about 13 pounds but can accommodate up to 350 pounds of weight. Versatility and durability are words to describe this unit.
The silver-colored armrests and the legs are made with high-grade aluminum and are resistant to rust and corrosion. It is undoubtedly a value-added model
Pros
- Rust-resistant aluminum frame
- Backrest is removable
- Rubber feet to ensure stability and safety
- Has an adjustable height
- The seat has drain holes
Cons
- Poor quality control
2. Drive Medical Premium Series Shower Chair
If you are looking to buy a shower chair, mobility and portability should be on top of your requirements. This is precisely what the Drive Medical shower chair provides you. It has an innovative design comprising a comfortable seat that fits all shapes and sizes.
It has a tool-free removable back that can be dismantled to reduce the weight and carry around more easily. Also, the legs and the arms can be removed without a tool and make it easy to pack away, store and transport.
Further, the chair weighs around 11.6 pounds and can support up to 350 lbs. of weight, which is much higher than the average weight of an older adult. It has a clear and visible height indicator, which makes it easy and quick to increase or decrease the height to a level that matches your comfort.
It comprises non-slip rubber feet, which are the base of the grip that holds the chair in one place and prevents movement. This decreases the chance of the chair slipping while sitting or getting up with the support of the handgrips.
Pros
- State-of-the-art comfort seat design for all shapes and sizes
- Easily adjustable height with a visible indicator
- Non-slip rubber feet to prevent the chair from moving
- Lightweight design and stable legs
- Maximum recommended weight of up to 350 lbs.
Cons
- Low build quality
3. Health Line Massage Products Shower Chair Bath Seat Bench
One thing that makes any shower chair a worthy product is the brand’s reliability. This is why the Health Line shower chair is a decent product on the market since it is a leading household and health product brand.
This shower chair has a bench-like shape and design, featuring armrests and a backrest as well. The structure of the chair makes it ideal for particularly older people who need support to prevent fatigue.
It has a robust aluminum construction that will last for a long time with its corrosion-resistant quality. This means that you will invest your money in the right product. Moreover, the legs of the chair also have an adjustable height so that it can fit with most showers and user needs. The chair also has strong and sturdy rubber pads that prevent slipping.
A notable feature of the chair is its extra-wide seat. The seat gives it a bench-like look, while the armrests have rubber grips for ensuring a safe and convenient user experience. The legs of the chair are also wide-angled. As a result, there is greater stability.
If you are an environmentally-conscious person and need something that is made with care, this PE/HDE friendly chair is your pick. The materials used for its backrest and seat are degradable, environmentally safe, and, most importantly, cause no skin irritation!
The backrest of the seat also has a hole that you can use to carry the chair or move it around conveniently. The chair has a weight capacity of about 300 lbs., while it weighs no more than 9 pounds. The assembly time for the chair is also 5 minutes.
Pros
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Extra-wide seat to accommodate broader people
- Adjustable height of the legs
- Draining holes to ensure no water build-up
- Environmentally friendly, FDA approved
Cons
- Wobbles when you stand up from it
4. Medline Shower Chair Bath Seat
In old age, even taking a shower can be dangerous because of everything being so slippery. A little lack of attention can hurt and cause long-term injury. While keeping this in mind, the Medline Shower Chair is designed to provide maximum support to the older adults.
The primary purpose this chair serves is to make sure that taking a shower should be a comforting experience, rather than a nuisance. With its padded armrests and a backrest, this chair is an ideal option for people who require assistance while sitting or getting up.
The padded hand grips provide comfort and reduce any slipping. Moreover, the chair has non-slip rubber feet to resist any kind of smooth movement on the bathroom floor or bathtub.
The feet of the chair are also easily adjustable for height so that you can set it according to your preference. It is made out of a sturdy aluminum frame, making it bear extra weight. The chair can support up to 350 lbs. It can be easily assembled without any tool, which makes the assembly quick and easy. You can just follow the instructions given on the manual, and it’ll be set up in no time.
Pros
- Adjustable height with push buttons
- Padded armrest for comfort
- Non-slip rubber feet to prevent any slipping
- A backrest for additional support
Cons
- Not highly durable
5. HEALTHLINE Transfer Bench
Individuals who use a shower tub will find it difficult to transfer in and out of the tub due to the limited mobility. For this reason, a transfer seat/bench such as this one by HEALTHLINE is a necessity.
The transfer bench features an extra-wide seat with drainage holes, and has a capacity of holding up to 500 pounds of weight! This capacity is more than what we see in other products, making it one of the best on the market. In addition to this, the bench also features adjustability of height, allowing it to accommodate taller people as well.
The most impressive feature of the bench is the suction cups at the feet. These suck the air and get sturdily attached to the floor, making the patient feel a lot more secure and safe. Older people who are worried about showering in a tub will find this very beneficial.
The aluminum frame construction of the bench ensures durability. Plus, the frame is coated with rust-resistant powder.
Pros
- Extra-wide seat
- Large weight capacity
- Easy entry and exit to the bathtub
- Rubber non-slip pads and suction cups
Cons
- Item weighs relatively more.
6. Essential Medical Supply Shower and Bath Bench
Those looking for a chair that they can use other than just for showering purposes would find this chair by Essential Medical Supply impressive. The chair features an intelligent design that allows you to remove or reattach armrests according to your convenience easily. The armrests are also padded, giving the user greater comfort and relaxation.
Furthermore, the chair also has a sleek and sophisticated finish. It has matte silver legs and arms, along with a simple white-colored seat and backrest. You also have the freedom to choose between a model with a backrest and a model without it. The backrest also has a hollow space where you can put your hand and drag the chair around easily. This makes the product portable and travel-friendly as well!
Moving on to how safe the chair is, it has rubber suction cups at the bottom that stick to the ground and make the person sitting in it safe and secure. With the rubber armrests and rubber suction cups, an elderly can easily use these to push themselves up from the chair.
There are six levels of the leg’s height. Overall, the chair itself weighs no more than 11 pounds but can hold up to 300 lbs.
Pros
- Suction cups for ensuring stability
- Fully removable armrests and backrest
- Padded armrests for additional comfort
- Drainage holes to prevent a build-up
- Portable design, lightweight
Cons
- White-colored or the same colored parts may cause difficulty for visually impaired.
7. Vaunn Medical Tool-Free Assembly Spa Bathtub Shower Lift Chair
All people that are at a fall-risk in the shower, whether elderly or handicapped, should be able to take advantage of this Vaunn Medical shower lift chair. It has an incredibly versatile design, featuring an overall weight of 9.1 pounds, which is how the average lightweight shower chair should weigh. Also, the weight capacity of this chair is 250 lbs.
Additionally, the chair features a wide seat that measures 20.5 inches, with a contoured design that provides extra support and comfort. The seat is constructed with polystyrene and has drainage holes that guarantee irritation-free skin and minimal slip risks.
It also has arms with a rail-like design, allowing adjustability. It also has a sturdy grip. Featuring an anodized aluminum frame, this product will ensure the bang for your buck, considering its longevity. The same aluminum-constructed legs are also adjustable with a height range of 16 to 21 inches. They also have non-slip rubber pads measuring 2 inches in width.
The backrest of the chair is also removable, so you can easily remove it when it’s not needed, so the extra weight is taken off of the chair.
Pros
- Tool-free assembly saves time
- Guaranteed safety with non-slip rubber pads
- Adjustable height range of the legs
- Strong grip armrests
- Sturdy and comfortable backrest
Cons
- The backrest can get loose.
8. Medline Momentum Shower Chai
This shower chair by Medline stands out in the market due to its extraordinary design. A unique feature of this chair is its cushioned black seat, with a cushioned back/headrest and cushioned armrests. Keep in mind that the cushioned chair is fully removable so that you can clean the chair easily and prevent any water build-up beneath.
When it comes to the hygiene of the cushioned seat, the seat is made with microban protection that will prevent bacteria build-up and hence guarantee hygiene.
This chair is their ultimate solution for people who have back issues and are prescribed by the doctor to not sit on hard plastic surfaces. The backrest is there for additional support, as well as the armrests that you can use to lift yourself from the seat.
A great thing about this chair is that it has a sleek design that makes it suitable for other purposes than showering. It can be carried out in the lounge and used to sit on it too.
Other features of the chair include non-slip rubber feet and adjustable height of the legs. It weighs about 13.8 pounds and has a weight capacity of 250 pounds. The armrests are also removable along with the seat. The chair has an aluminum frame with a sleek and sophisticated shiny silver finish that further makes this an aesthetically pleasing chair!
Pros
- Cushioned seat good for people with back pains
- Ergonomic backrest design
- Aluminum construction for durability
- Anti-bacterial quality of the cushioned seat
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Heavier than other products
9. Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench with Swivel Seat
The biggest challenge for people with limited mobility is when they have to shower in a tub, due to the huge step they need to take to get in or out of the shower. Transfer chairs are widely popular amongst such patients or elderly persons due to the benefits and convenience they offer.
This carousel sliding bench features a cushioned, vibrant blue seat that smoothly slides over from one end of the rail to another. This is very effortless and requires minimal force from the person. Another essential benefit of buying from this brand is that it is well-reputed in the healthcare industry and supply these amazing shower chairs to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Furthermore, the seat is cushioned and padded, which adds exceptional comfort. As a result, it is suitable for patients with spinal issues.
A unique feature that we found in this product is the pivoting armrests. The armrests can pivot up and down according to your need and comfort. This gives greater control over how they want to sit. These armrests also lock in the place that you put them in. This means that the user will be able to put pressure on these armrests and get up easily.
There is a lot of thought and care put into the design of this chair. The vibrant blue cushions and armrests stand out and do not blend in with the backgrounds or the rest of the chair exterior. As a result, this is a highly recommended chair for people with visual impairments and disabilities.
Pros
- Rubber, non-slip feet
- Vibrant blue colored cushioned seat
- Pivoting armrests
- Valuable brand reliability
Cons
- It weighs 21.2 pounds.
10. Medokare Shower Chair with Rails
Another great product that we have on our list is the Medokare shower chair with rails. The shower chair is a complete package and has a lot to offer to its buyers.
Most prominently, the chair is an excellent product for people with visual disabilities or the elderly with poor vision. This is due to the blue colored seat that makes it stand out from the rest of the chair and the surroundings. The seat features drainage holes, along with full padding, to guarantee comfort.
Other than the padded seat, the backrest also adds more comfort to the chair. Plus, the backrest is removable and, therefore, can be taken off easily. The chair comes with easy assembly, so whether you have assistance or need to use it on your own, it will be rather convenient.
The aluminum-made arm rails are ideal for support along with durable grips. Other essential features of this chair include rubber feet to prevent slipping and adjustable height. When it comes to the value of money, this chair undoubtedly excels. It comes as a complete package, including a tote bag for storing washroom items.
To further add to this amazing chair, it is essential to mention that the chair only weighs for about 8.4 pounds, while holding up to 250 pounds. It is extraordinarily lightweight and, therefore, one of the best choices for older adults.
Pros
- Exceptionally lightweight, easy to carry
- Vibrant and prominent blue seat
- Padded seat for extra comfort
- Backrest is removable
Cons
- The seat might not be wide enough
What features to look for in a shower chair?
If you are out on a hunt for the best shower chair, there will be some important considerations you will have to make. Make sure to check through the following features and aspects in a shower chair to make the right choice.
We have listed some essential features that you should be looking for in the best shower chair with arms for elderly and disabled people.
Adjustability
Most of the chairs reviewed in this article feature adjustable legs and armrests. This allows the chair to accommodate people of various heights. Your legs should be at a 90-degree angle from the chair for comfort and excellent support. So, adjustable height can help you achieve that position easily.
Weight capacity
All chairs have different weight capacities. You should be aware of how much you weigh and check the chair’s capacity accordingly. There should be some margin left in case your weight changes.
Construction quality
The best quality of shower chairs is made with aluminum. This aluminum should be of higher grade quality and should be resistant to rust. Some chairs also come with a powder coating that prevents the chair from corrosion. Since these chairs are in constant contact with water, construction quality plays an imperative role.
Portability
As discussed later on, the benefit of shower chairs is portability. They allow the user to take the chair with them to someplace else and shower conveniently. Also, these chairs need to be moved around within the washroom as well as in the house. For this reason, check whether or not the chair has a carry handle, and how much it weighs. The heavier the chair will be, the harder it will be to carry it.
Non-slip safety
The biggest reason why older adults use shower chairs is the fall and slip risk involved in showering. Bathrooms are slippery and need reasonable control over your body and feet to prevent falls.
So, if you are buying a shower chair for this reason, safety from slipping is vital. Non-slip rubber pads are commonly found in most shower chairs. Some good chairs also feature suction cups. These are a lot more reliable as they attach to the surface tightly.
There are also chairs and shower seats that get attached to the wall. This non-slip safety is also helpful when you are either sitting or getting up from the seat, as the body movements or pressure can easily jolt the chair out of its position.
Why do people use shower chairs?
The primary users of shower chairs, transfer benches, and seats are older adults and people with disabilities or permanent or temporary injuries.
Many incidents of older adults getting injured or falling happen at home, particularly in washrooms due to the slippery floors and small spaces. Meanwhile, disabled people have limited mobility and can face inconvenience in climbing in or out of the tub and so on.
Every year, the CDC reports that elder Americans face falls in the bathroom, resulting in significant injuries. Small daily tasks are often taken for granted by us, but as one ages and develops limited physical mobility, things as simple as going to the restroom become dangerous. Along with other changes older adults make in their lives, shower chairs are also one of them.
Due to this reason, a lot of people use shower chairs. Here are some benefits and uses of shower chairs:
More independence for the elderly and handicapped
If you are a young person, with an elder parent, grandparent at home, or a disabled family member to look after, you will understand how vital independence for these people is. They would enjoy being able to shower on their own with security and peace of mind. It is also suitable for those taking care of them as they can rely on the chairs too.
Better hygiene
Many people refuse to shower frequently due to the risk factor involved. Also, because they are dependent on someone else, they avoid showering regularly. With a shower chair that ensures comfort and ease, they can be more willing to shower and therefore ensure better hygiene.
Allows therapeutic showers
Physical issues like arthritis, swollen joints, stretched muscles, or general joint pains are given relief through hot showers. Doctors recommend sitting in a tub of hot water for extended periods to find short-term relief from bodily pains. Such pains exist widely in disabled and older adults.
However, without shower chairs, they might be unable to, or reluctant to get in the tubs for more extended periods. Here is where shower chairs play an essential role.
Portability
Older people, especially grandparents and people who need to visit their grandchildren, siblings, or extended family, can benefit significantly from shower chairs. They are lightweight and portable, allowing you to carry them with you anywhere and continue showering conveniently.
Asking your therapists
As an elderly or a disabled person, you must visit a chiropractor or a therapist for treatment or pain relief. They understand your body better and know how every joint and every muscle works.
The stiffness in your back or your joint pains need to be a huge consideration when you are buying a shower chair. We strongly recommend that you consult with your therapist before you buy a chair. They know what kind of support your body needs, and therefore can help you pick any one best shower chair.
Conclusion
To sum up the article, we hope to have listed down some appropriate options for you. All the above-reviewed shower chairs have unique features that make them the best chairs to cater to all your needs. There are a lot of other types of shower chairs, including chairs that stick to the wall or those without armrests.
The final choice depends on your preference and your budget as well. However, make sure to go through the earlier mentioned features so you can make an informed decision.
Lastly, we also highly recommend seeing a therapist or doctor if you don’t already see one for special conditions. Different pains in different areas of the body need proper support. A quick consultation with your therapist will always be helpful.