Shower Chairs and Stools: How to Choose

Who benefits from a shower seat

Consider a seat if your parent:

• tires, becomes breathless or feels dizzy when standing for a few minutes;
• has had a fall, near-fall or a fracture;
• has weak legs, knee or hip arthritis, or has had a joint replacement;
• has Parkinson's disease, stroke weakness or balance problems;
• has poor eyesight, or neuropathy that dulls feeling in the feet;
• uses a walker or stick elsewhere in the home;
• is fine on dry floors but nervous on wet ones.

Someone with dementia may also benefit, but they may not remember how to use it, so supervision is needed. A person who cannot sit upright unaided, or who has very poor trunk control, may need a more supportive seat or a commode-style shower chair; see shower seat, bath bench or commode.

Types of shower seat

Stool. A simple seat with four legs and no back. It is light, compact and cheap. It suits a person with good trunk balance who needs to rest while washing. It is not enough for those who lean sideways or backwards.

Chair with backrest. A seat with a back gives support to the spine and a feeling of security. Backrests are usually better for people with weak core muscles. Some have a low back and others a full back.

Chair with backrest and arms. Armrests help a person push up to stand and lower to sit, and give something to hold while washing. Some arms fold up or swing away so the person can slide sideways onto the seat from the bathtub edge or a wheelchair.

Folding or wall-mounted seat. A seat hinged to the wall that folds flat when not in use. It saves space in a small bathroom, but needs a wall that can take a person's weight and usually has a lower weight limit than a floor-standing chair. It cannot be moved around.

Corner seat. A triangular seat designed to fit into a shower corner.

Shower stool with a cut-out. A seat with an opening that allows washing of the private parts. Useful for personal care when a carer is helping.

Padded or moulded seat. A cushioned seat is warmer and more comfortable, particularly for thin people. Check that the padding drains and dries and does not become mouldy.

Shower commode chair. A wheeled chair that can be pushed over a toilet and into a shower, used by those who need help. It is a different level of equipment; see the commode chair guide.

For an actual tub, a bath transfer bench may be better than a free-standing shower chair.

Seat height: the most important measurement

An adjustable chair lets you set the seat to the person's height. As a rule:

• With the person sitting, their feet should be flat on the floor and their knees at about a right angle or slightly above the hips.
• The seat should not be so high that their feet dangle; they must be able to place their feet to stand.
• It should not be so low that rising takes a lot of effort. A low seat is a common reason for falls on standing.

Typical adjustable seats range from about 35 to 55 cm. Measure from the floor to the back of your parent's knee while they sit with feet flat, and use that measure to set the chair. Most chairs adjust in steps by pushing a button on each leg and clicking into a hole. Check that all four legs are set to the same hole, and that each pin has clicked fully into place; a half-engaged pin can collapse.

Seat size and weight limit

• Width. A seat about 40 to 50 cm across suits many adults, but broader seats are available for larger bodies. The person should not feel squeezed or perched on the edge.
• Depth. About 35 to 45 cm. Too deep means the person cannot place their back against the backrest, and too shallow gives poor thigh support.
• Weight capacity. Choose a chair rated well above your parent's weight, as the force of sitting down suddenly is higher than static weight. Many standard chairs are rated for about 100 to 135 kg; heavy-duty chairs go higher. Check the label and do not rely on appearance.
• Total footprint. Check that the chair, including its legs, fits the shower area. A bulky chair in a tiny shower may be pushed against the wall and leave no room for the carer.

Safety features to look for

• Wide, ribbed rubber feet, or suction-style feet, which grip the wet floor. Check they are firm and not worn.
• A seat with drainage holes or a slatted design, so water runs off and the seat does not stay wet and slippery.
• Textured or non-slip seat surface.
• Rounded edges with no sharp or rough points where skin could rub.
• Rust-free materials. Aluminium with a good coating is light and resists rust in humid homes. Powder-coated steel is sturdy but heavier. Plastic seats are easy to clean but check the load rating.
• Stable, non-rocking base. Rock the chair on a flat floor with a hand pressing on the seat. It should not wobble or twist.
• A seat that tilts or slopes in some models, to help with standing up. A therapist can say if this is right.
• Handles for carers at the back for moving the chair.

Fitting it into an Indian bathroom

Indian bathrooms bring some particular challenges:

• Sloping floors. The floor usually slopes toward a drain. A chair with fixed legs will tilt on a slope. Look for a chair with adjustable legs set individually, or set it at the flatter end of the floor. Check the seat is level using a small spirit level or by eye.
• Bucket and mug bathing. Many people bathe with a bucket and mug. A seated person can do this with a low stool for the bucket or a handheld shower. See handheld showers. Place the bucket where the person does not have to twist or lean out of the seat.
• Small bathrooms. Make sure the door can still close, and that there is clear room to get on and off the chair. A folding chair can be stored behind the door.
• Hard water scale. Mineral deposits make seats rough and slippery. Rinse and wipe the chair after use and descale from time to time.
• Monsoon humidity. Wet bathrooms breed mould, which makes plastic and foam slippery. Dry the chair when possible and look for mould on seat pads.
• Squat toilets in the bathroom. If the toilet and shower share the same wet floor, make sure the seat is not placed where a person might step into the squat pan opening.

Combine the seat with a grab bar at the right height and a non-slip mat or treatment outside the shower. Then your parent can stand and sit safely without hunting for a hold. The article on bathing safely with a shower chair explains how to sit, wash and stand.

What to check before you buy

1. Measure your parent: floor to back of knee, hip width and weight. 2. Measure the shower space, door width and the position of the taps. 3. Decide whether a backrest and arms are needed. 4. Check the stated weight limit and the material. 5. Look at the feet and the seat surface. 6. Try the chair, if possible, with your parent sitting and standing. 7. Check that it can be folded or carried by the person who will move it. 8. Ask about replacement feet and warranty.

For many families, renting is not common for shower chairs, because hygiene matters. Buying new is usually the better choice. See the equipment to rent or buy checklist.

Care and cleaning

Wash the chair after use with warm soapy water, particularly the underside of the seat and the leg joints where soap builds up. Dry it. Check the feet and the push-pin holes once a month, and replace any worn parts. Never use a chair with a cracked seat or bent legs.

When to ask a professional

An occupational therapist can measure your parent, watch them transfer and choose the chair, including special seats for people with stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia or severe weakness. A physiotherapist can teach safe ways to sit and stand. If your parent feels faint in the shower, has chest pain or breathlessness when washing, or cannot sit upright, ask a doctor first, since a chair addresses only part of the problem.