The bathroom is where most falls at home happen. The right seat depends mostly on one thing: can the person safely step over the side of the tub?
Which one?
- Shower chair: sits fully inside the tub or shower. Best for walk-in showers, or for people who can still step over the tub wall safely but tire standing.
- Transfer bench: straddles the tub wall, with two legs inside and two outside. The person sits down outside the tub, then slides across and lifts their legs over. Best when stepping over the tub wall is no longer safe.
- Commode: a toilet chair with a removable pail. It can go beside the bed at night, and many models also fit over a regular toilet as a raised seat with arms. Wheeled shower commodes can roll into a roll-in shower.
Measure before you buy
- Tub: measure the inside width of the tub and the height of the tub wall from the floor. A transfer bench needs to fit both.
- Shower: measure the inside floor space and doorway width.
- Person: sitting, measure from the back of the knee to the floor. Set the seat close to that height so feet rest flat.
- Weight: check the rating. Standard is often about 250 to 300 lb. Choose heavy-duty if needed.
Setting up a transfer bench
- Fit the backrest on the side that suits your bathroom. Most backrests can be switched left or right. Once seated in the tub, the person should be able to reach the taps and handheld shower easily.
- Adjust each leg until the seat is level. The outside legs often need to be set differently from the inside legs, because the tub floor is lower than the bathroom floor.
- Make sure every leg button clicks fully into place and all rubber feet sit flat.
- Tuck the shower curtain inside the bench, between the seat sections, to keep water in.
- Add a handheld shower head so the person can wash while seated.
Every time you use it
- Press down on the seat before sitting to check it doesn't rock.
- Use a non-slip mat inside the tub and a bath mat outside.
- Keep soap and shampoo within reach so nobody has to twist or stand up wet.
Shop: Transfer Bath Bench with Back, ProBasics Deluxe Shower Chair, EZee Life Wheeled Shower Commode, 3-in-1 Bedside Commode, Bath Time Safety Kit.
Not sure which one is right? Email us at supportaccessliving@gmail.com with the person's height, weight and where they'll use it, and we'll help you choose.
This guide is general information to help you shop. It isn't medical advice. An occupational therapist or physiotherapist can assess what's safest for a specific person. Your doctor can refer you to one. Always follow the instructions and weight limit that come with your product.