Does anyone have any experience purchasing a shower bench?

[Deleted]

Or know anyone who has one, raving about how well theirs work for them.

I have an elderly dad who needs one as soon as possible. I looked on Amazon and had no clue which one to select for purchase. There were so many to choose from. I am leaning towards the benches with a swivel chair.

[dee27]

When I had foot surgery, DH purchased a shower chair, but in order to take a proper shower, he installed a shower wand that was hand held. I found it best to sit with my back to the shower head. Good luck.


Mine was similar to this model. 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ULD1CC/ref=s9_acsd_zgift_hd_bw_bFq7x_c_x_w/147-5955448-1382527?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=63AX46E4R4XVYRAQ30EW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=83b34d11-3a3f-5a77-b8a7-0a7e994d28d8&pf_rd_i=3775301

[mmhmm]

Does your dad have help at home? Also, does he have to step over a tub edge to get into the shower, or does he have a stand-alone shower he can simply step into? There are different chairs for different needs.

[kittensaver]

I bought one a few years back when I spent 12 weeks in a leg cast and needed to be 'weightless' on my leg while it healed. I got a long one that fit over the edge of the tub - it had part of the bench on legs standing outside of my tub/shower combo (if that makes sense). I sat on the outside part and then scooted myself over the tub edge until I was sitting in the tub - on the bench - and could use the hand-held shower head/shower wand.

Do you have a walk-in shower or a tub/shower combo? Also - have you showed your dad different styles and asked which one he thinks might work best for him? I think the needs of the user should be your first consideration.

Also - do you live somewhere that you can visit a durable medical supply shop and have him try out things for himself? I know I felt much more confident picking something from the store rather than off a picture on the internet (but of course I recognize you may not have the option).

Good luck whatever you decide.

[weltschmerz]

May 31, 2017 14:45:28 GMT -5 @heart2heart said:

Or know anyone who has one, raving about how well theirs work for them.

I have an elderly dad who needs one as soon as possible. I looked on Amazon and had no clue which one to select for purchase. There were so many to choose from. I am leaning towards the benches with a swivel chair.

Have you checked the Salvation Army? I see shower benches there all the time, to be had for a song.
Elderly relatives die, and everything gets donated.

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 14:50:24 GMT -5 dee27 said:

When I had foot surgery, DH purchased a shower chair, but in order to take a proper shower, he installed a shower wand that was hand held. I found it best to sit with my back to the shower head. Good luck.


Mine was similar to this model. 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ULD1CC/ref=s9_acsd_zgift_hd_bw_bFq7x_c_x_w/147-5955448-1382527?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=63AX46E4R4XVYRAQ30EW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=83b34d11-3a3f-5a77-b8a7-0a7e994d28d8&pf_rd_i=3775301

 
I am thankful that a hand held shower wand is in place. My parents live in senior citizen housing. That is probably why.

I will check the link you posted in a few moments.

Thanks. 

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 15:05:00 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Does your dad have help at home? Also, does he have to step over a tub edge to get into the shower, or does he have a stand-alone shower he can simply step into? There are different chairs for different needs.

Yes, my dad has my mom with him.

There is a regular size bath tub in their apartment that could accommodate the type chair I've been looking at. The swivel shower bench.

[mmhmm]

Is your dad able to step into the tub safely - without slipping, or falling? If he is, a small chair that fits into the bathtub and swivels side to side would be fine for him. I'd also suggest a hand-held shower wand. Be sure the chair has a back and, at least, one arm - just for the sake of safety and comfort.

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 15:10:43 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

I bought one a few years back when I spent 12 weeks in a leg cast and needed to be 'weightless' on my leg while it healed. I got a long one that fit over the edge of the tub - it had part of the bench on legs standing outside of my tub/shower combo (if that makes sense). I sat on the outside part and then scooted myself over the tub edge until I was sitting in the tub - on the bench - and could use the hand-held shower head/shower wand.

Do you have a walk-in shower or a tub/shower combo? Also - have you showed your dad different styles and asked which one he thinks might work best for him? I think the needs of the user should be your first consideration.

Also - do you live somewhere that you can visit a durable medical supply shop and have him try out things for himself? I know I felt much more confident picking something from the store rather than off a picture on the internet (but of course I recognize you may not have the option).

Good luck whatever you decide.

There is a tub/shower combo in my parents bathroom. My dad has seen the standard type shower benches his brother had. The same type you described. He wants to make sure his shower bench is sturdy and has a back rest. His brother's didn't. 

Yes, my area has medical supply shops here. I've been to them, and compared their prices with the same products on Amazon. Amazon prices are cheaper! My challenge is, which one should I purchase. 

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 15:10:50 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

May 31, 2017 14:45:28 GMT -5 @heart2heart said:

Or know anyone who has one, raving about how well theirs work for them.

I have an elderly dad who needs one as soon as possible. I looked on Amazon and had no clue which one to select for purchase. There were so many to choose from. I am leaning towards the benches with a swivel chair.

Have you checked the Salvation Army? I see shower benches there all the time, to be had for a song.
Elderly relatives die, and everything gets donated.

Something to consider! Thanks.. 

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 16:25:03 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Is your dad able to step into the tub safely - without slipping, or falling? If he is, a small chair that fits into the bathtub and swivels side to side would be fine for him. I'd also suggest a hand-held shower wand. Be sure the chair has a back and, at least, one arm - just for the sake of safety and comfort.

My dad's been tested to see if he could step into the tub, but he is unable to. Below is what I am considering. Only thing, I am told there needs to be a cut-out? You know.. The cut-out makes it easier to wash the personals. 

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 14:50:24 GMT -5 dee27 said:

When I had foot surgery, DH purchased a shower chair, but in order to take a proper shower, he installed a shower wand that was hand held. I found it best to sit with my back to the shower head. Good luck.


Mine was similar to this model. 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ULD1CC/ref=s9_acsd_zgift_hd_bw_bFq7x_c_x_w/147-5955448-1382527?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=63AX46E4R4XVYRAQ30EW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=83b34d11-3a3f-5a77-b8a7-0a7e994d28d8&pf_rd_i=3775301

Nice chair, but my dad is unable to lift his legs over the side of the tub. We wish he could. 

[mmhmm]

May 31, 2017 16:38:08 GMT -5 @heart2heart said:

May 31, 2017 16:25:03 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Is your dad able to step into the tub safely - without slipping, or falling? If he is, a small chair that fits into the bathtub and swivels side to side would be fine for him. I'd also suggest a hand-held shower wand. Be sure the chair has a back and, at least, one arm - just for the sake of safety and comfort.

My dad's been tested to see if he could step into the tub, but he is unable to. Below is what I am considering. Only thing, I am told there needs to be a cut-out? You know.. The cut-out makes it easier to wash the personals.

Not all chairs have a cutout, unfortunately. This is the type of chair I had for my mother. She was able to use it without too much difficulty just by shifting her weight. I haven't looked for chairs in years so I'm not sure if one is made with a cutout now.  The shower wand will help, though.

[mmhmm]

Looking a bit, THIS CHAIR has a removable piece to allow for perineal care. Worth a look.

[Deleted]

May 31, 2017 16:51:38 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Looking a bit, THIS CHAIR has a removable piece to allow for perineal care. Worth a look.

Yes. I saw that one too. It's not padded though. My dad has no cushion after losing so much weight. Thanks anyway. 

[mmhmm]

Sure! I hope you're able to find exactly what you need for him.

[dee27]

May 31, 2017 16:41:24 GMT -5 @heart2heart said:

May 31, 2017 14:50:24 GMT -5 dee27 said:

When I had foot surgery, DH purchased a shower chair, but in order to take a proper shower, he installed a shower wand that was hand held. I found it best to sit with my back to the shower head. Good luck.


Mine was similar to this model. 

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ULD1CC/ref=s9_acsd_zgift_hd_bw_bFq7x_c_x_w/147-5955448-1382527?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=63AX46E4R4XVYRAQ30EW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=83b34d11-3a3f-5a77-b8a7-0a7e994d28d8&pf_rd_i=3775301

Nice chair, but my dad is unable to lift his legs over the side of the tub. We wish he could. 

A walk-in shower, which we have, is definitely easier to access because it has a low profile basin. Our main bathroom has a deep tub that I could not use after surgery because of the rise.