What Is a Shower Chair?

shower chair is typically a four-legged chair with rubberized feet, usually made with aluminum legs and a durable plastic seat (some models also have chair backs). It provides additional support in the bath or shower and makes it easier for the elderly or people who have mobility issues to get in and out of the bath or shower.

 Walgreens Shower Chair for Types of Shower Chairs

Main Usage

As its name implies, this is a highly specialized type of seating. Its design is optimized for use in the bath or shower, providing users with limited mobility and greater independence. It aims to help reduce the risk of slips and falls while bathing.

They facilitate transferring a person from a wheelchair into a shower chair. Of course, depending on the user’s mobility, this added piece of equipment is not always required.

Shower chairs are not considered Durable Medical Equipment or covered under Medicare Part B.

Types of Shower Chairs

While it’s true that the standard design features four legs with rubberized feet, there are a surprising number of different types of shower chairs available on the market today. We’ll list these just below and highlight their key differences.

  • Transfer Benches Designed specifically for people with extreme mobility limitations. Two rubberized feet are placed outside the tub, and the other two are inside, allowing the user to slide across the bench from a wheelchair and into the shower.
  • Folding Stool Style – The simplest and most cost-effective devices, these sturdy folding stools feature standard rubberized feet, handgrips to facilitate moving to and from the shower, and a seat with no back for limited support while bathing.
  • Standard Shower Chair – Featuring rubberized feet, handgrips, back support, and a wide seat.
Types of Shower Chairs Transfer Bench
Transfer Bench
Types of Shower Chairs Folding Stool Style
Folding Stool Style
Types of Shower Chairs Standard Shower Chair
Standard Shower Chair
  • Fold-Down – Designed for permanent installation in a shower, these provide two rubberized feet, with the chair back mounted to the shower wall for stability. They are usually paired with a support rod built into the adjacent shower wall to serve as a handgrip when moving to and from the shower.
  • Rolling – This model distinguishes itself with rubberized wheels with locking mechanisms. The picture illustrates that some models also feature a flip-up cushioned seat, providing shower and commode chair functions.
  • Baby Shower Chairs – While there are a few different types of baby shower chairs, they all perform the same function. To provide stability and comfort for your child while making it easier for parents to bathe their infant children without excessive bending and back strain. Here’s a fairly typical example:
Types of Shower Chairs Fold Down
Fold Down
Types of Shower Chairs Rolling
Rolling
Types of Shower Chairs Baby Shower Chairs
Baby Shower Chairs

Origin and Brief History

Shower chairs are a relatively recent development, with the first patent being filed in 1973, marking their creation. The initial design was little more than a wheelchair with the wheels removed and replaced by rubberized feet.

Since then, manufacturers have taken advantage of advances in materials sciences to change and improve the design, ultimately morphing into the various types of shower chairs we see today.

Some Current Brands of Shower Chairs