Common Mistakes Made While Buying Bath Seating

Bath seating encompasses bath chairs, bath stools, transfer-benches and bath boards. 

These are all disability aids or daily living aids that are designed to be used in the bathing area in order to keep elderly and disabled users safe. Given that bathing areas are wet, the risk of slips and falls is much higher as compared to any other area within the house.

An article in NY times presents some eye-opening numbers when it comes to bathroom accidents,

• More than a third of the injuries happen during bathing.
• The elderly are more likely to slip and fall with the injuries peaking at 85.

So, there is a reason why bath aids such as bath chairs and bath stools are a must-have for an elderly or a disabled user.

Here are some medical conditions that require users to use a bath stool or a bath chair 

In this blog, we will cover some of the most commonly made mistakes while purchasing bath seating.

Not considering the user’s weight, height and other needs

A bath chair is built to take a particular weight. So it is essential that you consider the user’s weight and buy a bath chair that is appropriate for their weight.

This information can be easily found on the packaging of the bath chair.

Height of a user is another consideration, a bath chair can either come with the option to adjust the height or as a fixed-height. If you choose the latter option then it is very important to measure the height of the user.

The last thing you want is the person not being able to place their feet firmly on the floor whilst in a seated position.

Bath chairs come in a variety of shapes and sizes including with and without back, with and without arm support, free-standing and tub-mounted, it is very important that you assess the user’s individual needs prior to purchasing an appropriate bath chair.

Not taking the dimensions of a bathtub

Bath chairs are meant to be used in a bathtub. Therefore it is important that you consider the measurements of your bathtub. 

The best way to measure your bathtub is taking the bath floor measurements from end to end for determining the length and also side to side. 

This will allow you to determine if a bath chair can be placed in the bathtub and if the user will have enough room to move in and out of the bathtub.

Also, look for any unusual shapes or contours.that could potentially affect the way the seat is placed within the bathtub.

Buying the most affordable/cheapest chair

Don’t make the mistake of buying the cheapest option! Think of a chair as an investment rather than a cost and keep in mind that safety is the most important aspect when it comes to buying a bath chair.

Not buying a bath chair that is ADA Compliant

For those of you who are new to this term, ADA stands for American with Disabilities Act. They put forward certain guidelines that need to be adhered by daily living aids manufacturers and installers. 

These guidelines ensure the safety of a user and give you the confidence you need to purchase a disability aid.

Make sure that the bath chair that you shortlist is actually ADA approved.

Not trying before you buy

It is always good that you try the chair out at a retailer or an independent living centre, if possible or you could even give a simple chair available in your house a dry run in a bathtub to get a better understanding of the user’s requirements.

Some other things you should know

• There are several different bath seating options including bath chairs, bath transfer benches, bath boards. It is important to know what the user needs in order to find the right type of seating.
• Some bath chairs can be folded away when not in use. 
• Bariatric chairs are built specifically for users who weigh on the heavier side.
• Bath seats also come with additional features such as soap holder and shower head holder, these make perfect sense from a safety point of view as they reduce the need for the user to get up from the chair whilst in the bath, increasing the safety of the user.
• Bath chairs also come in models that allow for the backrest to be removed.
• For users who are prone to bed sores or have existing skin conditions, there are bath seats that come attached with padded vinyl. This makes the seating much more comfortable.
• For individuals on wheelchairs or with very limited mobility, you can look for a bath transfer bench.
• Some other aids that you can consider with a bath chair are grab bars, bath support arm, bathtub step and a non-slip bath mat. Each of these bath aids is designed to allow for a safer bathing experience for an elderly or disabled individual.
• Finally, comfort is the most important factor to be considered when you are looking to buy bath or toilet aids, make sure the user feels very comfortable.

About The Author

This blog has been written by evekare, an independent living aids manufacturer from Australia with a presence in Europe and America. More information on evekare’s bath chairs.