One of the most challenging aspects of everyday living for people with disabilities is taking a shower. Those who are able-bodied oftentimes find it hard to imagine how difficult and how painful it is for the disabled to go to the shower, take a bath, and face the possibility of falling on the bathroom’s hard surfaces. Showering can be a dangerous task for people with disabilities; because of their limited physical abilities, they face a higher risk of slipping, falling, or incurring serious trauma.
By using a wheelchair especially designed for shower use, this daunting endeavor can become safer and simpler. Called a disabled chair, this type of wheelchair can be rolled into the shower to eliminate standing and moving on the bathroom’s slippery floor. It can also function as a bedside commode or can be used over your existing toilet so that the person with disability do not have to stand up and transfer to the toilet just to empty his bladder.
You might be wondering why do you have to bother purchasing a chair for the handicapped if there is already a wheelchair in the house. The seat of a shower chair is cut out in the middle so that the user can reach and wash all parts of the body without the need to stand. For more freedom for the user, the armrests of a shower wheelchair are removable. Moreover, since it is specifically designed for shower use, a disabled chair is made of waterproof and rustproof steel or plastic. For more comfort, its height can be adjusted so that the user can reach the shower knobs more easily. A backrest is an optional feature for comfort and stability.
If you are worried that your existing bathtub is not disabled-friendly, there are companies that offer services for converting your bathtub. Converting a bathtub may involve cutting a door into your existing tub to accommodate a shower wheelchair or reducing the outer wall to install steps. For simpler methods, you can just purchase a walk in bath for the handicapped.
For your shower room, it is advisable that you remove the curtain to make it safer for the disabled. Ideal shower rooms for disabled are those without threshold or lip so that the disabled chair can roll easily into the shower. You can also install grab bars in the shower for added safety.
Shower chairs are functional equipment that provide stability and safety in the shower. They also give a prolonged sense of independence for those who are afraid to bathe by themselves. Moreover, they offer peace of mind to those who care about the disabled. If you are thinking of purchasing one for your home, wheelchairs for the shower have various styles and designs and cost less than a regular wheelchair. You have to determine the needs of the person using the shower wheelchair because their needs will determine the features of the chair. It should be safe, comfortable, durable, and appropriate for the person who will use the chair. It is also worth to note that due to hygiene purposes, the item is non-returnable upon purchase.
