Article - Bath Tub Access

Many people prefer to have a chair in the tub when bathing. The biggest advantage is that you don't have to squat all the way down to the floor of the tub and then stand up again. But what if you want to soak in warm water? What if you need support getting over the edge of the tub? Are there different bath chairs to choose from? Yes, and here's the basics:

Bath Chairs / Bath Stools:

• Has all four legs within the tub so you have to be able to step over the tub edge.
• Sits above the water if you are filling the tub.

Best Uses:

• A place to sit while using a hand held shower
• A seat to rest on or to use if you have balance issues

Features to Consider:

• Adjustable Legs: The height can be changed to suit the your needs and the tub, especially if the tub floor is uneven.
• Rubber Feet: These won't mar the surface of the tub.
• Padded Seat versus Seat with Drainage Holes: The benefits of a padded seat is that is provides more comfort when you are sitting. The disadvantage is that the water does not drain as quickly as it would with drainage holes or a slatted seat.
• Arms versus No Arms: A consideration if you need to be able to push off the chair to stand up.

Transfer Benches:

• Spans from inside the tub, over the rim to the outside of the tub. The bather sits on the chair outside the tub and then shifts their body, on the bench, into the tub. The bather still must lift their legs over the edge of the tub, but they can do this one leg at a time from the seated position.
• Sits above the water if you are filling the tub.

Best Use:

• A place to sit while using a hand held shower.
• A seat to rest on or use if you have balance issues.
• Provides a seated way to get into the tub.

Features to Consider:

• Adjustable Legs: The height can be changed to suit the your needs and the tub, especially if the tub floor is uneven.
• Rubber Feet: These won't mar the surface of the tub.
• Padded Seat versus Seat with Drainage Holes: The benefits of a padded seat is that is provides more comfort when you are sitting. The disadvantage is that the water does not drain as quickly as it would with drainage holes or a slatted seat.
• Arms versus No Arms: A consideration if you need to be able to push off the chair to stand up.
• A bench seat with a back : Provides more support and comfort.
• A transfer bench with a seat that pivots and locks : convenient for people who are transferring to or from a wheelchair.

Some questions to answer before you begin to shop for a Transfer Bench:

• What is the distance from the bathroom floor to the tub's top edge? (Many chairs cannot accommodate very deep tubs.)
• What is the distance from inside the tub to the tub's top edge?
• Are the two distances dramatically different? If so you will want to look for a chair that can adjust to that difference to provide a level surface.
• Is there enough space for the seat without disturbing the space needed for other bathroom activities? Or is it light enough to move and store easily?
• Do you need a right handed or left handed entry? Can the chair accommodate that?

Bath Lifts:

• Lower the bather into the tub and back up again, making soaking in warm water possible. (All bath lifts can be submersed into the water.)
• Will not go into down to the floor of the tub unless there is enough power to return the bather to the top of the tub.
• A less costly alternative to a hoyer lift (a seat strap that is ceiling mounted to lower you into and retrieve you from the tub water) or a walk-in bath tub.

Best Uses:

• Allows a bather with balance or strength issues to safely soak in warm water.

Features to Consider:

• Rubber feet that provide good suction and won't mar the surface of the tub.
• Padded Seat versus Seat with Drainage Holes: The benefits of a padded seat is that it provides more comfort when you are sitting.
• How high the lift goes. Will the seat meet the edge of your tub? (If the bath lift can go higher than the tub edge, you can always stop when the seat meets the edge.)
• Does the bath lift allow for seated transfers into the tub? Some models are better for easing entry into the tub, with surfaces that extend over the edge of the tub. The bather would sit on the edge of the bath seat and then turn their body, lifting their legs one at a time over the tub edge.
• Power for the bath lift: Hydraulic (run by water pressure from your bathtub tap) or powered by a rechargeable battery. Based on our research, we recommend battery powered models. Look for a battery that detaches easily, preferably in the hand control, for easy re-charging.

Some questions to answer before you begin to shop for a Bath Lift:

• What are all the inner dimensions of your tub? (Too wide and the seat may not come to the edge, too narrow and the seat may not fit at all.)
• What is the distance from the bathroom floor to the tub's top edge?
• Will you need to remove the seat so others may use the tub? (Think about the lift's weight and the ability to fold or separate for storage)
• Do you need special options to support a person with limited upper body strength?

Bath Boards

• Plastic or wood boards that extend from one side of the tub to the other.

Best Uses:

• A place to sit while using a hand held shower.
• A seat to rest on or use if you have balance issues.

Features to Consider:

• We do not recommend bath boards if you need the board to transfer your weight into the tub.
• The board should be secured with a clamp on at least one edge of the tub, so that it is secure while supporting any weight. (Your weight shifts while you sit or stand as well as while you bathe. A clamp prevents the board from wiggling away during use.)

© Copyright 2010 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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