Keeping our and our loved one’s health and safety is always a priority. We often never compromise on the medical requirements of our family to ensure that healing is quick, and the patient can resume daily life quickly. While medications and treatments do their part, mobility equipment plays a crucial role in healing. One such piece of equipment, a medical shower chair, aids support and provides independence in performing personal hygiene without needing a caregiver.
A medical shower chair or bath stool is available in different varieties that help improve mobility and ensure safety during bathing activities. While understanding how to use a shower chair is vital, knowing different types helps you better understand the patient's needs. Here are a few basic shower chairs and stool types that help in better living.
Types of Medical Shower Chairs
Medical Shower Chair
A simple medical shower chair has four sturdy legs that are fixed on the surface of your bathroom to provide a secure grip and anti-skid feature. The chair has different features, including removable arms and back rest, drainage holes, adjustable or fixed height, cushioned support, etc.
Medical Commode Chair
Like a shower chair, the medical commode chair has all the features and a removable commode bucket. The commode chair makes the bathroom experience comfortable and private for the user, allowing them to have their dignity. It's easy to place the chair in the bathroom or near the bed and works as both a commode chair and a shower chair.
Medical Shower Stool
While a shower chair has a back support and armrest that allows the user to put their body weight on the chair, those having upper body strength to hold their weight can choose a medical shower stool for bathroom activities. The stool has four adjustable legs and a curved seat that allows you to sit comfortably.
Medical Portable Toilet
A medical portable toilet is a must-have medical equipment when traveling. The portable toilet has wheels that are easily locked to convert into a fixed chair. It is foldable and is easy to use anywhere you go.
Bath Bench
A bath bench is a simple support that fixes your bathtub. The bench fits easily on a bathtub and has a built-in soap dish along with drainage holes for convenience. It is portable and works best for traveling.
How to Use a Shower Chair on Daily Basis
Choose the Right Shower Chair
When it comes to health, compromising should never be an option. Choosing the right medical shower chair according to your medical needs and mobility restrictions is basic. Also, check for safety measures while purchasing the shower chair to prevent accidents.
H3 - Fix and Adjust as Needed
It is always best to read the manual once the chair needs assembling. Most shower chairs have adjustable height and removable components for comfort. Adjust the features as needed, then fix the chair on your bathroom surface.
Maintain Safety
Check safety measures before anyone uses the shower chair and sits on it. Ensure the chair is not skidding on your floor surface. Do a water test for extra safety and know the chair is gripped nicely, even on a wet floor.
Sit Comfortably
After the safety check, slowly sit on the chair, making yourself comfortable. Take the caregiver's support if you cannot sit on your own. Ensure you do not slip from the chair and position it so you can access everything you need easily.
Dry After Use
Once you take a shower, ensure that the shower chair is dry. Do not leave the chair wet as it can cause bacteria and lead to unhygienic conditions, causing skin problems.
Safety Tips When Using Medical Shower Chair
Secure the Chair
Ensuring that you do not fall while taking a shower is very crucial, or you can get injured, and your healing time will increase. Before you go for a shower, securing the chair is needed. Understand the features of the chair and see if there is any lock system. If there, place the medical shower stool or chair and then lock it. This will ensure the chair won’t skid or move from its place, even with a wet floor.
Keep Shower Essentials Within Reach
Medical portable toilets and shower chairs are beneficial for those with limited mobility. Ensuring that all the necessary shower essentials are placed nearby is vital when using the chair. This will prevent the patient from moving too much and exerting the body to get access to basic products for a shower.
Use Hand-held Showerhead
For those with a lot of pain and restricted upper body movement, taking a shower in a bathtub can get difficult. Using a hand-held shower when sitting on the medical shower stool is recommended. This will allow the patient to shower comfortably without assistance accessing basic shower essentials.
Place Anti-slip Mat for Extra Safety
While the medical commode chair and shower stool are built with anti-slip technology, having an added security measure to your bathing routine is never a bad idea. Before placing the shower chair, place an anti-slip shower mat below. This will ensure the patient is safe and doesn’t fall, even in unforeseen circumstances.
If the Patient is Weak, Do Not Leave Them Alone
While the medical shower chair is very comfortable and offers many safety measures, sometimes a little help is needed. A caregiver is essential if the patient is too weak or lacks body strength. Do not leave the patient alone. This will help the caregiver to support the patient if needed when performing bathroom activities.
Choose a Medical Shower Chair with Care
Choosing the right type of chair and understanding how to use a shower chair correctly is the basic safety measure tip. From the different options of shower chairs, choose the one that fits your requirements and supports the user. Consider the health conditions, mobility restrictions, and the space where you will use the medical shower chair before purchasing.
Prepare the Bathroom Before Going for a Shower
Before the patient goes to the bathroom, keep the bathroom ready. Place everything needed nearby and set up the medical shower chair. If using a portable chair, move the patient carefully on the portable toilet chair to the bathroom. If the patient is in a wheelchair, secure the shower chair in the bathroom beforehand and then transport the patient to the bathroom.
Tips to Care for Medical Shower Chair
Ensure the Chair is Stable
A simple tip for using the medical commode chair or shower stool is to check it is stable and doesn’t skid on your bathroom floor. Check the chair in all possible ways to build trust while using the shower chair.
Clean with Detergent
After you shower, clean the shower chair with a mild detergent. This ensures that there is no space for bacteria to grow, which can hamper your skin. Keeping the chair clean is vital. Use cotton or a cloth to clean each drainage hole carefully.
Wipe and Dry after Every Use
After cleaning the chair, allow it to dry completely. Drying and cleaning after every use keeps the chair clean and hygienic, making safety a top priority.
When Do You Need a Medical Shower Chair
Aging
Aging is humankind's undeniable truth, weakening the person's body as they slowly lose their strength. The weak body becomes prone to falls and injuries frequently. Using a medical shower chair in the bathroom helps support older adults and prevent them from slipping on the wet floor.
Healing from Injury
Certain injuries, like fractures, shoulder sprains, hip injuries, etc., require you to give complete rest to your body. Putting strain can increase the healing time and cause pain and discomfort. Medical shower stool and chair aids as an added support to prevent pressure on the body and indirectly support healing.
After Surgery
Surgeries are an invasive procedure and can make the body feel weak and tired. While medications help heal and support the recovery process, medical shower chairs help ease mobility without exerting the patient to perform basic bathroom activities. The different variety of shower chairs even ensures that the surgery part is safe while taking a shower.
Temporary Illness
Temporary illnesses like arthritis, fractures, short-term impairments, etc., might recover with rest but can affect basic mobility during healing. Using the shower chair or medical commode chair can aid as a support to refrain from putting pressure on the body, allowing better and faster recovery.
Permanent Disability
Permanent disabilities like musculoskeletal injury, spinal defect, amputations, paralysis, poliomyelitis, elephantiasis, etc., are a few problems that require constant support for mobility and other basic activities. Using a medical shower chair helps provide support and allows the patient to perform basic bathroom activities independently. Those with low physical strength can also use a shower chair for support.
How to use a shower chair is a simple yet very crucial question to ask to maintain health safety measures and get a comfortable experience. While a medical shower chair aids support to make tasks easy, it adds to the independent lifestyle, helping the user feel positive and self-reliant. To make the bathroom experience even more comfortable and stress-free, Broadway Medical Supply offers a range of shower chair varieties with adjustable features for everyone. The top-notch quality makes us the most reliable supplier for all your medical needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Use a Shower Chair for Bathing Children or Pets?
Yes, you can use a medical shower chair as a support to bathe your child or pet. Handling can be difficult as medical chairs can be bigger for your child to fit comfortably. Be careful to support and hold your child if they are too small to use the chair alone. If using it for pets, use a separate chair and do not use the same chair for patients, as it can increase the chance of infections. Wash the shower chair thoroughly and store it properly for longer use.
2. How Often Should I Replace My Shower Chair?
A medical shower chair is crafted using high-quality materials, making it a sturdy and lifelong investment. Unless there is damage due to force, there is no need to replace the shower or commode chair. The quality and brand can make a huge difference. If you invest in a rust-free and high-grade shower chair with précised features, you can use it comfortably for years and years.
3. How Do I Properly Set Up My Shower Chair?
First, decide where you want to use the shower chair. There are different chairs for the bathtub and floor. Once you have decided on the type of shower chair, it's time to set it up. Read the instruction manual that comes with the medical shower chair and follow the instructions. Ensure the four legs are sturdy and fit properly in the bathtub or fix it on the floor without skidding. Adjust the height as per your need and follow the guide to how to use a shower chair.
4. What Is the Difference Between a Shower Chair and a Commode Chair?
A medical shower and a medical commode chair are two very useful pieces of equipment in the medical field that improve a patient's lifestyle. While both are very similar, they serve different purposes. A shower chair is helpful when the patient wants to take a shower. It allows proper sitting for a comfortable bathing experience. On the other hand, medical commode chairs come with a removable commode bucket. It is helpful for those who have severe mobility issues and cannot walk to the bathroom. Commode chairs make it easy for the patient to perform bathroom activities independently without needing a caregiver. This helps them maintain their dignity and live with confidence.
