Homemade Shower Wheelchair

Shower wheelchairs can be especially useful for family members who are caring for loved ones who are physically disabled, and can be significantly cheaper to make yourself instead of purchasing from a medical supply company. Additionally, there are a number of ways to construct a homemade shower wheelchair that are fairly simple and can be adapted to fit your needs.

Materials

• The most important consideration for building a homemade shower wheelchair is materials. You will want to choose sturdy materials that will be easy to work with and that will be light enough to push around. Additionally, the materials you choose will need to be waterproof, and preferably resistant to mold. PVC pipe is an excellent option for building the frame of your homemade shower wheelchair that is relatively inexpensive and very easy for most individuals to work with.

  When choosing materials for the back and seat of your chair, remember that you do not want water or other things to accumulate in the seat area for hygienic reasons, as well as to make the wheelchair easier to clean if needed. Consider using a plastic or vinyl-covered padded toilet seat attached to the shower chair frame for comfort, safety, and cleanliness. Vinyl sheeting, mesh fabrics, or plastic mesh are all good choices for the back of your homemade shower wheelchair. Attaching the back to the frame using snaps or velcro provides for ease of cleaning or drying.

  You can make a simple shower chair that can be lifted and placed in the tub or shower, but for the most ease-of-access and mobility, you will want to add wheels to your shower chair. Plastic casters are the best option, since metal can sometimes rust or be a safety hazard.

Design

• If you choose to use the recommended PVC pipe for the frame of your homemade shower wheelchair, the easiest way to construct a shower wheelchair is to first create a basic chair frame. There are a number of free PVC chair plans available on the Internet that can quickly be modified to accommodate your needs by making them shorter, taller, narrower or wider. To attach the toilet seat to the frame rather than a sling seat, consider using PVC cement to attach couplers to the bottom of the seat that will pop over the pipes of the frame. If you choose to screw the seat into the pipes, be sure to cover any screw heads to avoid injury.