|  | Public Health Safety | Ergonomics

Shower Seat Safety

Shower chairs can make showering and bathing much safer for mobility-impaired people, but accidents can still occur if a chair fails to provide the necessary stability.

  1. Function

    • A shower chair provides its users with both safety and reassurance. This device enables people with various disabilities such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease or paralysis to shower without losing their balance in a slippery tub.

    Height and Weight Factors

    • A shower chair should accommodate the patient's size. According to uCan Health, many shower chairs feature adjustable heights. Obese patients should select a shower chair rated for their weight level.

    Stability

    • A shower chair can slide or tip over if its legs do not include non-skid rubber feet, causing a dangerous spill for its occupant, according to the Shower Chair Reviews website.

    Proper Use

    • Using the right chair, with the right precautions, can help ensure safety. People in wheelchairs may benefit from a built-in shower chair. People in rolling shower chairs should lock the wheel brakes before showering.

    Maintenance

    • Inspecting a shower chair for wear can prevent needless injury. The Legal Eagle Eye Newsletter reported a lawsuit involving a nursing home patient whose hospital shower chair collapsed due to lack of upkeep by the hospital staff.

Ergonomics - Related Articles