All You Need to Know About Shower Stools And Wall-mounted Shower Seat

A slippery and wet bathroom floor can increase the chances of fall and slip injuries - especially more when you have temporary injuries, dizziness spells, chronic health conditions like Parkinson's disease, neuromuscular disorders, etc. that cause balance issues. Therefore, ensuring the safety in the bathroom is a must when you are predisposed to a high risk of falls and slips.

A number of bath aids can help you in making your bathroom a safe place to use. Some common bathroom aids people often use are a shower stool, shower seat, bath step, grab rails, etc.

There are again multiple variants of a shower seat - one common being the wall-mounted variant that is durable and long-lasting.

In this post, you'll get to learn about the stool and the wall-mounted variant of shower seat in detail.

Shower Stool

This bath aid is a slight variation of a shower seat with comparatively small legs, lesser weight and surface area than the seat. It is a kind of water-resistant and slip-resistant bathroom seat that provides users a place to sit while showering thus reducing the risk of any falling incident. If you are old, suffer from mobility issues, are recuperating from a recent injury in your back, knee or leg, or are suffering from balance issues owing to certain medical conditions or diseases; this bath aid can be of great help.

Advantages

• For people who can't stand for long durations due to balancing issues, this aid gives them the much-needed support and they are able to sit while showering or bathing.
• It gives the users confidence that they can independently take a shower or bath and encourage them to clean themselves on a regular basis and maintain proper hygiene.
• People who have lower back pain or leg pain owing to a recent surgery, injury, sciatica or any other underlying medical condition also find this aid useful. Sitting while showering or bathing help them alleviate the pain they would otherwise suffer while standing for long.

Though a variety of shower stools are available, a medical professional's advice is a must. Here are some general things you should ensure before you pick a variant.

• Ensure that the stool should provide both safety and comfort.
• The stool variant you pick should be strong and durable yet lightweight and easily portable.
• If possible, the stool you choose should be of adjustable height.
• The constituent material of the stool you decide on should be water-resistant.
• The stool should have drainage holes to prevent pooling of water on its surface.

Wall-Mounted Shower Seat

This wall-mounted seat easily mounts on a shower wall and is durable and long-lasting. You can also fold it when not in use. It generally benefits the elderly, mobility impaired people, people with injuries and sufferers of chronic health conditions or dizziness.

Advantages

• If you want to sit in the shower lying against the wall, a wall-mounted variant can be a better choice compared to a free-standing stool.
• If you have space restrictions, a wall-mounted shower seat is a better option as it folds within its cubicle and doesn't occupy much space in your bathroom.
• It provides independence to the elderly people. As they don't have to depend on others for bathing or showering.

Before making a purchase; see to it that your variant:

• Is durable and sturdy
• Has height adjustable legs
• Has a compact folding
• Is secure and comfortable
• Have a slatted design for extra water to drain

In a Nutshell

Making your bathroom fall-proof is an important aspect of bathroom security. The very idea that the bathroom is safe makes it easy for elders and people with impairments to use it. Hence, it is a smart choice to invest in such bathroom aids. They provide a great deal of comfort, safety, and independence. Before buying any of these aids for yourself or your loved ones, to check whether they fulfill your every requirements or not is always advisable. You can also seek advice from your physiotherapist or doctor who can help you make the right choice after analyzing your condition. In case of any emergency or mishaps seeking for medical attention immediately without wasting time is highly recommendable.

Derry has been working in the mobility aids industry since 2003, acquiring a wealth of knowledge along the way. Before Essential Aids, Derry's background was in engineering. In his spare time he is a devotee of yoga and rare reggae vinyl.