Patient concern has always been a priority with healthcare facilities and home-based caregivers.  One of the most dangerous areas in the healthcare facilities and the home is the bathroom, particularly the shower area.  For most people, taking a shower is a quick and easy process, in and out within minutes.  But the shower area, with the hard, slippery surfaces covered in water and soap, is a difficult place to be when a person is sick, weak from post-surgery, elderly or experiencing a disability that prevents easy access and balance.

Besides being dangerous for the client, it is also difficult for the caregiver to maneuver about, helping the client with the shower.  A great help with this routine is a shower bench or chair.  To be able to safely sit down in a slippery shower area is a huge relief for both the client and caregiver.  Rehabmart is happy to offer a number of ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act) bath benches and bath chairs.

  
The ADA-compliant Rear Wall Mounted Bath Bench folds up easily when not being used by a client, thus allowing room for others who may use the same shower at different times.  This shower bench additionally features support legs that can also fold up, allowing this bench to be used when there is no inner tub ledge for a seat to rest on.  The seat is seam-sealed to help keep out water and prevent bacteria from building up.  This is a great type of shower bench for most healthcare facilities to use.

  
The ADA-compliant Wall Mounted Shower Bench also folds up when not in use.  The shower bench has a nice wide 32 inch seat, which when folded up against the wall, will extend about 6 inches from the wall.  Since it doesn't have supporting legs, this bench will need to have adequate wall backing.  The bench is available with either a naugahyde top or a phenolic top, and both are seam-sealed to keep out water and bacteria.  This sturdy bench has a weight capacity of 420 pounds.
 

  

One of the strongest folding shower benches available is the ADA-compliant Bariatric Folding Shower Bench which can support up to 800 pounds.  When not folded up against the wall, the bench height can be adjusted as needed with the four adjustable legs.  This bench also comes with a choice of either a smooth phenolic top or a padded seam-sealed naugahyde top.

  
The ADA-compliant Folding Shower Bench is a large, four legged wall-mounted bench and requires no wall reinforcement.  The stainless steel frame with the 32 inch wide seat can hold up to 420 pounds and comes with either a phenolic top or padded naugahyde.  This is also a perfect folding bath bench for healthcare facilities.  When properly installed, this bench is ADA-compliant when it is attached to the shower wall, requiring no wall reinforcement.  The shower area must be 36 inches wide to accommodate this product and its accessibility by wheelchair.

 
Something a little different that can be used in the home as well as a healthcare facility is the ADA-compliant Portable Bath Bench.  This lightweight (24 pounds) sturdy bench can be clamped onto the bathtub to ensure stability.  It has a weight capacity of 420 pounds and comes with a choice of either a smooth phenolic or padded naugahyde top that are both sealed to keep out bacteria and moisture.  This bench can be easily removed from the bathtub when not in use.

When it comes to bathroom safety, it is better to be safe than sorry.  A fall in the shower or tub can lead to unnecessary pain and problems.  By using a shower bench, all the pain and trouble of slips and falls can be avoided while also creating a restful and secure place to shower and freshen up.