In the world of assisting handicapped patients or individuals, one of the most delicate and difficult operations to accomplish for both the caregiver and patient is using the bathroom facilities.  The whole process, from bed to bathroom and everything it entails is a collage of emotions, movement and physical gymnastics.

Usually a person with a lower body weakness, especially if the individual is an elderly person, will have a very difficult time with personal hygiene.  The thought of maneuvering within a room of sharp-edged porcelain or steel bathroom objects combined with shuffling around on a hard and sometimes slippery floor can be fraught with danger.  Combine all the physical bodily movements that a person must accomplish when using the toilet and/or shower and this situation is just an accident waiting to happen.

An innovative way to help minimize both the patient’s personal embarrassment and the chance of injury from falling in the bathroom is by using the Deluge Reclining Shower Chair that is offered by Rehabmart.

The Deluge Reclining Shower Chair is a multifunctional shower and commode chair that can be used to fulfill all the hygiene requirements needed in the bathroom and shower in a nursing home, hospital, long-term care facility or at home.  With its wheeled chassis that is crowned with a comfortable polyurethane foam padded chair, this shower chair can easily be maneuvered from room to room, from bedroom to bathroom to the shower area, without the need for patient transfers from one chair to another, or even from the chair to a toilet. 

With its commode opening and commode pail, a reclining backrest, roomy 18 inch-wide seating, removable armrests, and a headrest, the Deluge features make showering and toileting easy on both the patient and caregiver.  With the removable armrest the caregiver can also maneuver the patient for a side transfer without using bulky and time-consuming lift equipment.

The Deluge Reclining Shower Chair has a durable, rust-free aluminum frame with solid polyurethane foam padding for pressure relief and extra comfort for the patient, and the armrests are foldable, leading to easier transfers from the bed or to a sitting position in a chair. The Deluge can also be folded flat for easy and compact storage when it is not in use. 

Another great aspect of the Deluge is the multi-stage adjustable backrest and recline feature.  Being able to recline and adjust the sitting patient while in the shower can provide added comfort for the patient and also allow the caregiver to complete proper patient positioning for washing and rinsing without bodily moving the patient around in various positions, reducing the risk of injury for the patient and decreasing strain and possible injury to the caregiver as well.  

Made with strong yet lightweight and rust-free aluminum construction, the Deluge can hold its own, supporting up to 330 pounds. Yet due to its small physical ‘footprint’ the Deluge can also be used for easy access into small areas, like a bathroom at home or a private bathroom in a facility.

Personal hygiene is just that…personal. But when there comes a time in someone’s life which prohibits the individual to be able to easily or safely perform their own personal hygiene by themselves and help from another person is needed, choosing the Deluge Shower Chair can offer some dignity, comfort and safety for everyone involved. 

Bill Stock
Executive Editor,
Content & Social Media Services
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO