As you get older, you may not be strong enough to stand for a long time while you bathe yourself anymore.
Fortunately, there are shower seats for elderly that you can use to make showering less tiring.
What if you don’t have enough space in the bathroom to keep that chair there all the time? Or maybe you don’t just want the chair to be in anyone else’s way.
Well, in this article, I’ll talk about FOLDING shower chairs that can make bathing convenient for everyone — for those who need the chair and those who don’t.
5 Best Folding Shower Chairs for the Elderly
Below are the five best folding shower chairs you should consider if you want to save space in the bathroom:
1: Clevr Teak Wood Modern Folding Shower Seat Bench – Best Overall
Features:
- 400 lb capacity
- Made of Grade A Burmese teak wood
- Foldable and wall-mounted
What I Like
- Durable
- Slim design
- Has a good finish
What I Didn’t Like
- Hard to install
- Bolt covers are made of plastic
Clevr offers a simple folding shower seat — but this simplicity is exactly why I love it so much.
It has a foldable slim wall mount design that’s very easy to use. It’s stable and durable for many years of regular use.
The seat has a clear-coated finish, so you get a beautifully-finished solid teak wood bench. The coating adds to the durability too.
It also has a stainless steel frame and solid steel brackets.
However, I don’t like how it uses plastic covers for the hinge mechanism since they seem too flexible.
But despite how it looks, it can accommodate up to 400 lbs.
It’s quite tricky to install too. After all, you must find a portion of the wall or tile to hold a person.If you’re unsure about the installation process, I highly recommend hiring a professional to do it for you.
2: Drive Medical Sliding Transfer Shower Seat – Best Value
Features:
- Removable handle and backrest
- Safety features
- Height-adjustable legs
What I Like
- Height-adjustable
- Easy to assemble
- Very stable
What I Didn’t Like
- Release latch can be hard to reach
- Not good for narrow bathtubs
For some help getting a senior in and out of the shower area or bathtub, Drive Medical has the folding shower chair for you!
The company’s transfer shower seat is easy to assemble AND use.
It’s height-adjustable, too — with a minimum height of 17.5 inches and a maximum height of 22.5 inches.
The legs have suction-style tips, which give them extra stability. You even get safety features like a safety belt and safety net.
Unfortunately, it’s not good for narrow tubs. It might not also fit your bathroom if you have a shower door.
Another thing I found weird about it is the location of the release latch. It’s found its way underneath, and a senior trying to be independent would have difficulty reaching it.
3: JCWANGDEFU Folding Shower Seat Wall Mounted Bathroom Bathtub Safety Stool Chair – Best Budget Pick
Features:
- Wood-plastic composites seat board
- Supporting legs
What I Like
- Affordable
- Stable
- More durable than ordinary wooden boards
What I Didn’t Like
- No mounting template
JCWANGDEFU offers a pretty impressive budget shower seat.
This model is a very stable wall-mounted seat. It has supporting legs, so the wall doesn’t have to bear your full weight.
Having supporting legs means you won’t spend on possible wall repairs, getting a new mounted seat, or even medical bills if the mounts break.
This shower seat is also more durable than ordinary wooden boards. That’s because it’s made of wood-plastic composites, which are also used in seats in parks and on yachts.
This material is waterproof and resistant to fire, moisture, acid, AND alkali. It doesn’t need regular maintenance and oiling!However, I found the installation process tricky since it doesn’t have a mounting template. That means you’ll have to mark measurements yourself.
4: Showerbuddy Folding Travel Shower Chair – Best Portable
Features:
- Replaceability of parts
- Durable frame
- Can be disassembled
What I Like
- Completely tool-less assembly
- Extremely portable
- Durable
What I Didn’t Like
- Lacks safety features
- Wheels could be better
If you want an all-in-one shower chair, then I HIGHLY recommend Showerbuddy’s product. After all, as you can see, it’s also a great shower wheelchair and commode.
It’s made of durable materials — such as heat-treated aluminum and stainless steel parts. It also has high-quality locking casters.
Rather than simply being foldable, you can disassemble this model. But don’t worry — it requires a completely toolless assembly.
I love how it can even fit into a travel bag, which unfortunately doesn’t come with the product when you buy it.
This product isn’t disposable at all since you can replace ALL the parts individually.
But one thing I’ll say about this is that it could use more safety features. For instance, a drive guard rail could work better than a strap for the feet.
The wheels are sometimes hard to control too.
5: Moen DN7110 Folding Shower Seat – Best Premium
Features:
- Supportive design
- Comes with Moen’s Limited Warranty
- Metallic finish
What I Like
- Can come with grab bars
- Has a backrest
- Extremely well-made
What I Didn’t Like
- Expensive
- Wood can feel rough
This doesn’t exactly look worth the splurge, but let me explain.
Moen’s shower seat is VERY well-made with teak wood and an aluminum frame that can support up to 400 lbs.
However, the teak wood can end up feeling quite rough after a few uses — so you might need to sand it down every once in a while.
It has a brushed nickel finish to give a warm metallic look that makes a simple but classy addition to the bathroom.
It comes with Moen’s Limited Warranty too!
I especially liked how it has a backrest — which is more comfortable than resting your back on the wall.Something else that caught my attention is you can buy it with shower bars as well.
What Are the Advantages of Folding Shower Chairs?
You might be thinking you can just put any chair in the bathroom for the seniors to use while they take a bath.
However, there are several benefits to using a folding shower chair in particular. Here are some of them:
Reduces Risk of Falling
Shower chairs keep you seated, so you don’t need to shuffle on the wet floor — which might cause accidents.
That also means you don’t risk slipping when washing your legs and other hard-to-reach places.
In addition to shower chairs, putting non-slip shower mats can also help reduce the risk of falling as a senior makes their way to and from the chair.
Improves Seniors’ Independence
All shower aids for elderly are designed to help the elderly maintain as much independence as possible.
With shower chairs, seniors can bathe themselves SAFELY since they’re seated.
Just make sure that everything they need is within easy reach so they won’t have to lean out too much — which can also put them at risk of falling.
More Comfortable Showering Experience
Taking a bath or showering can be quite an uncomfortable experience if you don’t have enough strength or endurance to finish without getting tired.
But, if you’re seated in a shower chair, taking a bath is less strenuous, so you can do so with ease and comfort.
Addresses Personal Hygiene
Some seniors end up NOT taking a bath because they have difficulty showering on their own, and they might not want to feel like they’re bothering other people by helping them.
It’s also possible that they don’t want other people to see them naked.
If you have a wall-mounted folding shower chair, it means a senior won’t have to ask someone to put a chair in the bathroom for them.
Meanwhile, if you have a portable one, you won’t have to worry about whether the shower chair you’re borrowing from the hotel or wherever you’re staying is really clean.
Provides Balance Support
It’s easier to keep your balance seated down than standing up since your center of gravity is lower. This is also because you’re relying on something to keep your balance.
Shower chairs give you a SAFE seat to shower on, so you’re not relying on just yourself for balance.
Prevents Bodily Strains
When you’re sitting down, your whole body is within easy reach of washing. As such, you won’t have to overstretch yourself in reaching hard-to-reach areas.
This prevents skeletal-muscular strains, such as pulling a muscle.
Of course, it’s also ideal that you put everything the senior needs (such as shampoo and soap) within reach too, so they don’t stretch too much for those.
Factors to Consider When Buying Folding Shower Chairs for the Elderly
There are many varieties of folding shower chairs for the elderly.
So, to buy the right one for you, below are some factors you should keep in mind while you’re narrowing down your options:
1: Chair Material
First, you’ll want to ensure that your shower chair is made of materials that can withstand regular water exposure. They should be rust-proof and durable too.
Shower seats are typically made of plastic, aluminum, and steel. The sturdiest option would be getting a product with a plastic seat and aluminum or steel legs.
Also, consider materials that are easy to clean.
2: Visibility
Seniors tend to have a low vision already. So, getting a shower chair with a contrasting color from your bathroom can help the elderly easily see it.
This lowers the risk of them falling from missing the seat.
3: Weight Limit
Standard shower seats can support anywhere from 250 lbs to 400 lbs. Because of this wide range, always check the models you’re considering buying.
If you need a chair that can support a higher weight limit, you can look at bariatric chairs — which hold up to 900 lbs.
4: Seat Size and Shape
The seat itself is what defines how comfortable a senior is while using it. However, it should also offer proper support.
A seat that’s too narrow or shallow would be uncomfortable and unsafe since it might not let the senior be stable enough while seated.
To find the right seat size, measure the senior’s backside’s width while they’re seated on a flat surface. The shower chair’s seat size should be a bit wider than your measurement.
Seat shape can also be something to consider if your senior experiences pain in certain areas.
For instance, a triangular seat or a seat with an available tilt can put pressure off the hip joints.
5: Water Drainage Holes
Fortunately, many shower chairs have drainage pathways, so water doesn’t pool in the chair.
Removing standing water is good for skin health. It also makes the seat itself easier to dry off.
Drain holes are also good since they prevent mold and mildew due to water buildup.
6: Adjustable Leg Height
Ideally, your senior’s knees are bent at 90 degrees with their feet flat on the floor.
A shower chair with adjustable leg height ensures you can hit that requirement.
However, you should still measure for the height your senior needs so you can find a chair that has the height range you want.
Having adjustable leg height is also very convenient since you won’t have to take great pains in finding a chair that has the EXACT height you need.
7: Price Point
The prices of shower chairs depend on several factors — such as material, finish, and extra features.
Even if you want a cheap chair, you should CAREFULLY check the specifications and customer reviews to ensure it’s safe for your senior.
But if you have some money to spare, you should also research the product to see if it’s worth the price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Folding shower chairs are very convenient for seniors. I’ve answered a few questions below to help you better understand them:
What Are the Different Types of Folding Shower Chairs?
Different kinds of folding shower chairs cater to seniors with different levels of mobility. This can also help you choose the right product for your loved one.
Standard Shower Chair
The standard shower chair looks like your typical shower chair — except it can be folded.
It typically comes with hand grips and sometimes also has a backrest.
Folding Stool
The folding stool is the simplest folding shower chair.
It’s literally just a seat with no backrest or handlebars.
Transfer Chair
A transfer chair is for seniors with difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub.
This is longer than the normal shower chair since two legs are placed inside the tub while two are outside.
Rolling Shower Chairs
These shower chairs function like wheelchairs. They’re water-resistant and have a flip-up seat, so they can also be used as a commode.
These also have locking mechanisms so you can safely use them without worrying if they’ll roll away.
Fold Down Shower Chairs
This shower chair can provide the most support since it’s already mounted in the shower stall.
These can come with one or two handlebars and a backrest too.
How Do You Clean a Folding Shower Chair?
The shower seat is prone to mold and bacteria growth since it’s regularly exposed to water and warm, moist air.
As such, here are several ways to keep it clean:
- Wipe the chair to remove soap and other residue after each use. Dry with a towel or soft cloth.
- Use mild detergent and warm water to clean the chair. I recommend using a bristle brush, so all crevices are clean. Remember to get the underside and legs of the chair too.
- Clean the drainage holes with a cotton swab.
- Clean with detergent, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
A Recap of the Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned the basics of folding shower chairs, let me give you a quick recap of my favorites:
Best Budget Pick – JCWANGDEFU Folding Shower Seat Wall Mounted Bathroom Bathtub Safety Stool Chair
Features:
- Wood-plastic composites seat board
- Supporting legs
JCWANGDEFU has a shower chair that’s more stable and durable than other similar wall-mounted shower chairs — and for a cheap price!
It has two supporting legs and a seat lasting longer than wood seats.
Best Value – Drive Medical Sliding Transfer Shower Seat
Features:
- Removable handle and backrest
- Safety features
- Height-adjustable legs
My best value is a sliding transfer shower seat.
It has height-adjustable legs. It’s also stable because it has suction-style tips at the ends of the legs. There are safety features, like a safety belt and a safety net.
Best Overall – Clevr Teak Wood Modern Folding Shower Seat Bench
Features:
- 400 lb capacity
- Made of Grade A Burmese teak wood
- Foldable and wall-mounted
The best overall is a simple wall-mounted seat from Clevr.
It has a clear-coated finish, so you can still appreciate the beautiful teak wood bench. Despite how it looks, it has solid steel brackets that help it support up to 400 lbs.
Conclusion
Folding shower chairs can be more convenient to seniors than typical shower chairs — especially for those who don’t have a lot of bathroom space.
There are many kinds of folding shower chairs that cater to seniors depending on their level of mobility.
However, to choose the right one, you should consider various factors — from the material used to its weight limit.
