The NOVA Medical Products Deluxe Bath Seat is our best shower chair for elderly which is easy to assemble and disassemble with almost no tools needed. It is very ideal for travelling and easy compact storage and also, the legs are adjustable. The chair overall is made from aluminum frame that is light weight and resistant to rust but very durable and the tips of the chair are coated in rubber tips that are skid resistant. The chair has padded arms that are very comfortable and also, the seat and back are both blow molded, attractive looking and durable.
Top Pick: NOVA Medical Products Deluxe Bath Seat
Our step-up pick is the Duro-Med Sliding Transfer Bench Shower Chair and the seat is textured, made from plastic that is durable and has a surface that is nonslip. This chair comes with nylon strap locks to keep the seat in place and the weight capacity is 400 pounds. It can easily transfer from wheelchairs or a walker to the shower or bath with this sliding mechanism shower chair for elderly. It is very safe to use and eliminates back strain with its design and you can easily position one side on the shower and one outside and then slide the person in. It is very easy to move and lift due to its aluminum frame construction that is very light weight and yet durable.
The budget pick is the Healthline Trading Adjustable Height Transfer Bench and has a nonslip seat design. The seat has an adjustable height through the legs and it is an easy transfer bench with smooth mechanism. With a white color finish, it has a weight limit of 300 pounds and reversible for accommodating any bathroom.
A Little Background
A shower chair for elderly is a good thing to invest because today in the modern world, more and more people of the senior age are getting suffocated and are at risk in bathrooms because they do not have anyone to help them or assist them, as bathrooms are indeed very slippery and can be dangerous to your loved one. First and foremost, safety should be taking place in the bathroom, since most elderly collapse in the bathroom if they get exhausted and trapped there for a long time while bathing or showering or doing their business.
In any case, a shower chair is a convenient way of keeping the elderly in place and away from getting tired of standing all the time while cleaning themselves. Most people of the senior age complain that they can have joint pains and have a very difficult time in standing position for too long and this is why they must get the best shower chair for elderly to get the best of their remaining years to come in safety and in stability without much injuries and without the risk of falling.
How We Picked
When we picked the best shower chair for elderly, we considered the following options and criteria in helping us decide which of which the best among the rest is:
What is the price of the shower chair for elderly? Most high quality and safe shower chairs for elderly are priced above $50 and this definitely means that they are made from no joke materials such as high quality plastic that will not break even at the worst case scenario.
What do the reviews tell you about the shower chair for elderly? Know if the shower chair for elderly has any flaws that might be a health hazard to the elderly in general.
What is the shower chair for elderly weight limit or capacity? You must know before you buy because most people who purchase a shower chair for elderly complain that their chair broke and this is probably because the weight is not appropriate to the chair and must be taken into consideration before buying the chair.
Are there any features that are very unique about the shower chair for elderly as the specifications say? For instance, does it offer easy compartments and safety belts to keep the elderly in place? Do know if there are a few extras from the shower chair for elderly that might assist them in a good way.
What are the measurements of the shower chair for elderly and will it fit your home or bathroom space? The dimensions of the shower chair for elderly are very important to know and are the founding force of buying a shower chair because if it will not fit perfectly then you are wasting your money and time and effort when buying the shower chair for elderly.
Is it easy to store and set up? The shower chair for elderly should be foldable and portable as a whole and can be transferred from one place to another and is easy to carry for the elderly if it is not a sliding version of the shower chair for elderly.
Does the shower chair for elderly have enough safety features all in all? All types of shower chair for elderly should be passing all the safety global standards and especially if you are using the shower chair for elderly for a home care service or for home use for your parents or grandparents.
Our Pick
Top Pick: NOVA Medical Products Deluxe Bath Seat
Being ideal for travelling and easy compact storage, the NOVA Medical Products Deluxe Bath Seat is our best shower chair for elderly with a weight capacity of 275 lbs. As for its adjustability, the legs are adjustable and as for its stability, the tips of the chair are coated in rubber tips that are skid resistant.
For its build, it is easy to assemble and disassemble with almost no tools needed and for the arm rest; the chair has padded arms that are very comfortable. For its comfort and durability, the seat and back are blow molded, attractive looking and durable.
It weighs only 7 lbs and as for the measurement, the seat height is 16 inches to 21 inches. As for the object build, the chair overall is made from aluminum frame that is light weight and resistant to rust but very durable and as for seat width, the width between arms is 19.25 inches. Its dimensions of the seat are 15 inches by 13 inches and it has a depth of 19 inches.
It is colored in gray and dark gray finish. The material for the chair is made with heavy duty molded plastic and as for its durability, the frame is made from anodized aluminum that is corrosion free.
As for sturdiness and ease of use, the water drainage holes are included in the seat to prevent slipping. For flexibility, the seat height can be easily adjusted so it can be used by various people. Being made in the USA, the seat height adjustment can go as far as 20 inches above the floor and the width of the rubber footings is 19 inches on the front. Overall, the NOVA Deluxe Bath Seat is very easy to assemble.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The only known complaint about the NOVA Medical Products Deluxe Bath Seat is that the plastic seat might crack if not stored properly.
Step-up Pick
Duro-Med Sliding Transfer Bench Shower Chair
The Duro-Med Sliding Transfer Bench Shower Chair is our step-up pick in which you can easily transfer from wheelchairs or a walker to the shower or bath with this sliding mechanism shower chair for elderly. As for its design, the seat is textured, made from plastic that is durable and has a surface that is nonslip.
For the construction, the Duro-Med Chair is very easy to move and lift due to its aluminum frame construction that is very light weight and yet durable and it also comes with nylon strap locks to keep the seat in place. You can easily position one side on the shower and one outside and then slide the person in.
As for its sturdiness, the Duro-Med Sliding Chair is a good chair to buy because the weight capacity is 400 pounds. All in all, it is very safe to use and eliminates back strain with its design. Its legs are highly adjustable and again for the design, its seat has a cut out design for convenience and it easily slides into place.
The Duro-Med Shower Chair is very safe to use for the elderly as well as those who are recovering from injuries or surgery and the back rest can be used by left-handed or right-handed people and it also has a seatbelt for staying safe while bathing. Do know that 39 inches across is the width of the seat needed to slide and the height it can reach is about 37 inches when you have fully extended chair legs. As for adjustability, the seat height is adjustable from 19 inches to 23 inches.
The chair weighs 14.5 lbs and can support 400 pounds of weight. Conveniently, its assembly is a breeze with almost no tools required to set it up and also, the legs are adjustable and have suction cups for better grip and resistance to slipping to keep the chair as stable as possible.
For safety features, the strap locks are made from nylon and for the measurements, the dimensions of the shower chair for elderly are 39 inches by 19 inches by 23 inches. The size of the seat is 19 inches by 14 inches. Do know that it can be a left sided or right sided chair depending on your installation and it is important to know that the clearance measurement under the bench is about 19 1/2 inches. Additionally, the seat locks on both ends so you are free from worries as it easily slides to a length of about 3 feet.
Budget Pick
Healthline Trading Adjustable Height Transfer Bench
The Healthline Trading Adjustable Height Transfer Bench has a weight limit of 300 pounds and is our budget pick as a great shower chair for elderly which has a nonslip seat design. In addition to its looks, the seat has an adjustable height through the legs for comfort as well as it is also reversible for accommodating any bathroom.
Given a white color finish, any person can easy transfer bench with smooth mechanism and as for its design, the adjustable height is at 1/2 inch increments. The outside legs have a width of 27 inches and a depth of 18 inches and the seat depth from 18 inches to 19 inches. The highest seat height is 19.5 inches and lowest is 15.5 inches and it weighs 7.5 lbs.
For safety, the Healthline Transfer Bench has suction cups on the legs to keep the chair from slipping and in addition, the seat has drainage holes also to keep the user from slipping. Best comfort and durability are all in one with the blow molded back and seat and what’s more, for its durability, the anodized aluminum frame is resistant to corrosion and very light weight but durable.
The Healthline Adjustable Bench shower chair is definitely environmental friendly because of its raw material for the arm rest tube. It is also easily reversible transfer bench and is very affordable for a safe shower chair for the elderly. The dimensions of the chair are 17 inches by 5 inches by 28 inches overall and it can handle either left or right side showers. Furthermore, it fits a standard sized tub.
Best Shower Chair for Elderly with Wheels
Duro-Med Shower Transport Chair White
Colored in white finish, the Duro-Med Shower Transport Chair White has wheels that are large and can easily roll over carpets or floors and the rear wheels lock in place when not in use. Also, the wheels make it easier to move from place to place or in and out of any shower as it easily fit over a toilet with a standard size for elderly use.
For its durability and overall stability, the backrest is made from waterproof PVC material and on its design; the arm rests help and aid the person to securely sit down in place. The seat is made from vinyl material and is padded for extra comfort. Do know that the chair has a weight capacity of up to 250 lbs and the size of the seat is 16 inches by 16 inches.
The Duro-Med Shower Chair has latex and might require a few assembly tools to set up and the size of the whole chair is 22 inches by 22 inches by 34 inches. The height of the seat is 21 inches and also, the shower chair for elderly weighs 18 lbs. Aside from that, the caster has a size of 4 inches and overall, it is very ideal for assisting the elderly over the toilet.
Best Wooden Shower Chair
Aqua Teak 18″ Teak Shower Bench
The Aqua Teak 18″ Teak Shower Bench is a best wooden shower chair for elderly which measures 18 inches in height and width. It has been made from legitimate teak wood that is shower friendly, water resistant and sustainably harvested and has a depth of 12 inches.
The feet is rubber padded to give it a better grip on the floor surface. For its durability and build, it comes with super durable hardware made from stainless steel so it will last in the shower for a very long time. This chair for shower use weighs 22.4 lbs and there are slats in the seat which measure 1/4 inches so the water will drain and not accumulate at the seat for convenience.
All in all, the Aqua Teak Bench has a very compact design and great for travelling when disassembled and in addition, the bottom legs measure 15 inches in width. When you order the Teak Shower Bench, it is under a 5 year warranty with 30 days money back guarantee.
Ideal Shower Chair for Corner Use
15.5″ Teak Shower Bench with Shelf
The 15.5″ Teak Shower Bench with Shelf is great for use on small shower spaces for corners. It also comes with a bottom shelf for placing anything you need. For its specifics, it measures 15.5 inches in height and for its material, it is truly made from sustainably harvested legitimate teak wood.
It is extremely shower friendly and great for both indoor and outdoor use due to its water resistant nature as teak wood. The hardware is made from stainless steel that does not rust and is super sturdy and furthermore, for comfort and stability, it comes with rubber gripping feet that are highly adjustable.
The Shower Bench with Shelf might require a few assembling as it weighs 13.5 lbs. It does have an elegant design and any haze that might appear on the shower chair can be removed with teak oil. As a whole, the Teak Shower Bench can take as much as 300 lbs of weight and the depth of the bench is around 15 inches while its height is 16 inches. This chair for shower use has a 5 year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee.
Shower Chair with Swivel Feature
Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench Swivel Seat
If you want a shower chair for elderly that can swivel around for ease of use then you would want the Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench Swivel Seat which is padded in blue color finish for the chair. For its design, it has a set of pivoting arms as well as a swivel chair design for easy flexibility.
This shower chair uses a sliding transfer mechanism for convenience for the elderly in showering and bath time and all in all, the design is a space saver. The parts of the chair are not hard plastic and are not slippery because they are warm to touch and are slip resistant which uses material padding made from closed cell molded polyurethane which cannot absorb water, making it very easy to clean up.
As for its design, the quality of this shower chair for the elderly is of hospital and medical grade. What’s more, the armrest is highly adjustable for its width so more people of various sizes can sit in with safety. This shower chair transfers to and from the chair are hassle-free and for its armrest design, the padded arm rests can be easily locked into place as well as lowered or raised and are also pivoting.
Compared to most normal looking shower chairs for elderly, the high contrast color makes the chair extremely visible to the elderly with poor eyesight or color blind users. The adjustment increment of the leg height is every 0.5 inches and it weighs 20 lbs. Also, the armrests are adjustable from 17 inches to 19 inches and the seat’s horizontal travel measures 12 inches. Adding to that, the seat can be easily adjusted from 19 inches to 23.5 inches.
For a safety feature, the Carousel Sliding Bench Swivel shower chair comes with a seat belt and its weight capacity is 330 pounds. Furthermore, its leg height adjustment is from 20 to 22 inches. Generally, this shower chair is build to last with its rust proof aluminum that is also super light weight and sturdy. You can adjust the height of the chair without tools to use.
Best Sliding Shower Chair for Elderly
Drive Folding Universal Sliding Transfer Bench
Given a bright white colored finish, the Drive Folding Universal Sliding Transfer Bench has an easy folding mechanism for storing as well as for travelling. Do know that at 1/2 inch increments, it can adjust the seat height. It can easily slide left and right for getting into the shower or tub and its weight capacity is 300 pounds.
For security, the Drive Folding Bench includes a safety belt and has a weight of 14.1 lbs. In addition to that, it has a safety net which catches most personal items that might accidentally be dropped and also has a removable soap dish for convenience.
As for measurement, the dimensions of the seat are 18.5 inches in depth, 22.5 inches in width and 21 to 25 inches in height and the overall length of the shower chair is 42 inches. It is easily lockable into place from either end of the shower bench. The shower chair for elderly has a limited lifetime warranty.
Shower Chair for Elderly with Commode
Drive Medical Aluminum Shower Chair Commode
The Drive Medical Aluminum Shower Chair Commode comes with a commode and casters for elderly assistance. It is a shower chair with a build that is made from sturdy, light weight and rust proof anodized aluminum material. The 2 rear locking swivel casters are rust proof and non skid and measure 3 inches and the toilet seat is made from vinyl.
For ease of use, it comes with wheels for easy mobility and has an open front design. It weighs 3.1 lbs and has a convenient padded seat design. The included commode bucket is removable and measures 12 quarts and comes with a cover and it is easily assembled due to its brass push button. It can also double as a travel chair for the elderly.
As for its limit, its weight capacity of 300 pounds and the width between arms is 18 inches. The seat measures 16 inches in depth, 21 inches in height from the floor and 16 inches in width.
Shower Chair with Footrest
MJM International Standard Shower Chair
The MJM International Standard Shower Chair is ideal for the elderly who want a shower chair with a convenient foot rest. It is made with latex free material and is also available in royal blue, mauve and forest green back rest colors.
As for its measurements, the shower chair for elderly has a height of 40.5 inches; width of 22 inches and a depth of 25.25 inches and includes a commode pail for elderly convenience. As for its design, the arm rests have a drop arms layout. The MJM Chair comes with a foot rest that has a slide out mechanism.
For its overall comfort and convenience, it is good to know that the capacity of the commode pail is 10 quarts and as for its limit, the weight capacity of the chair is 300 pounds. As for its visual appearance, it has an open front seat design and for its measurement, the internal width is 18 inches. All in all, this chair for showering fits any standard handicap toilet. The chair weighs 28 lbs and the hand grips are nonslip. In addition, the casters are stem and threaded and are rust proof for extra durability.
As a whole, the design of the chair mesh back is resistant to mildew, antibacterial and easy to dry up when cleaned and is easily removable and comes with a pouch or pocket. You should not be worried about safety as it has no sharp edges due to its contoured frame to make it very friendly towards the elderly and it is also free from lead and phthalates. The MJM Standard Chair for Shower for elderly is made from high grade polymer plastic that is super sturdy.
The Competition
Shower chairs for elderly are very important pieces of bath add-ons and they should be safe. Others might not be as safe as the ones we have reviewed here.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do the elderly need to have a shower chair?
A: According to Consumer Affairs , most injuries of elderly people are caused at home by falling on bathrooms and in general, bathrooms are slippery and can be very dangerous for the elderly and the handicapped. A shower chair provides stability for the elderly who may have a hard time balancing and resting in the shower or standing for too long in the bathroom.
Q: What other things could I do besides putting up a shower chair to keep the elderly safe from harm in the bathroom?
A: According to Generate Solutions , one can install grab bars around the shower for easy walking and keeping up the balance of the elderly while bathing in the shower or in the bathroom. As for bathing, installing heaters is recommended, especially for very cold places, but it is most likely that most homes in the United States and northern countries will have heaters in their shower system already.
In addition to that, some rubber mats should be at the tub’s bottom to keep the elderly secured and away from slipping and they should also be placed strategically in the bathroom if you are living with the elderly or some people who are prone to slipping in the bathroom in general or in the shower. You should also keep the tub surface area as dry as possible when not in use or before being used by the elderly or someone with a tendency to slip.
Adding to that, some handheld shower heads are very convenient options for taking a bath for the seniors and they provide very safe and easy to use bath experience for the elderly. Also, liquid soap dispensers and shampoo containers should be easily accessible for them.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it – the NOVA Medical Products Deluxe Bath Seat is our best shower chair for elderly simply because it has the necessary safety features needed by our senior parents or grandparents to be able to bath properly and safely in the shower.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.