For many, if not most my age, balance issues are problematic. Prudent steps are universally recommended to mitigate potential falls.

One that has seen minimal comment here on the forum are shower benches or chairs. I do recall one of our senior members mentioning he had one that provided much appreciated reassurances in his shower but no model was identified.

For quite some time I'd wanted to acquire one. Didn't want anything with a back or arms that would further encroach on shower space. But that said the marketplace is overwhelmingly crazy with models. While recently confined to the isolation ward at my regional hospital I had a chance to use a unit they provided in the room's shower. I found it checked all the boxes so I've ordered one for home now.

Hope this helps some other members.

Carex Universal Bath Seat and Shower Chair
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AEGCUI?psc=1&ref

Don't forget to put hand rails all over inside the shower to help hold your balance.

My MIL needed them and I put in 3-4 of them.
When she went down she couldn't get back up without help.

I find seats without backs uncomfortable.

Here are a few both ways.

https://www.healthline.com/health/best-shower-chairs

My wife was having balance issues and she picked up a free one on offer up. It has the back and I think the one you posted looks much better, I’m going to order one.
They’re pretty good to sit down and wash your feet!

Do you have grab rails ?

Turning around with eyes closed I have to at least touch the Guard Rail. Biggest necessity without a doubt. I do like the sit down concept but its the implementation that's a concern.

I've thought of a nice 8-10" Plank across the back of the tub that can be easily moved or put away.

One of these days.

When we remodeled the bath room 20+ years ago, the former tub-footprint was replaced with shower install and a hand rail along with a folding shower seat bolted to the wall. So far so good.

I've used a couple of the cheapo plastic shower stools supplied by a couple of (nameless/shameful) hotels that actually did a slow collapse during my use. No injury but getting up was tricky. Many of the designs for handicapped guests are quite inventive & highly useful. Others are bits of garbage that may meet the theory of legal but escapes the actual reliability one wants.

Be aware of what you need when ordering.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Medicare will pay for most DME. {durable medical equipment} if your doctor orders it.

Drive brand offers a ton of options for balance-challenged people. I have a walker (mostly not needed now, a cane is sufficient) and one of their shower chairs.

The Drive customer service is pretty good. I found a crack in the aluminum leg assembly of the shower chair and contacted them for a replacement part. At their request I sent a photo of the faulty area, and a photo of the bar code for the chair. They immediately sent an entire new chair, updated model, at no cost.

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I did not know whom to contact at Drive; one of our SIGforum members who is (was?) in the medical equipment business gave me the information.

My father refused to use those and he ended up in the ER and nursing re-hab many times. I finally installed grab bars in his shower when he was in rehab. My wife is a PT and she has many stories about folks that will not take the proper precautions.

Good on you for this post. It is important for our senior members. Here is the question--how long do you want to stay in your home? Are you willing to swallow a little pride to stay in your home for another year or two? Its a no-brainer for me.

Take the advice and stay in your home for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by FishOn:
Good on you for this post. It is important for our senior members. Here is the question--how long do you want to stay in your home?

Thank you for the thumbs up to this thread.

As for staying in my house I've already done numerous things in the past like installing chair lifts for my tri-level home. Without them I couldn't continue to enjoy and live here.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by FishOn:
Good on you for this post. It is important for our senior members. Here is the question--how long do you want to stay in your home?

Thank you for the thumbs up to this thread.

As for staying in my house I've already done numerous things in the past like installing chair lifts for my tri-level home. Without them I couldn't continue to enjoy and live here.

Oh, for sure. This was not directed at you. You already are on top of things. I was just agreeing with you and encouraging other senior members to take note of your post. You would not believe the stories I hear every day from my wife, when she returns from work helping veterans etc. She loves those guys.

We are trying to help the local veterans home.

Let me know if any readers want to help, and I will make the direct contact. Yes this is a solicitation for US veterans. I will provide full disclosure of gifting track record. Please GIFT

My sister has serious mobility issues and needs a seat in the shower. She can't consistently stand up by herself from seated, so she needs some kind of arm rest or grab handles higher than the level of the seat. Just FYI for folks considering various features.

I needed hand assists after having double knee rereplacement. I purchased the Vaunn chair shown in the link above. The back is removable if you prefer that style. Very sturdy and comfortable, I still use it when I need to do foot care in the shower.

When we remodeled our bathroom a couple of years ago I had them put in a sturdy bench with a grab bar close by and a detachable shower head. I use all of it every time I take a shower. The chair you are talking about would work very well it seems to me.

A shower can be a dangerous place for the elderly.

I sometimes forget to step correctly and trip or almost trip, worries me, especially in the shower. So I went to Lowe’s and got a SS grab bar, diamond drill bit and went at the wall in the shower. It was super easy, didn’t make a mess, it’s strong too.

Highly recommend installing one if you have the slightest issues with balance.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Curious Mike.

Where did you install your bar? In front under the shower head/controls? On the wall facing the shower entry? And did you observe the recommended 33 to 36" height?

quote:

Originally posted by Mustang-PaPa:
Don't forget to put hand rails all over inside the shower to help hold your balance.

I installed 4 grab rails a few years ago (3 vertical and one horizontal), and I doubt I would still be here had I not. I have at least one hand on a rail when I first put a foot in the shower, and keep a hand on one or two for the entire shower.
 
Thanks to the info in this thread, I also just ordered one of the chairs mentioned in the link (the Vaunn).

^^^^^^^^^^

Happy to read this Henry. This is what makes our forum community so special.

New home builders,
Remember to install blocking between the wall studs,
(Behind the dry wall)

To fasten grab bars to.