When seniors start to have difficulty with bathing, safety equipment such as a shower chair or a tub transfer bench can help them regain their independence and confidence. While both devices are meant to support someone with showering from a seated position in a bathtub, there are some inherent differences in how the equipment should be used.
This article will compare and contrast a shower chair vs a tub transfer bench to help illustrate when one device should be used over the other.
What Is A Shower Chair And How Is It Used?
A sitting surface for someone to use while in a bathtub or shower. Because its user will be sitting while showering, their risk of falling is reduced to some degree.
What Is A Tub Transfer Bench And How Is It Used?
A sitting surface that simultaneously sits inside and partially outside the tub. As a result, someone can sit on the exterior edge of the bench to shift their legs and body into the tub. This device is an excellent means of preventing falls as it eliminates the need to step over the tub edge.
Should You Use a Shower Chair or a Tub Transfer Bench
When deciding between a shower chair and a tub transfer bench, it is important to consider a few factors:
Space In The Bathroom
While both devices can go in a bathtub, it is important to consider the space available within one’s bathroom prior to using a shower chair or tub transfer bench.
Tub transfer benches have two feet that sit outside the bathtub. As a result, this may obstruct the walking pathway around the bathtub. When one’s bathroom is small, adding more equipment that may occupy the floor space can make the toilet or other parts of the bathroom inaccessible.
Shower chairs are smaller and take up less space. As a result, they can more easily be put away for storage if needed and occupy less room when being used.
Physical Abilities Of Its User
One of the biggest considerations to be mindful of when choosing between a shower chair and a tub transfer bench is the physical abilities of the intended user.
If someone has difficulty with stepping over the tub edge, it may be better to use a tub transfer bench which eliminates the need to step in and out of the tub. With a transfer bench, someone can sit on the exterior part of the bench and lift their legs over top of the bathtub wall to get inside.
When using a shower chair, one must continue to have good balance and strength to be able to step over the bathtub wall to get in or to exit the tub.
Intended Location Of Use
While its name may make some believe it is only intended to be used in a shower, a shower chair can also be used with bathtubs.
In contrast, a tub transfer bench is usually more well suited for use with bathtubs only. While they can be used in a shower, the barrier to this is usually its larger size as many shower stalls are smaller. In the end, most people find that a transfer bench is not very feasible to use within a shower.
Summary
Ultimately, each individual and home is different. It is important to consider the location where the device will be used, the abilities of its user and the amount of space that will be required to use the equipment safely.
This chart will summarize the different features and similarities between a shower chair and a tub transfer bench:
| Shower chair | Tub transfer bench |
| Uses less space and can be placed entirely within the bathtub. | Uses more space and sits partially outside a bathtub. May block the walking pathway around the bathtub. |
| Sitting surface only. | Sitting surface that also helps eliminate the need to step over the tub wall to get in or out. |
| Can be used in showers or bathtubs. | Generally limited to use in bathtubs related to its larger size. |