Transfer

II. Bathing

C. Bath Devices

5. Types of Bath Seats

The bath seats selected in this section is to show the reader some of the common, low-tech devices that are used most often by older adults. Although they are commonly used there are specific features the caregiver and care recipient should take into consideration before purchasing. The description of each bath seat will help the reader become familiar with the different features between them and help them select the most appropriate match of device for their care recipient's needs.

There are various styles of each variety of bath seats. Some have plastic, vinyl, padded or horseshoe shaped seats. Some have armrests or handles. Some have adjustable legs while others do not. They all have weight allowances. The bath seats are listed in order of use depending upon the care recipient's functional level (bath stool – bath lifts). The caregiver must ensure that the device selected will accommodate the care recipient's weight. Most have weight allowances up to 250 pounds. For those needing a chair to allow for weight over 250 pounds will need to select from specialized, bariatric (extra-large) products. It is recommended that the care giver seek assistance for appropriate selection since these items are costly. One key issue is to remember to measure the width of the tub to determine whether the bath device's legs will fit securely on the tub floor.

Stool – This device has no backrest, which allows easy access to wash the person's back. It fits directly into the tub and has four rubber-capped legs to prevent slipping in the tub. Make sure the legs can be adjustable for raising or lowering the height of the stool. The seat size and style can vary (round, rectangular). However, it is compact and fits narrow tubs and can be easily stored when not in use. Due to its narrow base, it can contribute to poor stability particularly for someone who has difficulty standing up. Some offer handgrips for those who have some difficulty maintaining balance in a seated position. The user must have very good trunk support to use this device without a backrest. A bath stool is good for those who may become fatigued sometime during the bathing process and may need to rest briefly or need to sit to bath lower extremities.
Bath chair - This device is helpful for those with some trunk control limitations (back strength) and need support. Unlike the stool, it has a backrest for back support but may obstruct easy access to bath the care recipient's back and other body parts. Like the stool, its legs should be adjustable and have four rubber-capped tips. The rubber tips act as suction cups so the chair does not shift during the transfer. The chair has a wider base than the stool which makes it safer than the stool. For correct fit, make sure to measure the tub floor width. If the tub is too narrow, the rubber tips will not rest on the tub floor but against the tub walls. Do not use the device if the four legs are not connecting the tub floor firmly or evenly. Some bath chairs have support arms or hand-grips while others do not. An armrest is recommended for those that may need something to hold to while washing lower extremities.
Tub transfer board – This device is used for those with very strong backs and who are of medium build. It rests on top of the tub's outer ledge. There must be adequate ledge on the wall side of the bathtub for the board to fit securely. So the tub should be measured before purchase. All tub boards have a means of adjustment underneath to ensure the board is fitted securely to the tub's walls. It allows the user to sit on the board first, then swivel and lift their legs over the bath side. The board must not be wider than the tub or it will tip when the person is transferring on and off it. When using this device, the user should never use it to lower their body down into the bottom of the tub. These devices are not recommended for tubs made from acrylic or fiberglass materials. These tubs can crack under stress. Before using each time, check the board to ensure it is firmly secured against the sides of the tub. Removing the board for cleaning the bathtub may cause the brackets to loosen over time. Slatted or perforated bath boards are better suited for using with a hand-held shower. The water can run off the board's surface and back into the tub.
Transfer Bench – This device has similar components of the bath chair and bath board. Like the bath chair it has a backrest but the seat is wider and two legs fit inside the tub and two legs outside the tub. Like the bath board, the wide seat allows to transfer into and out of the tub without standing. The transfer is performed from a seated position. These devices vary in styles and have a weight allowance. Newer models now have sliding seats that slide across the frame of the device so no physical movement of the user is needed. Like with other bath seats, the transfer board has special features that must be considered for it to fit the user's tub. Make note of the tub floor's height in comparison to the bathroom floor. Sometime one or the other will be higher than the other. The legs of the transfer bench must be adjusted in a position so that the board's seat slants slightly downward and toward the inside of the tub's floor. This allows for any water to run off the seat and back into the tub instead of out into the floor when using a hand-held shower. The outer legs need to be long enough to accommodate the differences in floor height in order to use safely. A word of a caution: The outer legs should not be extended to the point when the outer legs are no longer stable under pressure. Plastic legs are particularly known to bend if extended too far. If this happens, the outer floor may have to be modified or built up to bring its height up so the device can be used safely. Other types of tub benches have the outer two legs clamp onto the tub wall.

A new bath transfer bench with a sliding seat is on the market. It is placed in the tub like other transfer benches, with two legs inside the tub and two legs outside the tub. The bench spans across the width of the tub or shower. The user sits on the seat, lifts his/her legs (one at a time) over the tub edge. The person can slide the seat across the bench's frame to be centered into the tub. The caregiver or care recipient doesn't have to physically slide their body across the bench's seat to be centered inside the tub. The seat does the movement for them. Many older people complain that it's difficult to slide across a wet, stationary bath seat. Their skin gets stuck to the seat's material.

Bath Transfer Bench (video)

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