Shower and Toilet Chairs: Difference between revisions

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== Intro ==
== Intro ==
Mobility is a essential component required for activities of daily living (ADLs).  Bathroom tasks such as toileting and showering can become difficult when mobility is limited.  Research shows that elderly adults ranked showering as the most difficult ADL, with toileting the third most difficult. <ref name=":0">De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Torres G, Seoane-Bouzas M, Ávila A. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6453482/ Exploring the use of assistive products to promote functional independence in self-care activities in the bathroom]. Plos one. 2019 Apr 8;14(4):e0215002.</ref>  The same article points out that people with disabilities and health care practitioners report the need for independent toileting to avoid feelings of loss self-esteem.<ref name=":0" />    Bathroom adaptations through assistive technology can help individuals that have difficulty with toileting and showering.  Various types of assistive technology for person hygiene and toileting including grab bars, nonslip mats, bath transfer benches and raised toilet seats.<ref name=":1">Guay M, Latulippe K, Auger C, Giroux D, Séguin-Tremblay N, Gauthier J, Genest C, Morales E, Vincent C. [https://www.jmir.org/2020/8/e16175/ Self-selection of bathroom-assistive technology: development of an electronic decision support system] (Hygiene 2.0). Journal of medical internet research. 2020 Aug 10;22(8):e16175.</ref><ref name=":0" />  Using assistive devices can increase independence, physical stability, confidence and safety.<ref name=":2">Meng H, Peterson LJ, Feng L, Dobbs D, Hyer K. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2333721419885291 The Use of Mobility Devices and Personal Assistance: A Joint Modeling Approach]. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 2019 Oct;5:2333721419885291.</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />  In addition, assistive technology can decease the burden on caregivers and health care workers.<ref name=":2" />
Mobility is a essential component required for activities of daily living (ADLs).  Bathroom tasks such as toileting and showering can become difficult when mobility is limited.  Research shows that elderly adults ranked showering as the most difficult ADL, with toileting the third most difficult. <ref name=":0">De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Torres G, Seoane-Bouzas M, Ávila A. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6453482/ Exploring the use of assistive products to promote functional independence in self-care activities in the bathroom]. Plos one. 2019 Apr 8;14(4):e0215002.</ref>  The same article points out that people with disabilities and health care practitioners report the need for independent toileting to avoid feelings of loss self-esteem.<ref name=":0" />    Bathroom adaptations through assistive technology can help individuals that have difficulty with toileting and showering.  Various types of assistive technology for person hygiene and toileting including grab bars, nonslip mats, bath transfer benches and raised toilet seats.<ref name=":1">Guay M, Latulippe K, Auger C, Giroux D, Séguin-Tremblay N, Gauthier J, Genest C, Morales E, Vincent C. [https://www.jmir.org/2020/8/e16175/ Self-selection of bathroom-assistive technology: development of an electronic decision support system] (Hygiene 2.0). Journal of medical internet research. 2020 Aug 10;22(8):e16175.</ref><ref name=":0" />  Using assistive devices can increase independence, physical stability, confidence and safety.<ref name=":2">Meng H, Peterson LJ, Feng L, Dobbs D, Hyer K. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2333721419885291 The Use of Mobility Devices and Personal Assistance: A Joint Modeling Approach]. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 2019 Oct;5:2333721419885291.</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />  In addition, assistive technology can decease the burden on caregivers and health care workers.<ref name=":2" />
=== Need for a shower and toilet chair ===
All populations from children to adults to the elderly can use a shower or toilet chair.  Essentially anyone with a physical limitations such as the following may benefit from this type of assistive product.<ref name=":3">World Health Organization. Training in Assistive Products (TAP). 2020.  Available from https://www.gate-tap.org/all-modules/</ref>
* difficulty standing or can not stand
* gets dizzy or tired during shower time
* at risk for falls or afraid of falling
* difficulty sitting down and standing up and/or squatting<ref name=":3" />
=== Shower Chairs ===
Shower stools and chairs are useful for individuals who need to sit down while washing themselves due to limited balance, strength or mobility. Components of a good shower stool or chair include the following elements:
* carry the weight of the user
* brakes if they have wheels; rubber stoppers if they have legs
* rust resistant
* water resistant
* durable and strong
* smooth finish
** Optional features:
*** padding on seat
*** armrests and backrests
*** castor wheels with brakes
P'''ressure Wound'''
* '''A pressure wound is a breakdown of the skin. It is usually over a bony area.'''
* '''Most toilet and shower chairs have hard surfaces. This makes them more resistant to water and easier to clean.'''
* '''However, if a person is at risk of a pressure wound, select a chair with padded surfaces. This will help reduce the risk of a pressure wound.'''
* '''People at risk of a pressure wound from a toilet or shower chair includes those who:'''
* '''Have reduced sensation (feeling) in their buttocks, thighs, back or any other area that comes into contact with the chair'''
* '''Have had a pressure wound in the past'''
* '''Are thin or frail'''
* '''Cannot easily shift their weight themselves while on the toilet or shower chair.'''
'''** During assessment, always ask the person if they have any pressure wounds. If yes  refer the person to a health care professional.'''
'''** If when sitting on a toilet or shower chair the pressure wound is in contact with the chair, the person should avoid using the chair until the wound is fully healed.'''


== Resources ==
== Resources ==

Revision as of 20:10, 13 July 2022

Original Editor - Robin Tacchetti Top Contributors - Robin Tacchetti, Jess Bell and Kim Jackson


Intro[edit | edit source]

Mobility is a essential component required for activities of daily living (ADLs). Bathroom tasks such as toileting and showering can become difficult when mobility is limited. Research shows that elderly adults ranked showering as the most difficult ADL, with toileting the third most difficult. [1] The same article points out that people with disabilities and health care practitioners report the need for independent toileting to avoid feelings of loss self-esteem.[1] Bathroom adaptations through assistive technology can help individuals that have difficulty with toileting and showering. Various types of assistive technology for person hygiene and toileting including grab bars, nonslip mats, bath transfer benches and raised toilet seats.[2][1] Using assistive devices can increase independence, physical stability, confidence and safety.[3][1][2] In addition, assistive technology can decease the burden on caregivers and health care workers.[3]

Need for a shower and toilet chair[edit | edit source]

All populations from children to adults to the elderly can use a shower or toilet chair. Essentially anyone with a physical limitations such as the following may benefit from this type of assistive product.[4]

  • difficulty standing or can not stand
  • gets dizzy or tired during shower time
  • at risk for falls or afraid of falling
  • difficulty sitting down and standing up and/or squatting[4]

Shower Chairs[edit | edit source]

Shower stools and chairs are useful for individuals who need to sit down while washing themselves due to limited balance, strength or mobility. Components of a good shower stool or chair include the following elements:

  • carry the weight of the user
  • brakes if they have wheels; rubber stoppers if they have legs
  • rust resistant
  • water resistant
  • durable and strong
  • smooth finish
    • Optional features:
      • padding on seat
      • armrests and backrests
      • castor wheels with brakes



Pressure Wound

  • A pressure wound is a breakdown of the skin. It is usually over a bony area.
  • Most toilet and shower chairs have hard surfaces. This makes them more resistant to water and easier to clean.
  • However, if a person is at risk of a pressure wound, select a chair with padded surfaces. This will help reduce the risk of a pressure wound.
  • People at risk of a pressure wound from a toilet or shower chair includes those who:
  • Have reduced sensation (feeling) in their buttocks, thighs, back or any other area that comes into contact with the chair
  • Have had a pressure wound in the past
  • Are thin or frail
  • Cannot easily shift their weight themselves while on the toilet or shower chair.

** During assessment, always ask the person if they have any pressure wounds. If yes  refer the person to a health care professional.

** If when sitting on a toilet or shower chair the pressure wound is in contact with the chair, the person should avoid using the chair until the wound is fully healed.


Resources[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Torres G, Seoane-Bouzas M, Ávila A. Exploring the use of assistive products to promote functional independence in self-care activities in the bathroom. Plos one. 2019 Apr 8;14(4):e0215002.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Guay M, Latulippe K, Auger C, Giroux D, Séguin-Tremblay N, Gauthier J, Genest C, Morales E, Vincent C. Self-selection of bathroom-assistive technology: development of an electronic decision support system (Hygiene 2.0). Journal of medical internet research. 2020 Aug 10;22(8):e16175.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Meng H, Peterson LJ, Feng L, Dobbs D, Hyer K. The Use of Mobility Devices and Personal Assistance: A Joint Modeling Approach. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 2019 Oct;5:2333721419885291.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 World Health Organization. Training in Assistive Products (TAP). 2020. Available from https://www.gate-tap.org/all-modules/
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