Today on the market there is a huge assortment of products that make it easier for people with disabilities to use the bathroom and receive water procedures. One of these special devices is a bath seat for the elderly and disabled.
What is it like?
This is an object in the form of a chair, bench or chair, which is made using a special technology in order to make bathing more convenient for people with age or certain physical limitations.
Some models are mounted on the sides of the water tank, others have legs in a rubber shell that are placed on the bottom of the tank itself. There are other design options - they will be discussed later. However, all bath seats perform one task - to help people with mobility problems, complete the washing procedure.
However, other family members can also use this piece of furniture to provide themselves with additional comfort while bathing.
Selection tips
- The main criteria when buying such seats are, of course, their reliability and safety. Therefore, product quality should be a priority. This is not an item to save on. Therefore, give preference to a trusted reliable manufacturer, which has all the necessary certificates of conformity and quality for the goods.
- The seat must fit the bathroom exactly. You should know its dimensions (length, width and depth) and, already relying on them, look for a suitable instance. It directly depends on how safe and convenient it will be for a person with disabilities to use the purchased item.
- It is worth examining the maximum number of market offers in this area and choosing from the possible ones that particular model of chair that will be most appropriate in each particular case. Be sure to consider the material from which the bath seat is made, as well as the nuances of the design, find out the pros and cons of all options to make the right choice.
- Be sure to specify the maximum weight for which the product is designed. For example, a fairly large person should not buy a chair made of plastic - it is better to give preference to a more durable wooden counterpart.
- Design is, of course, not a primary factor when choosing a bath seat, since aesthetics are not so much important as functionality. However, if you buy a chair for a child, it is better that it be bright, colorful, like the baby and evoke positive joyful emotions in him. Moreover, in the children's product line there is a wide variety of all kinds of drawings and colors from which you can choose what you want.
Seat types
Seats for the bath are divided into several types according to the following parameters.
According to the material:
They are not made entirely of wood. The frame is made of metal, and wooden plates are already strung on it, of which the main part of the product consists.
These seats have many advantages. Firstly, they are environmentally friendly and do not irritate the skin when in contact with it. Also, in terms of strength, reliability and, as a consequence, durability, these chairs are confidently in the lead, which is why they are in great demand among buyers.
They are inferior in strength to their wooden competitors and cannot withstand too much weight, therefore they are suitable for use mainly by children. But there are more advanced models that are made from modern composite materials. They are much more durable and have a longer lifespan. Such plastic is resistant to high temperatures and does not deteriorate from constant contact with water. However, such seats are much more expensive than wooden ones.
They are pipes that are attached to each other by welding. And although such bath seats are very reliable and sturdy, they are not quite comfortable and are not suitable for children. Recently, the demand for them has declined significantly.
By design features
Here, too, have their own options:
This type of seat is very popular because it allows a person to make turns in different directions, thereby making taking a bath much more convenient and easier. Thanks to a good mounting system, such a device is able to withstand even the most abrupt movements along a given path, and a person can not be afraid that he will fall into the water. The advantage of such a chair is that you can first sit on it, then - turn to the desired angle and end up in a container of water.
Such bathing seats in the bathroom make it possible to adjust the degree of immersion in water. A person chooses the most comfortable mode for himself. He can both raise the chair higher, if, for example, he wants to take a shower, and lower it below, so that a large surface of the body is in the water.
Folding seats are very practical, as they do not take up much space - after all, you can simply fold and put them after use. For small bathrooms, this is just perfect. Also, due to their compact size, they are very convenient for transportation.
Mechanized chairs today are the most advanced and advanced. Adjustment in them is carried out mechanically or due to electricity. At the same time, the wires are reliably protected from contact with water, which makes the device absolutely safe to operate. These bathroom seats for the elderly and the disabled have only one, but a significant disadvantage for many is the price is too high.
Armchairs with a back
Such a chair creates for a person sitting on it even greater comfort and convenience, since there is the possibility of leaning on a wide back when taking water procedures, and this will contribute to additional muscle relaxation and relaxation. But it is better to take a model with a removable or retractable back, as sometimes it can interfere with the use of the product for its intended purpose. Often, such chairs are equipped with some accessories, such as a foot mat that prevents them from slipping, or, for example, folding handles to make it easier to sit down.
How to use and care for the bath seat
In order for the construction to last as long as possible, not to break down, and moreover not to cause harm to the person who will use it, it is necessary to properly operate it, as well as observe certain rules of care and storage. Here are some suggestions:
1. Clear fixation.
The bath seat for the disabled and the elderly must be very accurately and thoroughly fixed to the sides of the bathing tank. Due to improper fastening, not only can the object be broken, but the person on it risks serious damage. Therefore, always make sure that the seat is securely locked.
2. The temperature for which the design is designed should not be higher than 40 degrees.
3. It is necessary to timely replace damaged rubber parts of the fasteners with new ones.
4. Store the structure preferably in a place protected from the sun.
5. After use, the seat must be washed in warm water using special cleaning agents, and then wiped dry to prevent metal from rusting and wood not getting dark.
6. Do not remove stains that appear on the product with a solvent or all kinds of abrasive materials.
Now you know how to choose a bath seat for the elderly and disabled. And although this is not the cheapest purchase, it can make the life of your loved one much more comfortable and enjoyable.