Shower Wheelchair

[Barry52]

Does anyone use a shower wheelchair and if so what do you recommend? Presently I use a shower chair but getting in and out is becoming more difficult and I have had a few falls lately.

[jd58]

I have an half step to get in and out of the shower from social services

[Ellie]

Your OT will supply one Barry, but basically you’re looking for a wheeled shower chair/commode. They can be self-propelled (by rear wheel) or attendant chairs. For washing access, a keyhole shaped cut out in the seat is best, rather than sitting on an oval cut out (fine for the loo but not for giving your bits a good wash) and some chairs are open to the front and back.

The chairs themselves range from basic to fancy reclining ones. From my personal experience, plastic wheels are better than metal castors, the brakes being less lethal and easier on shoe soles. I also prefer footrests which swing in and out, rather than a bar which pulls out from under the seat. The seats themselves can be plastic, soft polyurethane, mesh or padded – hard plastic isn’t the comfiest, but for a shower, it’s perfectly OK.

Ask your OT what you’ll be given, Google the chair and see what you think. The cheap ones tend to be a false economy – common issues are brake and wheel problems.

Love Ellie.

[Ellie]

I have an half step to get in and out of the shower from social services

Erm, that's not great, is it -- what were they thinking about??!!

What do they expect you to do should you need a wheeled shower chair?

Love Ellie.

[Deb]

Hi Barry,

I have a shower wheel chair . Although I can't weightbear my arms are strong enough for me to transfer sideways onto it from the loo or bed or from my riser recliner.My husband stands in front just in case I topple forwards when transferring. My OT got me a fancy padded reclining one but I sent it back because I couldn't get on or off sideways as easily but it was really comfortable.

Mine is really basic and quite hard and is attendant controlled but its fine. I got an alert bracelet because obviously I can't take my phone in the shower.

Love Debbie x

[Barry52]

Thanks Ellie and Debbie. I haven’t seen an OT in years as my early experiences were not good and the equipment I was given was not fit for purpose so I relied on recommendations and bought my own. In fairness the best equipment the OT provided is my trolley but even then I sent the first one back because it had no brakes. My main issue is lack of balance and I have enough strength in my arms to self propel so a wheelchair is the answer but looking online doesn’t tell you how practical they are.

Ellie’s comments about footrests and wheels are something I hadn’t considered and I think it’s time I ignore my lack of confidence in the system and give the OT another chance.

Love,
Barry

[Bowler]

Barry you might need to consider a recline in space one. Ann had a fixed one to start with but as she progressed we had to change to a recliner. Although it’s call in space it does need a lot of room. Not sure if they do a self propel. Might be worth checking with the OT. We also had to change the seat a couple of times to get it right for Ann.

[Suefromwakey]

Barry have a butchers at my comment under the "Toilet Seat" - depending how tall you are I am sure your OT will get you one purpose made they did for my husband, get a banana board too

Sue

[Mary C]

I have had to order a shower chair that isn’t available by NHS to fit over a bio bidet seat fitted to toilet.I do also have an NHS padded freeway shower chair which suits me fine at present to shower.(Hubby assists me with a shower lately as when I stand my legs feel they will give way.)The shower chair For bio bidet was organised by Hospice OT who also secured funding for both bio and shower chair from MND association.

[Ellie]

Barry, def worth asking the OT and see what's offered.

The self-propelled chairs are bulkier and heavier than attendant chairs, but if it gives you more independence, that's not to be sniffed at!!

As you have PLS, even if one were offered, a reclining chair probably isn't worth the hassle - levers and cables can break, they are bigger and longer, harder to negotiate in confined spaces.

Let us know how you get on x

[denise]

I thought Doug had a shower wheel chair? Though I'm sure if he did he would have said. 🐍

[Barry52]

Shower wheelchair arrived today and thanks to MNDA for providing what SS wouldn’t. Test run tomorrow.

[Ellie]

That is just awful of your SS/OT, Barry - thank goodness you contacted the MNDA.

Hope it does the job now and you can get squeaky clean safely.

Love Ellie.

[Barry52]

A few teething problems which I’m sure I can resolve. Footplates hinder access but I will remove them once I find blanking caps to cover the holes as I don’t want water to enter. Squeaky clean now.

[Bowler]

Barry, don’t know what your reversing like but I had the same problem with Ann’s shower chair. I found reversing in solved the problem. A bit like parking a car.