Aging is an inevitable part of life that the entire population will go through. Thankfully, they developed technology to help ease this process and ensure comfort and health as we all grow older. Part of this has led to the development of assistive devices. Assistive devices can help with everyday life, such as mobility, sleeping, eating and more. Along with the senior population, many other individuals will use these assistive devices, including pregnant women, individuals recovering from injury or surgery and those with disabilities.
One of the most essential parts of life is bathing, which can also be one of the most dangerous. Bathing involves many slippery surfaces that can be a hazard for those with a fall risk due to weakness, fatigue, poor balance, etc. Tub transfer benches ensure that individuals at risk during bathing can remain safe and independent during this process. This device and others, such as a shower chair, make bathing less dangerous and more enjoyable for seniors and other individuals.
Do you wonder what exactly to look for when purchasing a tub transfer bench? We’ll go over all the basics, features to look out for, and our top three product pics for tub transfer benches, allowing you to decide what product best fits your needs. The tub transfer bench you choose to take home will satisfy you.
What Is A Tub Transfer Bench?
Transferring in and out of bathtubs or shower stalls can be difficult for specific individuals. Showers and baths typically have a small ledge or wall you must step over to enter. This barrier can threaten those with a fall risk or limited mobility. Because of this, tub transfer benches are extremely popular and useful. The elderly may use them, those recovering from a stroke, or even those suffering from a hip fracture.
A bath transfer bench allows individuals to transfer in and out of the bathtub or shower without standing up. When using a tub transfer bench, they can remain seated while maneuvering over the ledge or wall on the barrier of the tub or shower. These products can vary in size, design, and setup based on how they’re meant to be used. Some tub transfer benches simply sit inside or outside of the tub, while others may have two legs in the bath and two legs outside. We’ll look more at how tub transfer benches work.
How to Use A Tub Transfer Bench
A bath transfer bench provides an ideal amount of bath safety for those with fall risk. Most bath transfer benches cross over the bathtub wall, allowing individuals to go in and out of the bath without needing to climb over. With two legs placed inside of the tub and the other two outside of the tub, they provide the perfect way to sit and easily lift your legs into the tub. Once inside the bathtub, you can use transfer benches as a bath chair or shower chair. Having this bath seat can ease the process of bathing and reduce fatigue, allowing individuals to bathe quickly and enjoyably.
Some bath chairs vary slightly in their design and functionality. For example, many bathtub transfer benches look more similar to solely serving the purpose of a bath chair—this often is the case. You can use these smaller bath transfer benches for both functions. They have a smaller footprint, meaning all four legs will be inside or outside of the tub. You can set the chair in or out of the tub to maneuver easily over the tub barrier while also being used to rest on during bathing. Some individuals prefer this type of tub bench as it’s a smaller product and more easily transported than larger tub benches.
Knowing the type of tub bench you need is the key to ensuring that you are happy with your purchase. Maybe you want a bench that you can easily move from one bathroom to another? Then a smaller shower chair that also functions as a tub transfer bench may be for you. Are you planning to keep your tub transfer bench in one room and want as much stability as possible? A larger tub bench with legs both in and out of the tub may better serve you. Either way, we will go over some features to look out for when shopping for a tub transfer bench.
What To Look For In A Tub Transfer Bench
Finding the right mobility aid can be a process—especially with so many options on the market today. Because of this, it’s a good idea to know what features you want in your tub transfer bench. Aside from portability, there are many factors to consider when finding the right fit for you. We’ll look at the most critical features to consider.
Height Adjustable Legs
Bathtub walls come in all different shapes and sizes, as do people. Because of this, your bathtub transfer bench must have height-adjustable legs. These adjustable legs will allow you to ensure that your tub bench is tall enough to cross over your bathtub wall but that it isn’t too tall and difficult to use. In addition, height-adjustable legs allow you to set your tub bench to the ideal height for you as an individual. This means that taller people won’t have to bend very far down to sit on their tub bench, and shorter individuals won’t have difficulty climbing onto a tub transfer bench that is too tall for them.
Grab Bar
Many individuals prefer to have a sturdy grab bar available when using a tub transfer bench. This grab bar allows them extra support when getting in and out of the tub and keeps them safe if they have limited mobility. Some tub transfer benches have only one grab bar, while others may have multiple grab bars on various sides of the product. Knowing how many grab bars you want your tub bench to have can help narrow down the best product for you.
Padded Seat
Many individuals rely on their tub transfer bench to also function as a bath chair or shower chair. Because of this, comfortability is essential, along with functionality. This brings forward the importance of a comfortable seat. You may prefer a padded seat for your tub transfer bench if you plan to use it for sitting while inside of your bath or shower. Having a comfortable padded seat will make your experience much more enjoyable. And don’t worry—tub benches with padded seats are still waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about ruining your tub seat by exposing it to water.
Suction Cups
Stability is one of the most important parts of a tub transfer bench. Without an abundance of stability, a tub transfer bench may not be safe for those with fall risks or limited mobility. Many tub transfer benches have suction cups on the bottom of the legs for increased stability. These suction cups will hold the legs in place by sticking to the floor of your bathtub. When your bathtub floor is wet and becomes slippery, you won’t have to worry about your tub transfer bench moving or becoming unstable.
Drainage Holes
Many individuals will use their tub bench as a bath chair in the shower. Because of this, water piling up in the chair can become a concern. Finding a tub transfer bench with drainage holes ensures that no excess water becomes a hazard. Water will simply drain through the bench holes into your bathtub and out with the rest of the water in which you are bathing.
Sliding or Swivel Seat
One of the most important features of a tub bench for individuals with mobility issues is accessibility. Without accessibility, using a tub bench can prove difficult and still pose a fall risk. This has caused many tub bench manufacturers to provide a sliding or swivel seat. This type of seat allows individuals to move easily over the tub wall with little to no effort. Simply sliding or turning their chair will easily allow them to get in or out of the bathtub.
If you choose to purchase a tub bench with a sliding or swivel seat, ensure the seat has a safety strap. This will ensure the individual using the chair is safe and secure inside of it, with no risk of falling out. When looking for peace of mind, a tub transfer bench with a swivel or sliding seat may be the way to go.
Top 3 Tub Transfer Bench Choices
Once you have narrowed down the features you are looking for in a tub transfer bench, finding the best one for you can seem challenging. There are many options on the market today, and weeding out the best choice can be time-consuming, so we’ve chosen three products that we believe are the best and have unique features to offer each user.
by Drive Medical
Drive Medical 1201 KD-1 Tub Transfer Bench
This Drive Medical tub transfer bench offers many features that give you the best of both worlds between a large and small tub bench. Designed to assist individuals in re-entering or exiting the tub, it provides a sense of independence and stability while minimizing risks and highlighting bathroom safety. This tub bench crosses over the tub wall, with two legs inside the tub and two legs outside the tub. This allows for easy entering and exiting of the tub and a place to sit when bathing or getting dressed.
One feature that makes this product stand out from the rest is the stabilizing backrest. This backrest supports individuals transferring in and out of the tub or using their product as a shower chair. This tub transfer bench also has adjustable leg height, meaning you can customize the bench to be the optimal height for you as an individual and the tub wall you will use. Included is a reversible armrest and grab bar, which you can attach to either side of the bench for the best use possible.
Stability is an essential component of any tub transfer bench- which is why this product includes suction cup feet to secure the bench to the bathtub floor and prevent slipping. Another significant feature of this Drive Medical tub transfer bench is the drainage holes within the seat, which prevent excess water from pooling and causing slip risks. The bench’s surface is also non-slip, providing stability and functionality as the primary goal of this product. If you are looking for a practical tub bench that is stable and sleek, this may be your product. With a 400 lb weight capacity and a 20-year warranty, you can have peace of mind when making this purchase.
by DMI
DMI Tub Transfer Bench
One of the most accessible tub benches that we have found is the DMI tub transfer bench. With a sliding seat, this product truly stands out from the rest. Simply sit and slide the seat over the tub wall- no stepping or climbing required. Also included is a safety strap, so you won’t have to worry about any accidents while using the sliding seat feature.
The DMI tub transfer bench has a non-slip aluminum body, making it lightweight and easy to transport without sacrificing durability. This product has a 400 lb weight limit while also being height adjustable, making it ideal for people of all different heights and a variety of bathtub wall sizes. One outstanding feature of this product is the shower wand holder, which allows you to bathe easily without standing to replace the showerhead when using other products. With a comfortable and sturdy backrest, you can always rely on the DMI tub transfer bench for stability a
nd help with limited mobility. If you are looking for a high-quality, helpful tub bench, this may be your product.
by Dr Kay's
Dr. Kay’s Bath and Shower Chair
When purchasing a tub bench, many individuals may prefer a more lightweight product with a smaller footprint. If that’s the case for you, look no further. Dr. Kay’s bath and shower chair is the sturdy, compact option many users prefer. Weighing only 4 lbs, this product has a weight capacity of 300 lbs. With six inches of height customization, this product is ideal for everyone.
Unlike the previously mentioned options, the DMI bath and shower chair is meant to have all four legs inside or outside of the tub. This makes it ideal for the smallest baths and showers, which other products may not fit. With drainage holes and handles on either side, they pack everything you may need into this product. You won’t need to break out the toolkit to use Dr. Kay’s bath and shower chair, as this product assembles easily and can be ready for use after delivery in no time. This chair is perfect for those who want a smaller tub bench and don’t want to break the bank at a lower price point. Overall, we love Dr. Kay’s tub bench for its portability, versatility, and ease of use.
Why You Should Get a Tub Transfer Bench
Many reasons might prompt you to invest in a tub transfer bench. Bathing can be dangerous for a variety of reasons, and they encourage those with limited mobility to take precautions. Tub transfer benches can help prevent fall risk and make bathing an easy and enjoyable process once again. No one wants to lose their independence, which is why purchasing a tub transfer bench can help you avoid this.
There are many features to look out for when purchasing a tub transfer bench. Suction cups and durable materials can help ensure that your tub transfer bench is reliable and stable during use. Adjustable leg height and swivel chairs can help customize these products to your needs and individual factors, such as personal height and tub setup. Features such as drainage holes, non-slip textures, and grab bars ensure you stay safe when using a tub transfer bench. When purchasing a tub transfer bench, be sure to narrow down the features you need and the type of tub bench you want. Some individuals prefer a tub bench with all legs in the tub, while others prefer those with legs crossing over the tub wall.
No matter what you are looking for in a tub transfer bench, there is an abundance of products that can surely satisfy you with your purchase. Be sure to check out our top three product picks to see what tub bench will be the best fit for you.
