Shower Stools and Chairs

The shower seat: comfort within reach.

A shower chair is a practical help for people with limited mobility. It lets you shower safely and in real comfort. Several styles cover different needs. Ready to make the bathroom easier for seniors or someone with limited mobility? Add a shower stool or a shower chair. Stable, low-profile, and good-looking, they make showering safer.

Shower chair or shower stool: which is the better choice?

Shower stools for seniors and limited mobility

A shower stool is a strong choice in a small space, because it takes up less room. It is also easy to store or carry, so it stays out of the way. A stool does assume the person still has enough muscle tone to stay seated without tipping sideways, forward, or backward.

Bathroom chairs for seniors and people with disabilities

A shower chair is built to live in a shower stall. Non-slip feet and footrests make it stable and secure. A shower seat is especially useful for seniors and people with limited mobility.

A shower chair is wider than a shower stool. It is the better fit when sitting without a backrest is difficult. The seat gives back support from the backrest, and the armrests give you something to hold so you can stay steady.

Some shower chairs roll, which makes them easier to move, especially for a caregiver.

How do you choose the best shower chair for a senior with limited mobility?

To choose a shower seat, start with how it will be used and with the person's strength and ability. You may need a fixed shower chair, a rolling shower chair, a shower stool, or a shower wheelchair. Which shower chair is the best fit?

Every shower seat adjusts in height, so you can set the seat to the right level. Before you buy, check the adjustment range. Each model has a minimum and a maximum height.

Our tips:

• Our shower stools and chairs are treated to resist rust and stay easy to keep clean.
• If balance is unsteady, choose a model with a backrest and armrests.
• Height-adjustable shower chairs fit the person using them.
• For easier storage, choose a folding shower stool.
• Choose a rolling shower chair if the seat needs to move.
• Seat width varies by model, so match it to body size.

How do you measure seat height?

As a rule, especially for a senior who finds sitting down difficult, measure from the floor to the middle of the back of the knee. That measurement is the ideal seat height.

The different shower seats:

Wall-mounted folding shower stool

A smart way to save space. If the shower stall is narrow, folding the seat flat against the wall keeps the floor clear. Fixed to the wall, it also has a backrest, just like a shower chair.

Rolling shower chair, or one without wheels?

A rolling shower chair for seniors or limited mobility helps when someone needs to enter the shower already seated. That matters most when the person has little independent mobility. They sit in the chair before bathing, and a caregiver rolls it into the shower. It is also easier for the caregiver to move them, and it can serve as a transfer chair from the shower to the bed for someone who is bed-bound. Some models come with a cushion so the chair can be pushed like a wheelchair.

Folding shower chair

Folding shower chairs are the right fit for a small bathroom. If you want a shower seat that stores in a corner between uses, this is the style to choose.

Shower chair with armrests

Armrests help with sitting and standing, so the legs do not carry all the weight. These chairs are mainly for people who can still sit and stand on their own, with some help. They also offer a steady hold that helps prevent falls.

Bariatric shower chair

Bariatric shower chairs are made for people with a larger build, including people who are overweight. Sturdier frames support the user well. They are also made wider for a more comfortable seat.

Make the shower safer:

1. Set the shower chair to the right height,
2. Place the chair inside the shower stall,
3. Check that the seat is stable and nothing is in the way,
4. Sit in the middle of the chair and shower while seated.

Who can prescribe a shower chair?

As with any prescription, your primary care doctor can prescribe a shower chair. As of this year, occupational therapists can also write a prescription for adaptive equipment.

Shower chair reimbursement

Shower chairs may qualify for reimbursement through French national health insurance. Only shower chairs with a cutout (an opening beneath the intimate area for washing), a bucket, and armrests are covered. All three are required: a commode chair, with a bucket and armrests. Coverage depends on those three features.

To request reimbursement for a shower chair from French national health insurance, follow these steps in order:

1. See your primary care doctor for a prescription,
2. Choose a model eligible for reimbursement (on Tous Ergo, the note "* Covered by French national health insurance" appears under the price)
3. Order the model you selected,
4. After it arrives, ask us for your CERFA form, or ask the retailer who sold you the product,
5. Send your invoice, CERFA form, and prescription to your CPAM (local French health insurance office) to request reimbursement!