Alternative to shower seat for elderly

squidzin

My grandmother has quite a large "wet room" but needs something to sit on to help herself shower that isn't expensive. I was thinking about getting one of those white plastic garden chairs as there is plenty of room for it ( she doesn't mind what the seat looks like!). Does anyone know where I can get one? Or can anyone think of any other cheap alternatives??

Thanks

belfastgirl23

Just be really careful that whatever you choose doesn't slide about when wet - the garden chairs aren't designed for the wet unfortunately! The other thing is that I can't imagine they would be nice to be naked on since they normally have no padding etc Why not get something from one of the specialist sites that deal with mobility issues? You might even find that you would be able to get something through your GP....

Personally i would not want to take any risks with something not specially designed for this...but very nice of you that you're trying to find something to help her...

Errata

There's a specialist platform seat which flips down from the wall and which is firmly fixed to the wall and has a non-slip surface. OT departments at your local hospital or your local council aids and adaptations service will have information on them.

kidshorsesdogs

I'd advise you to go through your GP for an occupationl therapy consultation, they will advise, supply and fit the correct seat. Failing that Argos sell some, I really wouldn't take the risk with white plastic chair as you need to have rubber feet.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8650579/Trail/searchtext>SHOWER+STOOL.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8650304/Trail/searchtext>SHOWER+STOOL.htm

You could try Freecyle as they do come up sometimes

Good luck

SailorSam

http://www.philipmorris.uk.com/prd.php?deptid=322
Good selection there, flip down and static ones.

squidzin

Thanks for the replies, very informative.

Wee_Bargain_Hunter

If you can't get a chair free via her GP and OT, then you could try Boots as they used to have a catalogue of health aids that can be ordered. Also see pg 1509 of the Argos book but try to buy via a chemist etc as you may be able to get it VAT free. If you are near Belfast then there's a chemist at In-Shops that does things like this.

sassycece

Hi my sister recently (Nov 08) bought a shower chair for my elderly parents in Lidl - I think it cost 20 quid and it is very effective - sturdy and doesn't slip. They may only be available at certain times however - we saw it advertised in their ad leaflet free with the Sunday papers.

tenmah

You could contact Social Services and ask for an Occupational Therapist's assessment. If it is a council property, then the local council should be able to install one from a recommendation.

If it is her own property, the OT can still assess her to assist her in getting the right chair.

Oldernotwiser

My husband uses a chair we bought from IKEA for £5. It's much steadier than many specially designed for the job that cost more than 10 times this amount.

SailorSam

I've had a brochure for Kleeneze through the door tonight. They have a sshower stool in there for £17, if you can find it on line , it is code number 019640-92.
It is a little similar to the cheaper of the two Argos ones.