When you have limited mobility, simple tasks like taking a shower/bath can prove difficult and near impossible to do. Thankfully, there are modifications that you can make to your bathroom to make it more accessible and senior-friendly. One of these devices includes a transfer bench, a device that makes getting in and out of the bathtub easier and safer.
In this article, I'll review some of the best transfer benches available on the market, and I'll also provide answers to frequently asked questions to better describe what transfer benches are, how they help, and how to properly use them to get the most out of your device.
Our Picks
Best Shower Transfer Bench for Elderly (Overall)
The Moen Transfer Bench creates a stable and secure way to help you get in and out of the bathtub. It’s height-adjustable, so it can be customized to fit any size tub. The Transfer Bench is outfitted with a non-slip surface to maximize security and reduce the risk of slipping and falling.
Also, this Transfer Bench is equipped with a revolutionary support handle that provides extra stability to help you ease your way in and out of the tub.
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The Moen Home Care Transfer Bench is built to make getting out of the tub easier and safer. It has a modern design that, unlike traditional transfer benches, will effortlessly blend into the style of your bathroom. It can support up to 400 pounds, which qualifies it as a heavy-duty device that will provide all of the support you need to safely get in and out of the bathtub. However, I would be careful with the support handle since it’s not stated anywhere that it’s slip-resistant. This may pose a fall hazard.
Best Sliding Shower Transfer Bench
The Platinum Health Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench makes getting in and out of the tub effortless and safe. The seat is padded to add extra comfort and create a slip-resistant seat that enhances safety and stability. It’s also water-resistant to ensure to reduce its risk of water damage and increase its longevity.
Additionally, the padded seat swivels to give you better, easier access that makes getting in and out of the bathtub more convenient, while taking up less space in your bathroom than traditional transfer benches.
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The Platinum Health Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench is equipped with swivel-seat that’s designed to make it more convenient to get in and out of the tub. It also takes up less space in your bathroom, so you have more breathing room when you get out of the tub to do what you need to do. This transfer bench is ideal for people with very limited mobility, people who are recovering from hip, leg, knee, and back surgery, and pregnant women who have trouble getting in and out of the tub safely.
Best Bariatic Transfer Bench
The OasisSpace Tub Transfer Bench is FDA-approved to maximize safety and comfort when you get in and out of the bathtub. There are 10 height positions that you can utilize to customize your Tub Transfer Bench to ensure that you’re using a device that’ll work best for your needs.
It’s equipped with a padded handle to provide a secure grip to reduce your risk of falls, as well as over 30 drainage holes to limit slips and slides. The Tub Transfer Bench is lightweight and easily supports up to 400 pounds using a durable aluminum frame and wide dimensions as an added measure of comfort.
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The OasisSpace Tub Transfer Bench is a heavy-duty device that’s specifically designed to provide superior stability to help you get in and out of the bathtub. Its wide dimensions create enough room so that you feel more comfortable and not so caged in while you bathe. The seat has 30 drainage holes to reduce the risk of water damage, making this a long-lasting device that’s ideal for pregnant women, seniors with a mobility disability, and people with excess weight.
Best Padded Transfer Bench
The Homecraft Padded Transfer Bench is enhanced with superior suction cups to create a stable device that will let you get in and out of the bathtub safely. You can easily assemble this shower aid without using any tools, and it comes equipped with a removable back so that you can easily change your seating position.
Not only is the back removable, but you can also attach it to the other side of the transfer bench to give you the proper support no matter which way you decide to sit. The Padded Transfer Bench is a sturdy and reliable device that’s built for comfort, mobility assistance, and long-term use.
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The Homecraft Padded Transfer Bench maximizes comfort while also increasing safety and stability. It’s a simplistic device that’s equipped with a padded seat and backrest to reduce your risk of falls, provide optimal support for your body while you bathe, and make bathing comfortable, as well as easier. This device is best suited for seniors with a slight mobility disability who want to maintain their independence and people with a physical injury that inhibits them from showering on their own.
Best Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench with Swivel Seat
The Platinum Health Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench with a Swivel Seat is a medical-grade device that’s designed to make getting in and out of the bathtub easier. The Backrest and Seat are padded with non-slip foam to increase comfort and safety. Also, the seat is water-resistant to reduce the risk of water damage, make clean-up easy, and create a long-lasting shower aid. Unlike traditional tub transfer benches, this device is equipped with a swiveling seat that takes up less space in your bathroom and makes getting in and out of the bathtub more convenient. It also comes with pivoting armrests that provide additional physical support and a secure grip to protect against slips and falls.
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The Platinum Health Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench is equipped with a high-quality seat that swivels and slides to make getting in and out of the bathtub easier and safer. The seat swivels to reduce the space the chair takes up in the bathroom, and it slides to help you get in and out the tub safely by reducing your risk of slips and falls. It’s best suited for seniors with limited mobility and people who have a physical injury.
FAQ’s
A shower transfer bench is similar to a shower chair because it’s a mobility device that helps users get in and out of the bathtub safely and easily. The difference between the two is that transfer benches sit partly in the tub and partly outside of the tub, which is how it helps you get in and out of the bathtub. Some transfer benches come with a seat that slides or swivels to make getting in and out of the bath even easier.
Transfer benches can range anywhere between $50 and $600. If you can’t afford one, you can talk with your doctor to determine if your insurance will cover the cost of a transfer bench.
Here are a few things to ask yourself when buying a transfer bench:
- 1Is it height-adjustable?
- 2What is the weight capacity?
- 3Does the seat swivel or slide?
- 4Is it equipped with a support handle?
- 5Does it have a backrest?
- 6Can it be used on either side of the tub?
As I mentioned before, transfer benches sit on the inside and outside of your tub. To use one, you simply seat yourself securely on the “outside: part of the transfer bench, then scoot over and adjust yourself to the “inside” of the transfer bench.
This way, instead of struggling to get inside the tub safely, you use this elongated shower chair that provides an easier way to get into the tub. To get out of the tub, you simply do the same thing you did to get in while using the support handle, if there is one, to provide added support.
Conclusion
If you have a mobility disability, having a transfer bench can drastically improve how you get in and out of the bathtub. It works to increase safety, stability and depending on what kind you get, comfort. Make sure that the transfer bench that you're interested in is equipped with features that will perfectly meet your needs. If you need some more guidance, consult your doctor to learn what other options are available to you.
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