ADA Compliant Shower Benches, Teak Shower Benches, Wall Mounted Folding Shower Seats

Who Uses Folding Shower Benches?
For our senior citizens, those with physical challenges, handicaps, or disabilities, it can be frightening and a significant daily challenge to perform simple tasks such as transitioning to a standing position and then transferring oneself into a bathtub or walk-in shower. This basic life skill can be especially treacherous since wet tile and slippery floor surfaces are common occurrences in bath and shower areas. Fortunately, we offer solutions to make this common ADL (activity of daily living) routine safer and more accessible to persons who have experienced a decline in balance function and reflexes.  We can address these challenges and create a much safer bathroom environment in part by installing an ADA compliant folding shower bench inside the shower stall area. Grab bars are also a great addition if the distance from the shower door to the shower seat is considerable or if the user is particularly unstable on his/her feet.

Benefits:
ADA Compliant Folding Shower Benches are beneficial and ergonomically useful for several reasons. Most apparent is that they can be folded up and placed out of the way to save space when they’re not being utilized. A unique feature to the wall units are that they can be wall-mounted into the studs and are therefore height adjustable. It is important to measure the sitting (seat to floor distance) of the primary patient using the unit, so that the bench can be wall-mounted at the proper vertical height from the floor surface. Optimal height mounting of the bench would be at the position where the user (patient) can sit on the bench and have both feet positioned flat on the floor, with the legs bent, (flexed) to 90 degrees. 

Features:
All of our ADA bath and shower benches are framed using 18 gauge stainless steel and are designed to endure a lifetime of use. Our benches are ADA Compliant and offer a high degree of safety and structural integrity when properly mounted onto wall studs or into a concrete wall.  By using concrete anchors or strong steel wood screws, if mounting to wooden studs, these units will adhere firmly to the wall and are are virtually indestructible. Our shower seats and benches are proudly manufactured in the USA. None are our benches have ever been reported to experience a weld failure. Weight capacities are high; with many of the benches being rated to support over 500 pounds. The construction quality of these benches cannot be matched by any overseas competitor. We also offer Standard Bath Benches which do not possess an ADA rating. 

Seat Surface Covering Options:
The bench's horizontal seat surface is covered in various materials. We offer plastic, teak wood, Naugahyde vinyl over foam, and a stainless steel sitting surface. Choosing a seat surface is very individualized. Some patients prefer the organic feel of natural wood or the timeless style and authenticity of teak wood. Alternately, other folks prefer the soft, more cushioned sitting experience of waterproof Naugahyde vinyl stretched over foam. Still other users prefer a plastic or stainless steel bench surface which is easy to clean and may perform better in environments where multiple patients may use the same shower bench. Stainless steel and plastic are the best choices for cleaning and sanitizing between uses.

Where are Folding Shower Benches and ADA Bath Seats used?
ADA compliant bath benches, chairs, and seats are commonly found in personal homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, public recreation facilities, gyms, spas, hotels, motels, hospitals and conference facilities. Many senior citizens are re-designing their homes as they age in place. ADA accessible bathroom design is a popular feature that is being requested among homeowners, home builders and re-modelers as they retrofit existing homes and bathrooms to create a safer and more comfortable shower and bathing experience. The smart path forward is to accommodate our seniors and the disabled by helping them to optimize both safety and improve independence for themselves into the retirement years. Folding bath benches are a crucial design component which should be incorporated into your successful ADA compliant home accessibility modification plan. 

Rehabmart is pleased to offer a wide selection of ADA compliant shower benches from such superior quality vendors as Access Able Designs, Invacare, Accessibility Professionals, and TeakWorks4U.

Written by:  Hulet Smith, OTR/L