explain to me why roll in showers

[maryonwheels46]

I'm just curious on how and why and not finding any fault at all. I'm a T9 para and just have always been interested in why some use them. When I was in rehab all they had was roll in showers and I had to have help every time to get on the shower chair then off of it to the bed to get dressed. I couldn't transfer from my wc to a shower bench. There just wasn't enough room to transfer without hitting the floor.They had little wheels so I couldn't roll myself. But in rehab there was a lot of things that wasn't accessible. I do understand it when you have to have help.
Here at home I use a shower bench that sits in a bath tub.
Mary

[SCI-Nurse]

1. Transfer to the shower chair (with large wheels) at bedside.
2. Roll over toilet, do bowel care.
3. Roll into shower to bathe, and dry off.
4. Roll back to bedside and transfer to bed.
5. Get dressed (do range, check skin, etc.).
6. Transfer to wheelchair.

3 transfers

or

1. Transfer to wheelchair.
2. Transfer to toilet.
3..Transfer to wheelchair.
4. Transfer to tub or shower chair.
5. Bathe and dry off.
6. Transfer to wheelchair.
7. Transfer to bed.
8. Get dressed.
9. Transfer to wheelchair.

7 transfers

(KLD)

[woman from Europe]

You need a shower chair with big wheels so you can wheel yourself. Nobody who is independent has a shower chair with small wheels. That is only used in hospital for any strange reason. Maybe they are afraid we are going to use up the hot water since we never can take a shower there ;)

[brucec]

1. Transfer to the shower chair (with large wheels) at bedside.
2. Roll over toilet, do bowel care.
3. Roll into shower to bathe, and dry off.
4. Roll back to bedside and transfer to bed.
5. Get dressed (do range, check skin, etc.).
6. Transfer to wheelchair.

3 transfers

(KLD)

yep, thats my routine, wouldn't even think of transferring in a wet area like the bathroom

[Tiger Racing]

1. Transfer to the shower chair (with large wheels) at bedside.
2. Roll over toilet, do bowel care.
3. Roll into shower to bathe, and dry off.
4. Roll back to bedside and transfer to bed.
5. Get dressed (do range, check skin, etc.).
6. Transfer to wheelchair.

So you have to have a big, ugly shower chair sitting in your bedroom all day? And you can't have carpet, because who wants to wheel a dripping shower chair from bathroom to bedside? You also, specifically have to have a bathroom that is big enough for a bulky shower chair to maneuver around the toilet and in and out of the shower. No thanx.

or

1. Transfer to wheelchair.
2. Transfer to toilet.
3..Transfer to wheelchair.
4. Transfer to tub or shower chair.
5. Bathe and dry off.
6. Transfer to wheelchair.
7. Transfer to bed.
8. Get dressed.
9. Transfer to wheelchair.

That pretty much works for me!

And I do realize that some people have different needs and limitations, but not everyone requires the more extensive modifications and equipment suggested in the first option.

C.

[canuck]

When I lived in a apartment with a roll in shower, I just used a plastic patio chair & transferred into that.

[SCI-Nurse]

Tiger, you are right, it is not for everyone, but the question was about why have a roll-in shower. Many find that they make their life much easier and more independent.

If you are dependent for transfers it is a lot more work for your caregiver to do all those transfers, even if using a lift, you cannot use a lift into a tub (unless it is a ceiling track lift) and even if you can do the transfers on your own, years of doing that will take a toll on your shoulders.

And why would you keep your shower/commode chair in the bedroom? We keep ours in the roll-in shower all the time except at the time it is needed, and never have problem with dripping water as we have hard surfaces (no carpet) in both the bathroom and bedroom area. Our roll-in shower is no more "ugly" than any other bathtub or shower stall, and in fact is nicer than when we had an inaccessible bathroom in the same space.

(KLD)

[sjean423]

I transfer to a shower bench as well, but in the early days, when I could not transfer alone, that assisted shower transfer was very sketchy. It is in an awkward position, with a very hard surface should you miss.

If the person in question wasn;t going to become independent in their transfers, a roll in shower is a much safer option.

[rybread]

I was fortunate enough to be able to build my house around my needs so I have a nice big roll in shower that my caregiver can join me in. Considering I can't transfer myself, I get in the shower chair by my bed get pushed into the shower, get my shower then get pushed back out, lifted with the Hoyer lift and put back in bed where I can get on my side for a little bit or just get dressed and do whatever I need to do. I couldn't imagine someone trying to transfer me onto a shower bench with me all wet and slippery, that's just begging for an accident. So now you know why I use one. Hopefully that will give you a little understanding. Besides, I don't quite have the balance to sit on a shower bench and I like to keep the cushion underneath me all the time considering I always feel like I'm fighting a sore.

[brucec]

So you have to have a big, ugly shower chair sitting in your bedroom all day? And you can't have carpet, because who wants to wheel a dripping shower chair from bathroom to bedside? You also, specifically have to have a bathroom that is big enough for a bulky shower chair to maneuver around the toilet and in and out of the shower. No thanx.

C.

I have a roll-in shower at both my houses, and both bedrooms have carpet, guess after showering is when I do my shave, brush teeth and stuff, so the chair is not dripping when I roll back into the bedroom.

works for me.

[Tiger Racing]

I have a roll-in shower at both my houses, and both bedrooms have carpet, guess after showering is when I do my shave, brush teeth and stuff, so the chair is not dripping when I roll back into the bedroom.

That makes some sense, but I wouldn't want to count on it. What if my phone rang? Or I wanted to go to the kitchen for a drink? Or any of a dozen other changes in routine that I always try to avoid, but still crop up on a regular basis...

Glad your set-up works for you. I know how frustrating it can be when one has to work around logistical issues.

C.

[partygirl]

I too have a roll in shower for all the reasons KLD enunciated. It's great. My routine is exactly as described point by point. I do my teeth, hair etc after shower so my chair ain't dripping when I go to the bedroom (carpeted)

[Foolish Old]

I built my house to be as accessible to myself and any guests as financially and esthetically practical. The ADA compliant roll-in shower was built to accommodate guests who use shower chairs, my future needs, and the unknown needs of a buyer in the event I sell.

My bathroom is large, but not huge. Even the smaller guest bathroom has a 36" door and enough room to turn a wheelchair in a complete circle and shut the door.

I transfer to a shower bench from my regular wheelchair, The large, curbless shower allows me to get right up to the bench. I push my chair back out of the shower, cover it with a pad to absorb what the towel misses, draw the curtain and turn on the preheated shower. When I'm done showering, I towel-off a little, open the curtain and then pull the chair close to the shower bench and transfer. I then shave and brush my teeth at the sink.

Like most houses on the island, my entire house is tiled. If the phone rings, I let the answering machine take the call. If the door bell rings, I yell "go away". No one I want to see ever comes to my house without being expected.

[brucec]

That makes some sense, but I wouldn't want to count on it. What if my phone rang? Or I wanted to go to the kitchen for a drink? Or any of a dozen other changes in routine that I always try to avoid, but still crop up on a regular basis...

Glad your set-up works for you. I know how frustrating it can be when one has to work around logistical issues.

C.

not sure what you're asking, the shower chair has large wheels so if the phone rings, i roll into the tiled living room and answer it, i just transferred into my shower chair and was checking these email before i went into the bathroom,, this e & j shower chair is made to have water run off it, probably more water in my hair after showering than on the chair

both my places are tiled except the bedrooms, they have carpet, helps to keep either wheelchair from sliding when transferring

[new dimension]

we have gone so far as to place a massage table in the bathroom so we transfer to it after the shower, dress and then transfer to regular wheelchair feels more normal then getting back in bed, works great!!!!!

[brucec]

That makes some sense, but I wouldn't want to count on it. What if my phone rang? Or I wanted to go to the kitchen for a drink? Or any of a dozen other changes in routine that I always try to avoid, but still crop up on a regular basis...

Glad your set-up works for you. I know how frustrating it can be when one has to work around logistical issues.

C.

I should also mention I do everything first thing in he morning.
wake up, transfer to shower/commode chair, shower/ etc, some mornings do bowel program first, then hop back into bed, get dressed, transfer into regular chair and gone for the day

[kel13]

I got hurt while in college and since have returned to school to get my degree. Anyway one of the major reasons for this was that school had to have 'accessible housing' which includes the bathroom which has a bench that pulls out from the wall for showers. It is the most accessible place I've lived since injured on 3/4/04 and I've moved 8 times since then. I'm graduating this December and am now stressed about finding housing since the bathrooms are always the problem for wheelchair users.

[vjls]

i have a caregiver that assisted me in transfering bare butt board in pillow case to shower
chair i really need to get a new 1 as lol 1 tire on and non but rim on other side

i just can/t figure out how to get my bare butt over and i am not that heavy by myself

[rybread]

i have a caregiver that assisted me in transfering bare butt board in pillow case to shower
chair i really need to get a new 1 as lol 1 tire on and non but rim on other side

i just can/t figure out how to get my bare butt over and i am not that heavy by myself

Have you ever considered using a hoyer lift? I have one and use it both to get in my chair and in my shower chair. There is absolutely no shearing using the Hoyer lift. I have to use it because I'm too heavy for my little female caregivers to transfer me. LOL.

[maryonwheels46]

At least I understand now. I can totally understand why I am having so much trouble with my shoulders. Once it starts it don't let up. Thanks all.
Mary

[maryonwheels46]

One more thing, I have screen door handles in the middle of my doors so I can turn around and grab them to close the doors. It works great. If the door is wide open and I need to shut it going out I can always reach the middle of the door instead of the door knob.
Mary