Shower Chairs

jimnms · 07-01-2003, 12:41 PM

I have this shower chair by Invacare:

It is a peice of crap. They could have put more thought into the bucket that catches your "crap." The stupid bracket that holds the bucket slopes downward towards the back of the chair.

What I do now is get on and do my bowel program, then take a shower. While I'm doing the BP, if I move even the slightest, the bucket slides out the back, and my leg spasms don't help at all. I was hoping to take care of the BP and shower all at the same time.

It's also in a bad place. The way it's positioned, I can't wipe myself when I'm done. This chair is the only reason why I still have an attendant coming in the mornings.

I though I had just gotten a defective chair, so I called the distributer that I got it from. They sent a new bracket, but it was too big. The tech guy came today with the right one, but it's exactly the same. He said they are all like that.

I hate this thing, are there any other shower/potty chairs out there?

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

Andy · 07-01-2003, 01:28 PM

It sounds like you need to shitcan the shower chair. From what you write, I think I have an idea. Get the padded raised toilet seat that Lumex makes, real sturdy, and you can use a toilet so you dont have to use a commode. I have one and my regular chair is at 24", the toilet seat is real close in height, and fits on a non-ADA type toilet, so transfers are real easy. Add a grab bar next to the toilet and you are set for about $150. You might have much better access going this route to get the job done also looking at the way that chair is made in the photo. I think you already have a roll in shower, so use the shower chair for showering. Hope this helps with some ideas.

crags · 07-01-2003, 01:37 PM

i've had that same chair for 7+ yrs. one question, why do you use the bucket? i just back in over the toilet and flush periodically, avoiding a foul smelling unpleasant experience

rye1945 · 07-01-2003, 02:42 PM

I have the same chair and it works well for me. I roll over the toilet so I have not had to mess with the bucket. I like the convenience of rolling over the toilet and then rolling right into the shower. Of course you have to have the right toilet and a roll in shower.

Incidently, I have an extra one (don't ask why) that is only a week old. If anyone is interested in buying it, please let me know.

Good luck figuring out a way to make this work.

SCI-Nurse · 07-01-2003, 02:51 PM

I hate this chair too. You can remove the bucket bracket and just roll it over the toilet if your toilet is not too high (depending on the width of your toilet tank).

When I first came to the center where I work, this is what we had. We got rid of them right away and replaced with the E&J shower/commode chair. It has a cushioned seat and cut out cushion and sides for easy access for bowel care, but the seat is plywood underneath and will rot and break within about a year of heavy use.

Worked OK, but not very durable (rusts out in about a year). We are now using the ActiveAid (this model with some additional custom features). We also have a reclining version for use with new injuries who cannot tolerate sitting fully upright yet.

I have also looked at these (Aquatec Megaflex) and they are very nice:

They are coming out with a large wheeled version too.

[This message was edited by SCI-Nurse on 07-01-03 at 06:14 PM.]

Andy · 07-01-2003, 03:44 PM

Hmmm, I see they actually make some sort of commode type devices that are actually usable by SCI people. That ActiveAid chair looks great, nice side access which I need due to rods. You should have seen the 'drop arm commode' they ordered me from rehab...framework on all sides preventing access, and the bucket was right up against the framework, maybe if I wasnt paralysed it would work, but it didnt and resides in my basement. I just wish that POS was returnable as my insurance didnt cover some $90.00 or so for that thing.

Duke · 07-01-2003, 04:48 PM

I dont know about you all but theres no way I can sit on such a hard surface for any period of time..Ouch!

SCI-Nurse · 07-01-2003, 05:09 PM

All the chairs shown so far have padded seats. You can also add a custom Roho commode cushion if needed. Of course weight shifts should be continued when on a shower or commode chair just as in a wheelchair...

(KLD)

jimnms · 07-03-2003, 07:27 AM

Yes I do have a roll in shower. I have thought about removing the bracket and parking over the toilet, but I'm still new to this and I don't know how I'd do it.

I have insert the supository and lay in bed for about 10 minutes, or it comes out as soon as I get on the chair and I don't get a good BM. After laying for 10 minutes, I usually start going as soon as I get on the chair, so I know I wouldn't make it to the toilet before I start going.

I like having the bucket, so I can at least go watch tv while I do my business. But it's pointless to have the bucket if it falls out whenever you move.

The other problem I have, but it's not the chairs fault, is with my leg spasms they won't stay on the foot rest. I saw another type of chair a while back on a medical supply site that had a footrest like is on my regular chair, it looked like it was built out of PVC pipe. I can't find the website again though.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

SCI-Nurse · 07-03-2003, 10:13 AM

Here are some good resources for a variety of brands and models:

Spinlife

Edmond

Allegro Medical

Aquatec

ActiveAid

Assistive Technology

Duralife

NuProdx

VA Equipment resources

A calf strap can easily be added to most commodes to keep knee flexion spasms from putting your feet under the commode and keeping feet on foot plates.

Also, if we need to use a commode not over the toilet, we just use a regular bucket with a handle and put it on the floor instead of using any of the brackets. This gives more room for hand access for dig stim or cleaning.

Be sure to look for seat cushioning, hand access ease, fit with your bathroom, sturdy brakes, and drop or removable armrests.

(KLD)

07-01-2003, 12:41 PM	#1
jimnms Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,673	Shower Chairs I have this shower chair by Invacare: It is a peice of crap. They could have put more thought into the bucket that catches your "crap." The stupid bracket that holds the bucket slopes downward towards the back of the chair. What I do now is get on and do my bowel program, then take a shower. While I'm doing the BP, if I move even the slightest, the bucket slides out the back, and my leg spasms don't help at all. I was hoping to take care of the BP and shower all at the same time. It's also in a bad place. The way it's positioned, I can't wipe myself when I'm done. This chair is the only reason why I still have an attendant coming in the mornings. I though I had just gotten a defective chair, so I called the distributer that I got it from. They sent a new bracket, but it was too big. The tech guy came today with the right one, but it's exactly the same. He said they are all like that. I hate this thing, are there any other shower/potty chairs out there? _____ Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

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07-01-2003, 01:28 PM	#2
Andy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,641	It sounds like you need to shitcan the shower chair. From what you write, I think I have an idea. Get the padded raised toilet seat that Lumex makes, real sturdy, and you can use a toilet so you dont have to use a commode. I have one and my regular chair is at 24", the toilet seat is real close in height, and fits on a non-ADA type toilet, so transfers are real easy. Add a grab bar next to the toilet and you are set for about $150. You might have much better access going this route to get the job done also looking at the way that chair is made in the photo. I think you already have a roll in shower, so use the shower chair for showering. Hope this helps with some ideas.

07-01-2003, 01:37 PM	#3
crags Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,021	i've had that same chair for 7+ yrs. one question, why do you use the bucket? i just back in over the toilet and flush periodically, avoiding a foul smelling unpleasant experience

07-01-2003, 02:42 PM	#4
rye1945 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 137	I have the same chair and it works well for me. I roll over the toilet so I have not had to mess with the bucket. I like the convenience of rolling over the toilet and then rolling right into the shower. Of course you have to have the right toilet and a roll in shower. Incidently, I have an extra one (don't ask why) that is only a week old. If anyone is interested in buying it, please let me know. Good luck figuring out a way to make this work.

07-01-2003, 02:51 PM	#5
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	I hate this chair too. You can remove the bucket bracket and just roll it over the toilet if your toilet is not too high (depending on the width of your toilet tank). When I first came to the center where I work, this is what we had. We got rid of them right away and replaced with the E&J shower/commode chair. It has a cushioned seat and cut out cushion and sides for easy access for bowel care, but the seat is plywood underneath and will rot and break within about a year of heavy use. Worked OK, but not very durable (rusts out in about a year). We are now using the ActiveAid (this model with some additional custom features). We also have a reclining version for use with new injuries who cannot tolerate sitting fully upright yet. I have also looked at these (Aquatec Megaflex) and they are very nice: They are coming out with a large wheeled version too. [This message was edited by SCI-Nurse on 07-01-03 at 06:14 PM.]

07-01-2003, 03:44 PM	#6
Andy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,641	Hmmm, I see they actually make some sort of commode type devices that are actually usable by SCI people. That ActiveAid chair looks great, nice side access which I need due to rods. You should have seen the 'drop arm commode' they ordered me from rehab...framework on all sides preventing access, and the bucket was right up against the framework, maybe if I wasnt paralysed it would work, but it didnt and resides in my basement. I just wish that POS was returnable as my insurance didnt cover some $90.00 or so for that thing.

07-01-2003, 04:48 PM	#7
Duke Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 236	I dont know about you all but theres no way I can sit on such a hard surface for any period of time..Ouch!

07-01-2003, 05:09 PM	#8
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	All the chairs shown so far have padded seats. You can also add a custom Roho commode cushion if needed. Of course weight shifts should be continued when on a shower or commode chair just as in a wheelchair... (KLD)

07-03-2003, 07:27 AM	#9
jimnms Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,673	Yes I do have a roll in shower. I have thought about removing the bracket and parking over the toilet, but I'm still new to this and I don't know how I'd do it. I have insert the supository and lay in bed for about 10 minutes, or it comes out as soon as I get on the chair and I don't get a good BM. After laying for 10 minutes, I usually start going as soon as I get on the chair, so I know I wouldn't make it to the toilet before I start going. I like having the bucket, so I can at least go watch tv while I do my business. But it's pointless to have the bucket if it falls out whenever you move. The other problem I have, but it's not the chairs fault, is with my leg spasms they won't stay on the foot rest. I saw another type of chair a while back on a medical supply site that had a footrest like is on my regular chair, it looked like it was built out of PVC pipe. I can't find the website again though. _____ Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

07-03-2003, 10:13 AM	#10
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,301	Here are some good resources for a variety of brands and models: Spinlife Edmond Allegro Medical Aquatec ActiveAid Assistive Technology Duralife NuProdx VA Equipment resources A calf strap can easily be added to most commodes to keep knee flexion spasms from putting your feet under the commode and keeping feet on foot plates. Also, if we need to use a commode not over the toilet, we just use a regular bucket with a handle and put it on the floor instead of using any of the brackets. This gives more room for hand access for dig stim or cleaning. Be sure to look for seat cushioning, hand access ease, fit with your bathroom, sturdy brakes, and drop or removable armrests. (KLD)