Bath safely and independently with a bath transfer bench.

If you have a difficult time getting in and out of the bath tub, using a bath transfer bench can make your hygiene safer and easier. For independent users with slightly limited mobility, a bath transfer bench lets you keep your privacy and independence without fear of falling.

How to Transfer from a Wheelchair

• Make sure the wheel locks are engaged before transferring to the bath bench.
• Transfer your torso from the wheelchair to the bench.
• Lift your legs over the side of the tub as you slowly turn your body towards the tub.
• Slide over on the transfer bench until you are sitting in the middle of the tub.
• To get out of the tub, reverse the steps you followed while getting into the tub. First lift your legs over the side of the tub, and then shift your torso from the bath bench to the wheelchair.
• Do not hold on to the shower door, curtain, towel bar, or other unstable object. Instead, install a grab rail on either side of the tub to assist in getting in and out of the tub.

How to Transfer from a Standing Position

• If you are using a wheelchair or rolling walker, place the wheelchair/walker next to the transfer bench. Lock the wheels.
• Stand up (if sitting in the wheelchair) and sit down on the part of the transfer bench that extends outside the tub.
• Lift your legs one at a time over the side of the tub as you slowly turn your body on the bench, without twisting.
• Slide over to the middle of the bench until you are centered in the bath tub.
• After your bath, reverse the steps you followed to get into the tub. Slide over to the outside edge of the transfer bench, lift your legs one at a time over the side of the tub.
• Stand up slowly when you are ready. You can push down on the transfer bench you’re your hands to give yourself a boost. Don’t stand up until you feel balanced. If you feel lightheaded, sit on the transfer bench until the feeling passes.

Using a bath stool can reduce the risk of falls.

Poor balance, loss of vision, weakness, injury, and other factors common in aging seniors raise the risk of falls in the bathroom. With the right prevention methods, however, you can reduce the risk of falls and help your aging loved one maintain their independence.

Here are a few tips on bathroom safety, as suggested by Sunrise Senior Living.

• Only use bathroom rugs with non-slip grip on the back. This keeps the rug from sliding on the floor, wrinkling (which creates a tripping hazard), or folding over on itself.
• Place a stool in front of the bathroom sink. This allows you to sit down while you brush your teeth, comb your hair, and do other tasks.
• Use non-skid tape in the bathtub or use a bath bench. A plastic bath bench fits inside the tub or installs on the edge. A transfer bench lets you sit down while you lift your legs into the tub and scoot over into the middle of the bench. Smaller bath stools are available for use in a shower stall.
• If your vision has declined, consider using contrasting colors for the walls, floor, toilet seat cover, towels, and grab bars. The colors should be complementary but distinct enough from one another to clearly mark the difference between the wall and the tile floor, or the toilet seat and the floor, etc.
• Use brightly colored tape to outline the edge of the tub or shower and the grab bars. This will make it easier to quickly find the grab bars in case you lose your balance, and it will prevent catching your foot or stubbing your toe on the edge of the shower or tub.