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The difficulty, discomfort, and risk that showering poses for older folks have been effectively nullified by shower chairs, making these seats a necessary purchase. The need for them only increases over time, so an important consideration when choosing one is how long it lasts.
Shower chairs are generally made to last for a long time with daily use, bearing the individual’s weight in wet conditions. However, it is important to note that you are paying for quality and service life, and you can expect the pricier options to outlast the cheaper ones.
The rest of the article will explain more about what contributes to a long-lasting shower chair so you can be better informed when choosing the right one to buy.
The Materials Used To Make Shower Chairs
Some folks require shower chairs for temporary disabilities, such as recovering after an accident or surgery. But aging individuals become increasingly dependent on this seat as time passes.
If you are particular about how long a shower chair can serve you, the most important thing to consider is the material it is made of. This is what determines the product’s durability.
Two main parts make up a shower chair: the seat and the frame. These are made of different materials and have different wear and tear rates.
The seat is usually made of polyethylene or commercial-grade polyurethane foam. In most cases, you can get a replacement when it gets worn out.
When it comes to the frame, there is more variety of materials to choose from:
- Aluminum: This high-strength and lightweight material is ideal for making the frames of shower chairs. It is durable and not susceptible to rust, two qualities that make it an excellent material for a seat that is used daily in wet conditions.
- Heavy-duty anodized aluminum: The mechanical properties of heavy-duty anodized aluminum are an improvement on the standard aluminum shower chairs. Moreover, the anodization gives the chair better resistance against nicks, chips, and corrosion.
- Medical grade aluminum: The aluminum used in medical equipment is typically the alloy 6061. This heat-treatable alloy is the most versatile of its kind. The reactions of other elements present in the alloy allow it to have significant additional strengthening.
Because these different materials have varying properties and qualities, the type that goes into creating a shower chair largely influences how long the overall product will last.
Other Considerations
There are other things that contribute to a shower chair’s service life on top of the materials it is made of. These include the individual using it and the frequency of use. Both play a significant role in how long your shower chair will last.
The Shower Chair User’s Weight
The weight limit of a shower chair differs by brand and model. While a user’s weight may fall within the supported range of the product, how far or close it is to the limit can influence wear and tear. For instance, a shower chair with a 220 lb ( 99.79 kg) weight limit used by an individual weighing 215 lb (97.52 kg) would naturally have more wear and tear than the same shower chair model used by someone weighing 200 lb (90.71 kg).
The Shower Chair’s Frequency of Use
Shower chairs are designed for daily use, and most individuals follow this frequency. However, this frequency may need to be limited for users with certain health conditions. As might be expected, a shower chair used daily would sooner cease to serve its purpose than one used only three or four times a week.
Trusted Brands of Shower Chairs
According to the United States Census Bureau, 15 percent of the nation’s population comprises older Americans. This figure will increase to 21 percent by 2030. Among many other things, this data implies that the market for shower chairs is here to stay.
Several manufacturers in the medical supplies industry have dived into the business of shower chairs, ensuring that there are myriad options for older folks and their caretakers to choose from.
With the aging population spread out across different social classes, some manufacturers place their focus on producing low-cost shower chairs. This makes the products accessible to those on a tight budget. However, the quality is also affected.
To begin with, the purpose of shower chairs is to prevent falls and injuries and ensure the protection of an older individual in the shower. However, the quality of some of these products prevents them from adequately serving this purpose, or the service gets short-lived.
Some manufacturers go so far as to suggest that their competitors are intentionally sparing on quality to limit the service life of their products and keep customers coming back for replacements.
With this in mind, choosing a reliable brand is crucial. The following manufacturers have a good track record when it comes to their products’ function and service life.
These companies consistently make it to “the best” lists curated by health professionals:
- Glacier Bay
- Drive Medical
- Medline
- Vaunn Medical
- Dr. Kay
- Platinum Health
- Vive Health
- Dr. Maya
- Eagle Health
- OasisSpace
- Essential Medical Supply
- Carex
- Moen
You can still install a shower chair if you have a narrow tub. Check out my guide for a list of the best narrow shower chairs. 5 Best Shower Chairs for Narrow Tubs (Buyer’s Guide)
The Price of Quality
The prices of shower chairs cover an extensive range, with some costing below $50 and others going over $100.
Opting for a low-cost, lower-quality shower chair means you will have to purchase another one much sooner than you would have, had you invested in a more expensive, higher-quality product. You will ultimately be spending more on multiple shower chairs.
Quality often comes with a hefty one-time price tag, and it’s no different with shower chairs. But with such a purchase, you have the assurance that you are getting your money’s worth.
Take, for instance, Platinum Health. This manufacturer is confident of the quality of their product, so much so that they put a lifetime warranty on the Platinum Health ComfortAble Deluxe Shower Chair (available on Amazon.com). Whether it’s this particular product or a different one from another trusted brand, it’s worth breaking the bank to ensure the safety of a senior individual.
Final Thoughts
Shower chairs have become a fundamental need for aging folks. As a result, several medical equipment manufacturers have entered the market for this product. Unfortunately, while some take pride in the quality of their shower chairs, others are more intent on generating income from frequent purchases.
How long a shower chair lasts is down to the workmanship that goes into it. Choosing a pricier brand that delivers high-quality and long-term durability will save you money in the long run and guarantee your or your loved one’s safety.
Tenuto Properties LLC dba Growing Gray USA is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic.
