Thanks for all the responses, folks! They're definitely solidifying that I want the bench. I have a folding seat already and while it's useful, it can also be unstable and you have to plan to use it/get it set up before you're even in the shower.
The position of the bench vs. the shower controls is a really good point, though. I don't know that there's a great solution, but it's something I want to think about.
As for the grab bars, they're already in the plan. I'm even doing a corner shelf unit that is also a grab bar. I'm in my late 50s and it's also possible that my 92-year-old mother may have to move in with me, so I'm going all-in with the safety.
Post by fivechickens on Jul 2, 2024 13:32:29 GMT -5
My daughter cannot stand without assistance (cerebral palsy) so she uses a seat in the shower. If we ever redo their bathroom I would want a built in shower seat.
Actually I like the idea of this for her (not that this post is about her):
I have a built in bench, but my shower is super long because it used to be a tub. It’s actually too long, IMO but I do have both a regular shower head (doesn’t hit the bench) and a handheld one on the side with the bench. I can use either one or both together. The bench is made of some kind of solid stone/surface and it its gotten wet, I just squeegee the water off before I do the glass door
If you have space for the built in bench, I'd do that. But if it will make the shower tight now, why not just buy a bench to add to the shower later when you actually need it? Then you can enjoy the big shower for as long as you can.
This is what we have for my MIL. Some days she doesn't need it but others it's helpful. We also have an attractive grab bar that is also a soap dish.
I just googled 'removable shower bench' and saw a great item. The back of the shower has a horizontal grab bar. There is a teak bench that you can hang off of it but take off when not in use. I love this idea!
Lady. That stool says "retrofit after a hip injury" not "thoughtful design choice."
We have a bench in our shower it's great. I use it now to shave my legs. Ha.
Ohh right. How do people with only a stand-up shower and no bench shave? This might revise my prior answer to built-in bench.
I don't. Our mtn house has a stand up shower that is tiny. like I can't even stick out both elbows at the same time. I would get out of the shower and shave my legs in the sink. messy - but I could barely fit to bend over to reach to shave my legs. I have NO idea why it's that small - there is more room in that bathroom.
I would do the bench but I’d do it for the purpose of shaving my legs now. Aside from adding infrastructure for future grab bars, I’d worry about additional aging in place items later, as needed.
Post by picksthemusic on Jul 2, 2024 17:21:56 GMT -5
This is what we had done. I don’t sit on it, but could if I had to. The stone would be cold AF but I could, haha. I mainly use it as a foot rest for shaving and surface to hold products.
We just redid our bathroom and we chose a freestanding teak bench. But, if given those two options I’d choose thr built in seat. The fold down option seems like it could eventually break.
My only contribution: if you build something in make sure it’s shaped to naturally drain (ie. Not a sharp right angle and completely level surface or level with grout lines crossing to accumulate water. It’ll be easier to keep clean and mildew free - especially in those years when such tasks are harder.
Today I learned that other people lean over to shave (or use a wall) rather than bringing their knee and calf up. (And lock my other hand/wrist around my knee to steady myself).
Today I learned that other people lean over to shave (or use a wall) rather than bringing their knee and calf up. (And lock my other hand/wrist around my knee to steady myself).
OK, I'm officially impressed!!! Now you're probably going to tell me that you can hook your bra behind your back! LOL
Today I learned that other people lean over to shave (or use a wall) rather than bringing their knee and calf up. (And lock my other hand/wrist around my knee to steady myself).
OK, I'm officially impressed!!! Now you're probably going to tell me that you can hook your bra behind your back! LOL
I do! I think of myself as clumsy and less flexible with not great balance balance so these two tasks are feeling like wins.
Today I learned that other people lean over to shave (or use a wall) rather than bringing their knee and calf up. (And lock my other hand/wrist around my knee to steady myself).
Impressive! I would end up flat on my ass if I did that. Occasionally if I am feeling daring, I lift my leg up and steady myself by ‘holding’ on to the wall. My aunt redid her bathroom and put foot bars near the bottom of the shower to shave.
As someone who has done the kind of hands-on caregiving that sometimes goes with the euphemistically called aging-in-place, I would opt for something removable to be decided as needed.
Ideally, I would opt for a wet-room installation with a handheld shower. If that isn't doable, a zero-entry shower large enough for 2 people with a handheld shower would be my choice.
When I had my knee-replaced, and stayed at mom's single level house, the built-in shower seat was so fucking slippery I nearly fell off it. At home, I used a removable shower seat which was much better albeit not sexy looking. It was pretty easy to keep clean during the 6 weeks I needed it. When mom was caring for dad who had dementia with incontinence, being able to get in with him and move 360 around him was critical. She used an armrest style bedside commode with the bowl removed (suggestion of his aides) to be able to get the his, um, undercarriage.
Today I learned that other people lean over to shave (or use a wall) rather than bringing their knee and calf up. (And lock my other hand/wrist around my knee to steady myself).
OK, I'm officially impressed!!! Now you're probably going to tell me that you can hook your bra behind your back! LOL
I can touch the back of my head behind my back lol.
I also just lift my leg up to shave, but much prefer to have a ledge to put my foot on.
I'm an OT specializing in geriatric home health. Generally, built in benches are not great ideas. Often they are too far away to be able to reach the faucet or the showerhead (if it's hand held), often times they are too slippery or cold. A fold down also offers more room to get in, especially if someone is using a walker or a wheelchair and especially if there are sliding doors and not a curtain. I would not recommend a built in bench
I just googled 'removable shower bench' and saw a great item. The back of the shower has a horizontal grab bar. There is a teak bench that you can hang off of it but take off when not in use. I love this idea!
Regular shower chairs are a lot cheaper and much more adjustable than anything built in, bench or pull down.
A built in bench will also give you the ability to sit on the "dry" side with your feet in the room and twist to get into the shower.
There's also a transfer bench that's wider and designed to bridge over the edge of a bathtub if needed that allows a person scoot in and out of the shower.