A tub transfer bench is a bath seat that goes in the bathtub to help you or the person you care for enter and exit the shower with ease. A portion of the tub transfer bench has legs that sit outside of the tub and the other half sits inside of the tub. 

To use it, you sit on the edge of the bench, scoot your hips along the bench, and swing your legs into the tub. This allows you to avoid having to step over the bathtub’s threshold and improves overall bath safety. 

Before purchasing a tub transfer bench, there are many things to consider to ensure you purchase the correct one that will fit your bathroom and your personal needs. 

Looking for more information about bathroom safety and fall prevention? Check if you have free access to Trualta. 

Sizing Considerations

There are important size factors to consider before purchasing a bathtub transfer bench: 

• Seat dimensions. Make sure your seat is big enough. Measure from the back of the knee to the hips and add one or two inches. This will help ensure the seat is deep enough to sit on. 
• Height of the bath bench. Measure from the top of the bath tub to the floor. Use this measurement to ensure you are buying a tub bench with a seat height greater than this number, so it will fit over the threshold of your tub. 
• Width of the bath bench. Measure the distance from hip to hip and add six inches to ensure that there will be enough width for you to sit on the bench.
• Overall size. Be sure you have enough total space in your bathroom and outside of your tub to fit the tub transfer bench. You might also assess if there’s enough space for a person to stand to help with the transfer. If you or the person you care for uses a wheelchair, ensure there is room for that, too. 

Safety Considerations 

Safety is a key priority when it comes to purchasing a tub transfer bench. Here are some considerations to ensure you choose a bench that will keep you or the person you care for safe: 

• Weight capacity. Look at the bench’s weight limit before you purchase it. Standard tub benches often can hold 200-300 pounds, and heavy-duty benches can hold up to 500 pounds. Check the box before purchasing.
• Suction cup tips. A bath transfer bench can have locking suction cup tips on the ends of the legs to prevent slippage in the tub.  
• Materials. Tub benches can be made of materials like aluminum, plastic, or steel. A combination of aluminum for the legs and plastic for the seat is ideal because these products are both sturdy and rust-resistant. Steel is used for parts of the heavy-duty tub transfer bench but will make the bench heavier to move.
• Drain holes. Choosing a tub transfer bench that has small drain holes in the seat is ideal to prevent mold from growing in a wet environment.
• Warranty. Check the warranty to be reassured that the product was made without defects and that you can get a replacement in the event a part of the tub transfer bench is defective. 

Ask a physical or occupational therapist to assess the tub transfer bench you’re considering to ensure it is safe to use and will be the best fit for you or the person you care for. 

Additional Features To Consider

Some other components of the tub transfer chair to think about are related to comfort and ease. These include: 

• Padded seating. Tub transfer benches can come with padded seating, which can provide pressure relief and make the user more comfortable during the shower. Be mindful that having padding on the seat may take longer to dry between uses.
• Backrests. Adjustable backrests provide increased stability and may be a good option for those who have weakness and quickly fatigue.
• Arm rests. Having armrests can give the user more support and stability when transferring on and off of the bench. 
• Universal sliding transfer bench. Some transfer benches have a feature that allows the entire seat to slide to make the transfer easier for those with limited mobility. The benefit of this option is that it is less work for the user. However, it depends on their mobility and balance to be sure they’re using it safely. Additionally, this option may require more space and may be more expensive. 

Purchasing A Tub Transfer Bench

Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t often cover the cost of a tub transfer bench. Follow up with your insurance plan to inquire if this is an option for you. Places you can purchase a tub transfer bench include: 

• Durable medical equipment (DME) and medical supply stores
• Local drug stores (like CVS or Walgreens)
• Loan closets 
• Home improvement stores (e.g. Lowes or Home Depot)
• Online retailers like Amazon

References  

1. Call Before You Fall. (n.d.). Choosing the perfect bath transfer chair. CallBeforeYouFall.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://callbeforeyoufall.com/choosing-the-perfect-bath-transfer-chair/

2. CCH Wyoming. (2022, March). Choosing the right shower chair. CCHWyo.org. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.cchwyo.org/news/2022/march/choosing-the-right-shower-chair/

3. Drive Medical. (n.d.). 232776 transfer bench. DriveMedical.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://shop.drivemedical.com/medias/232776?context=bWFzdGVyfGltYWdlc3wzOTg1MTV8YXBwbGljYXRpb24vcGRmfGgyYS9oMDYvODkxMTg5NTM5NjM4Mi8yMzI3NzZ8YzRkM2UwZTYzM2UzZWVlMmFhMDQxMWFkOTYxYWM4OWEyMjg2NzBjYWFjYTg5ZjM4ZGU1ZDBmN2RhNzJmZWI2Yw

4. RehabMart. (2024, November 23). Best tub bench buying guide. RehabMart.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.rehabmart.com/post/best-tub-bench-buying-guide?srsltid=AfmBOopbVZGliCgRDTowqzPjNHi0yot4tZu-IQZApxjxknxggWBalsjT