The “Drive” model pictured above has a weight capacity of 400 lbs. and the seat height adjusts in ½” increments. Additional dimensions include:

• Seat dimensions: 18.5-19.5” (Depth) x 26” (Width) x 17.5-22.5” (Height); Outside legs: 23” (Depth) x 32” (Width)

• Overall product height: 17.75”

• Overall product length: 19.75”

• Overall product width: 29”

BODY FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL USE OF THE TUB TRANSFER BENCH:

·       Intact sitting balance sufficient to sit upright and unsupported against gravity

·       Independent use requires:

o   Ability to lift lower extremities over edge of tub

o   Ability to weight shift and use at least one intact upper extremity to assist with sliding body across bench into tub area for optimal sitting position

·       NOTE: Some individuals may require caregiver assistance for lifting the lower extremities over the edge of the tub

DEFICITS THE TUB TRANSFER BENCH COMPENSATES FOR:

• Difficulty completing tub shower transfers due to:

1.     Decreased balance/Limited balance

2.     Difficulty or inability to lift legs high enough to step over a tub

3.     Weight bearing restrictions on one or more lower extremity (LE)/leg

4.     Difficulty bearing weight on one or more lower extremities (LE’s)/legs due to surgery (Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, Fracture, Sprain or other diagnosis)

5.     Lower extremity (LE)/leg weakness

6.     Lower extremity (LE)/leg pain (hip or knee pain)

7.     Decreased range of motion in hips and/or knees

8.     Back pain

9.     Abnormal muscle tone in one or more lower extremities (LE’s) and/or trunk (Increased tone/high muscle tone/spasticity or Low tone)

10.  Paresis

11.  Paralysis

12.  Lower extremity (LE) Amputation/Below Knee Amputation (BKA)/Above Knee Amputation (AKA)

13.  Fear of falling

• Decreased safety when standing in the shower due to:

1.     Decreased/limited balance

2.     Dizziness

3.     Vertigo

4.     Frequent falls

5.     Blindness/Low Vision

6.     Orthostatic hypotension

7.     Knees buckling making standing unsafe

• Decreased standing tolerance due to:

1.     Limited endurance/poor endurance

2.     Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath

3.     Back pain and stiffness making standing difficult

4.     Paresis making it difficult to stand

5.     Lower extremity pain making it difficulty to stand

DIAGNOSES THE TUB TRANSFER BENCH IS COMMONLY USED FOR:

·        Recent heart attack/Myocardial Infarction (MI)

·        Recent surgery

·       Open heart surgery

·       Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

·        Recent joint replacement such as:

o   Total Hip Replacement (THR)/Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)

o   Partial Hip Replacement (Hemiarthroplasty)

o   Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

o   Partial Knee Replacement

o   Total Shoulder Replacement (TSR)

o   Partial Shoulder Replacement

o   Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

·        Dizziness

·        Vertigo

·        Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

·        Lower Extremity Amputation/Below Knee Amputation (BKA), Above Knee Amputation

       (AKA)

·        Lower Extremity (LE) Fractures such as:

o   Hip Fracture

o   Femur Fracture

o   Tibia Fracture

o   Fibula Fracture

o   Tibia & Fibula Fracture

o   Ankle Fracture

o   Foot Fracture

·        Blindness

·        Low Vision/Glaucoma/Macular Degeneration/Diabetic Retinopathy

·        Neuropathy

·        Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

·        Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

·        Asthma

·        Stroke/Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

·        Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

·        Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) - Complete or Incomplete

·        Seizure Disorder

·        Lower Extremity (LE) Edema

·        Lymphedema

·        Burn injuries

·        Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

·        Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

·        Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)/Blood Clot(s)

·        Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gouty Arthritis)

·        Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

·        Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

·        Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

·        Huntington’s Disease

·        Movement Disorders

·        Tremors

·        Essential Tremors

·        Cerebral Palsy (CP)

·        Guillain-Barre’

·        Cancer

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING A TUB TRANSFER BENCH:

1.     The tub transfer bench cannot be used when shower doors are present. The doors get in the way of the user being able to swing her or his legs over the edge of the tub/shower stall. If possible and patient/client is willing, doors can be removed.

2.     Patients/clients/family members/caregivers can be reluctant to using a tub transfer bench due to shower water getting all over the floor because a shower curtain does not fit inside the tub with the bench in place. There are two (2) solutions:

A.     Cut slits into a shower curtain, matching up with the tub transfer bench cut out, allowing the shower curtain to be placed inside the shower.

B.     Purchase a “Bench Buddy” shower curtain:

 3.     Tub transfer benches require extra space around the edge of the tub or shower. Many homes have small or crowded spaces. Check to ensure there is enough space to safely place and use the tub transfer bench.

A.     This is important for patient/client safety as well as caregiver safety if assistance is required for transferring onto the bench and/or bathing.

B.     Bathroom space and set up is another important consideration for tub transfer bench users. Certain precautions and restrictions may limit the way the bench is used. A home visit by a skilled occupational therapist prior to purchasing a tub transfer bench can help determine appropriateness of equipment based on patient/client specific information (diagnosis, environment and other relevant factors). There may be a cost for a home evaluation. However, this can be a significant cost saving factor in the long run by eliminating unnecessary purchases.

SUGGESTED USES/STRATEGIES FOR THE TUB TRANSFER BENCH:

1.     Tub transfer benches can help people with balance problems feel safer when getting into and out of the shower because it eliminates the need to step over the edge of the tub. Additionally, a tub transfer bench versus a shower chair or stool provides a wider surface area for sitting.

2.     Tub transfer benches can decrease caregiver burden and increase caregiver/patient/client/ family member safety when assistance is required getting into the shower. It is easier and safer for the patient/client to sit on the bench and slide across into the tub than it is to step over the edge.

3.     If an individual desires to age in place, making an initial purchase of a tub transfer bench rather than a shower chair or stool may be a cost saving measure.