Today we’re going to discuss the best hand held shower heads for the elderly.
At face value shower heads seem very simple and we normally don’t give them much thought. We just know they’re there and water comes out of them. But some have a lot of features and can help improve a daily routine that many of us might take for granted. For seniors, the daily routine of a shower or bath can be quite a challenge.
Statistically, 80% of senior falls occur in the bathroom. Although falling and a shower head might seem unrelated the right shower head can make quite the difference. Actually, it can have a positive impact to senior safety in the bathroom. The more difficult a shower head is to use the more fatigued an elderly person can become during the shower. Especially, if the senior has arthritis.
Our goal is to keep seniors safe and comfortable with a pleasant shower experience.
Top Picks If You’re In A Hurry…
- Top Picks If You’re In A Hurry…
- What to Consider When Buying a Shower Head for an Elderly Person
- Reviews And Buying Guide On The Best Hand Held Shower Heads For The Elderly
- Things To Consider When Choosing A Handheld Shower Head
- Final Thoughts On The Best Hand Held Shower Heads For The Elderly
What to Consider When Buying a Shower Head for an Elderly Person
When buying a shower head for the elderly, there are several factors that you’ll want to consider. Especially, when there might be limited mobility. We want to make the showering experience as safe and as easy as possible.
- Water Flow Rate: A shower head with a slightly lower flow rate can not only help to conserve water and reduce the amount of water pressure needed, but it can also make it more comfortable for elderly individuals who might be more sensitive to a higher pressure shower head.
- Size and Shape: A larger shower head can provide a wider coverage area, which can be helpful for individuals who have difficulty turning or moving in the shower. Additionally, a shower head that can be adjusted to different angles can be beneficial for those who have mobility issues.
- Anti-Scald Feature: This feature can help to prevent the water from becoming too hot, which can be particularly important for elderly individuals with sensitive skin or who are at risk of scalding.
- Handheld Shower Head: A handheld shower head can be more flexible and allow for easier reach, which can be beneficial for those with limited mobility. You should also consider buying a model with a longer water hose, or buy a longer hose, so washing and rinsing hard to reach areas in the shower is easier.
- Easy-to-Use Controls: Simple and easy-to-use controls are a must for the elderly, as they are less likely to have the dexterity or strength to operate complex controls.
- Anti-Clog Nozzles: the shower head with anti-clog nozzles can help to prevent buildup of minerals and other debris in the shower head which can have a negative impact on the water flow.
- Aesthetics: The shower head should also be visually appealing as it is an important aspect that can affect the overall bathroom experience.
It’s also important to consider the individual needs and preferences of the elderly person the shower head is being purchased for. Consult with them or their caregiver to make sure that the shower head meets their specific needs.
Reviews And Buying Guide On The Best Hand Held Shower Heads For The Elderly
Moen DN8001CH Home Care Pause Control Hand Held Shower Head
Item Weight: 1.68 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 4.8 inches
- It’s easy to install.
- On/Off switch to easily stop the flow of water.
- Soft grip makes the handle easy and comfortable to hold.
- Extra long 7 foot hose.
- Plastic construction (including the fittings) can lead to breakage and leaks.
- The hose is too stiff.
- There are complaints that the pause button doesn’t always fully shut off the water flow.
More Thoughts On The Moen DN8001CH
The Moen DN8001CH is easy to install and has a soft grip handle that is very comfortable handle. Attached to the handle there is also a safety strap for extra security to help prevent the shower head from dropping if it’s accidentally let go. And this is a good thing. By Moen adding the safety strap it is helping to prevent the user from a potential fall if they accidentally let go of the handle.
The shower head is easy to install and the on/off switch completely shuts off the flow of water. Want to have different spray settings? The spray can be changed from a calming spray to an invigorating rinse by a button that gently slides. This mechanism is easy to use for seniors.
The biggest drawback is the hose. It’s a plastic hose and is much more prone to leaking than a stainless steel hose. Because the hose is made of plastic it is also easier for the hose to kink like a garden hose and cut off the water supply. Lastly, with a plastic hose it isn’t as flexible so mobility is restricted a bit. It’s not terrible, but it isn’t as good as models that use a stainless steel hose.
Deliao Elderly Handheld Shower Head
Item Weight: 1.50 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
- On/Off switch for water flow. However, the product is designed where the water still drips when switched off to relieve water pressure from the hose.
- 79-Inch stainless steel hose which doesn’t kink or tangle.
- It’s designed for the elderly, handicapped, and disabled in mind.
- Lightweight and easy to use.
- Easy to install, but also see our comment below about the strong adhesive.
- Holder assembly to the wall uses a strong adhesive. You need to be absolutely sure where you want the shower head placement to be because you only get one shot at it.
- Also related to the adhesive – you need to make sure you apply enough pressure to affix to the wall or the holder assembly could fall from the wall.
More Thoughts On The Deliao Shower Head
We think this model from Deliao is right on top for the best hand held shower heads for the elderly. Actually, we’re not alone because lots of buyers also agree. This shower head was designed specifically for the elderly and those who are handicapped or disabled. Overall, they did a really good job with the product.
There’s a few reasons why we like this shower head. It has a safety strap which can prevent falls if the handle is accidentally let go of. It’s a great feature which will help prevent falls. One of the neat things about this model is the flow control function. Instead of sliding a lever back and forth it is activated with a simple touch of a button. It’s very user friendly.
The flow control function has even been thought through more than other makers. Instead of completely shutting off there’s still a slight flow of water when the water is set to the off position. What’s the reason for this? It allows water to continuously flow through the hose to ease pressure on the hose. By doing this it will give the hose a longer life by eliminating stress on the hose. Also, it prevents a sudden burst of pressure being released from the hose to kick back and hit the user. It’s another feature that helps prevent injury.
YOO.MEE ADA Handheld Shower Head For The Elderly
Item Weight: 1.50 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 7.9 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
- Handle shape and soft comfortable handle makes it easier to grip and showering easier.
- Spray head and lever for water settings is made from silicon making it easier to switch spray settings and more durable.
- Very easy to install.
- There’s no holder or mechanism to store the shower head. You need to let it hang down, drape it over the plumbing, find another place within reach to store it, or purchase a holder.
- The switch to stop the flow of water is smaller and might be a little more difficult to use than other models.
- No strap around the handle to help prevent accidental drops.
More Thoughts On The YOO.MEE ADA Handheld Shower Head For The Elderly
The YOO.MEE ADA handheld shower head doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as some others. But that’s not a bad thing and it’s still rich with important features. Some features even exceed other models we discussed.
We like that the manufacturer used silicon not only on the handle, but also on the spray head and spray head lever. Silicon on the handle allows for easy and comfortable use. Meanwhile, silicon on the spray head helps protect the shower head from damage while also prevent water blockage from calcification. there’s also silicon on the lever to change spray settings which also helps with comfort.
Out of all the models we discussed this may be the best shower head for the money. It’s design is simple and easy to use which helps keep the cost down. And there’s a lot of satisfied customers with this model. The one feature we would have liked to see was a strap around the handle to help prevent the shower head from being accidentally dropped.
Moen 26100EP Engage Magnetix Shower Head
Item Weight: 1.65 Pounds
Item Dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 8 inches
- Magnetic docking system for easy storage.
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
- 1.75 gpm flow rate for better water consumption.
- Easy installation.
- No pause or on/off switch to stop water flow.
- The water flow restriction could be set too low at the manufactured setting. It can be changed by removing a restrictor from the handle. And there are 3 restrictors that could be removed.
More Thoughts On The Moen 26100EP Engage Magnetix Shower Head
Overall, the Moen 26100EP is a very nice shower head. Being ADA compliant it has many benefits for those who are elderly or handicapped. The biggest advantage this model has over other models is the magnetic system that docks and holds the shower head. It is reliable and makes the handling of the shower head easy.
Installation is very easy and doesn’t require tools to assemble. And the flow rate of water is also the best out of all the models we discussed with a 1.75 gallon per minute flow of water. Some say that the flow rate is not good enough coming out of the box, but you can fix that by removing up to 3 restrictors. However, it you don’t want to make those kind of adjustments than this might not be the model for you.
The major drawback of this model versus other models being reviewed is the lack of an on/off switch that will stop the flow of water. For someone who is elderly or handicapped it might be a deal breaker that this shower head doesn’t have that feature.
Hotel Spa Notilus Antimicrobial High-Pressure Shower Head
Product Weight: 1.7 Pounds
Product Dimensions: 4 x 10 x 6 inches
- Antimicrobial jets will prevent mold and bacteria growth keeping you healthier and your water pressure consistent.
- There’s also an antimicrobial grip which also is healthier, and safer and easier to handle.
- Pause mode which can turn the water on/off with the flip of a switch.
- Heavier than other models reviewed.
- The hand held shower head could be difficult to get in the holder since it’s behind the main shower head.
More Thoughts On The Hotel Spa Notilus Antimicrobial High-Pressure Shower Head
We like this model because of the antimocrobial features. Preventing mold, bacteria and other mildew are important health considerations. Especially, as we age and get older. This feature was even tied in to the use of the handle which also creates an easy to use handle that is comfortable to grab and won’t slip out of your hand.
Like other models, the Hotel Spa Notilus also has an on/off switch to stop the flow of water. Much like the Deliao shower head you’ll still get a slow trickle of water to relieve pressure from the hose.
The main thing we don’t like as much about the Hotel Spa Notilus has to do with the two shower heads. It’s not that it’s not a nice feature, but more like a trade off for someone older. We think things should be easy. But if you want to store the hand held shower head you need to place it behind the main shower head. If you have a disability it could be a little more difficult to place the shower head in the holder.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Handheld Shower Head
It Should Be Easy To Use And Comfortable
I think the older we get the more we just want things to be easy. Especially, when it comes to taking a shower because taking a bath or shower should be easy! Who wants to complicate things with a hard to use shower head? Believe it or not some shower heads can get complicated with a lot of different spray settings or dual shower heads with different mounting clips. If your a senior with arthritis or handicapped we think it’s best to just keep to a simple shower head.
And you definitely want the shower head to be comfortable to hold. Especially, if you have arthritis or difficulty with your hands. Design is essential in the shape of the handle and weight distribution between the top of the shower head where the water comes out and the bottom of the handle where it connects to the hose. And that leads us to our next thing to consider when choosing the best hand held shower heads for the elderly. And that’s the weight.
Weight Of The Shower Head
If your older and have trouble with mobility, have a handicap, or have arthritis weight should be a consideration in your purchase. So you want to go with a lighter shower head.
A lot of complaints about most hand held shower heads for seniors is that they’re usually made of mostly plastic. But this is a catch 22 situation. Although a nicely finished steel piece would be nice the weight would increase a lot by using stainless steel. And then you wouldn’t have a shower head that’s ideal for seniors. Hence, manufactures need to construct the product with mostly ABS plastic.
The Length And Rigidity Of The Hose
The hose is critical when determining the best hand held shower head for the elderly. This is especially the case if you need to be seated in the shower. For seniors who struggle with mobility or handicap persons you also don’t want to be getting up and down much. The hose needs to be long enough to use the shower head while you remain seated and completely rinse you off.
It’s also important to pay attention to the the material of the hose and whether the hose is prone to kinks or tangles. Kinks can impact the water flow like a kink in your garden hose. The best material for a kink free hose is stainless steel. If you like your current shower head you can purchase a longer hose to make showering easier:
Does The Shower Head Have An On/Off Switch
We strongly recommend an on/off switch. And this was one of the features on our pick for the best hand held shower heads for the elderly. Most slips and falls occurs in the bathroom and many falls are due to water on the floor. As you need to move the shower head around to rinse off this is helpful to keep water in the bathtub or shower where it belongs.
Does It Have A Magnetic Dock
Although a magnetic dock is not a critical feature for the best shower head it is nice to have. With magnetic docks all you need to do is start bringing the shower head towards the dock and the magnetism will do the rest of the work for you. The magnetic forces will draw and hold the shower head in place. This is helpful compared to other systems where you need to coordinate the hose through a docking station and then slip the handle down and into the dock.
Massage Functions And Other Spray Types
All the different spray functions are also nice to have but aren’t really necessary. In fact, some might find these additional functions more of an nuisance than a benefit. We might all love a good facial massage, but imagine if you were on a massage setting (which can be pretty powerful) and you accidentally sprayed yourself in the face. Although there are other nice spray settings you can use most of us generally stick with a nice and gentle spray setting.
Final Thoughts On The Best Hand Held Shower Heads For The Elderly
I remember my grandmother always told me not to get old when I was a kid. She had arthritis in her hands, was diabetic, and generally moved around really slow. One of the biggest challenges for her, like other seniors, was when it came time for a shower. We may not be able to stop ourselves from getting older and aging, but we can help to make shower and bath time a little easier. Boy, if only she had some of the resources and conveniences that we have now!
The best hand held shower heads for the elderly have many features that are specifically designed for seniors. They’re made to be easy to use, comfortable, and most importantly functional for seniors. This list has five very good options for shower heads whether your aging, handicapped, or have arthritis. Hopefully, this list helps you make an informed decision and the shower experience better for yourself or a loved one.
