The Impact of Good Equipment - Beyond the Bathroom

By Barry Redican, Showerbuddy

The Daily Struggle That Goes Unseen

For those living with mobility challenges, the bathroom can be a battleground. Every transfer, every movement, is a potential risk - not only for the person receiving support, but also for the caregiver.

Yet when the right equipment is in place, something remarkable happens: life gets easier.

We’re not just talking about avoiding injuries (though that’s critical). We’re talking about reclaiming time, energy, and confidence. We’re talking about giving families a shot at sustainability in their care routine.

What “Good Equipment” Actually Means

When we refer to good equipment, we’re not referring to just any chair that claims to be waterproof. We mean purpose-built, clinician-informed, user-tested systems that solve real-world problems.

Great mobility equipment will:

• Reduce the number of physical transfers needed in a daily routine
• Provide comfort and dignity to the user
• Keep carers safe from strain and injury
• Fit into real homes without renovation
• Withstand years of daily use without constant repairs

The Ripple Effects of a Better Setup

It’s easy to think of a transfer chair as a single-purpose item. But for our users, it’s a gateway to stability across the home.

When transfers are smoother, carers have more energy for other parts of the day. When injuries are avoided, hospital visits are minimised. When equipment adapts as needs change, users can stay at home longer without major costs or upheaval.

Real stories from real people:

• A parent who can now help their child into the shower alone, without risking their back
• An elderly couple who can manage together again without outside help
• A carer who no longer fears shower day because the chair does the heavy lifting

Why This Matters Now

We’re in a period where carer burnout, OT workloads, and aged care pressure are only increasing. A single good decision about equipment can delay aged care admission by years. It can keep people out of emergency rooms. It can keep families together.

But this only happens when equipment is treated as essential - not a luxury or nice-to-have.

What We’re Doing at Showerbuddy

Every system we design has one goal: to make a noticeable impact on the day-to-day life of someone who needs it.

We test our equipment in real homes. We speak with clinicians. We listen to users and carers. Then we iterate. That’s how we’ve built chairs that genuinely improve lives, not just tick boxes.

And we’ll keep doing it.

Your Role in the Impact

If you’re a carer, clinician, or family member exploring bathroom mobility solutions, we want you to know this:

The right equipment changes more than just the bathroom. It changes the rhythm of life.

Reach out to our team to explore what’s possible, and how the right chair can make a real difference.