Questions about our Handicap Shower Chairs
FREQUENTLY (and some not-so-frequently) ASKED QUESTIONS
- Are the Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chairs just for traveling?
- How high is the portable shower chair seat from the floor?
- How wide is the Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair?
- Can I get the Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair with a wider seat?
- How high is the commode wheelchair seat back?
- Do I need the 2”seatback height extension on my rolling shower chair?
- How big is the toilet seat opening on the portable shower chair?
- Can I get a Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair with the seat open to the front?
- Why can’t I buy the CST portable shower chair model with an open (horseshoe) seat front (CST - portable shower chair only)?
- Can I get Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chairs with the seats open to the side?
- Will the Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair fit over a toilet?
- What if I don’t have access to a toilet, say on a camping trip, perhaps, or I discover that extra-wide toilet that “you’ve never seen”?
- How do you get the mobile shower chair commode accessory to fit inside the travel bag?
- What do I do if there is no roll-in shower available?
- What happens when I encounter a bathtub with the showerhead on the “other” side (CST - portable shower chair only)?
- How does the seat slide across into the tub? Doesn’t the footrest get in the way (CST- portable shower chair only)?
- How hard is it to slide the seat across the track into the tub (CST portable shower chair only)?
- Can I get the CST with a longer (or shorter) bridge?
- Should I order the standard cushion or upgrade to the 1-5/8” one?
- How long does it take to assemble or disassemble the Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair?
- Do you supply the tools required to assemble the Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair?
- Can the Go-Anywhere commode wheelchair tip over?
- Are the “big” wheels on the SP rolling shower chair interchangeable (SP only)?
- Can I “push-up” on the armrests?
- Can my caregiver lean the portable commode chair back to get it up, or down, a step?
- What if there’s a step or a lip to get into my shower?
- Why can’t I purchase a Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair if I weigh more than 250 lbs (114 kg)?
- Can the finish come off of my Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair?
- Can I take my Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chair on an aircraft?
- Will my Go-Anywhere portable shower chair fit in the airport security x-ray machine?
- Won’t my Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair rust?
- Can my Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair become damaged?
- Where can I go see your Go-Anywhere portable shower wheelchairs?
- Will Medicare pay for my Go-Anywhere commode wheelchair? Are there other sources of funding available?
- Will I be charged any sales tax, VAT or customs duty?
- What happens if I receive my Go-Anywhere rolling shower chair and it just doesn’t do what I expected it to do?
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Are the Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chairs just for traveling?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Initially, the Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chair was designed as a travel shower chair because the inventor could not find a decent portable shower chair that he could travel with. Over time, it didn’t make sense to have to own one shower chair for home and another portable shower chair just for travel, so the Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chairs have evolved into everyday-use portable travel shower chairs that you can simply pack-up and roll-away when you want, or need, to travel. They’re that comfortable.
How high is the seat from the floor?
The seat heights are adjustable for whichever model of Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair you like. Just click on the “Specifications” link under any model on the “Products” page to see the range of adjustment for each chair.
The seat cushions themselves are approximately 17-1/2” wide and the aluminum frame beneath measures 18”-wide. The SP is to 23-1/2” with the 20”-wheels installed.
Can I get the Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair with a wider seat?
Unfortunately, no; each lightweight aluminum member on the Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair has been engineered specifically to span its length or width.
How high is the seat back?
The top of the seat back on all Go-Anywhere shower commode chairs measure approximately 15-16” off the top of the seat depending on which seat cushion is used.
Do I need the 2”seatback height extension on my rolling shower chair?
In infrequent circumstances some individuals may be more comfortable with an additional 2” of height on the shower wheelchair seat back. Generally speaking, unless the User is 6’-2” or taller, he or she should be fine with the standard seat back. Of course, a number of factors may come into play which might negate such generality, most obviously, the nature and/or severity of one’s disability.
How big is the toilet seat opening on the portable shower chair? A standard toilet seat was used as a template in determining the seat opening size.
Can I get a Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair with the seat open to the front? Yes, both Go-Anywhere shower commode chair models CS and SP come with “horseshoe” type seats with openings at the front of the seat. Please note that the tub-slider model CST does NOT come with an open-front “horseshoe” type seat. It instead has a standard closed aperture (See below).
Why can’t I buy the CST portable shower chair model with an open (horseshoe) seat front (CST- portable shower chair only)?
The aluminum tubing located at the front of the CST portable shower chair frame provides for an integral part of the rail system along which its seat assembly rides on its way to the tub frame. It cannot be removed, thus making it impossible to open the seat to the front.
Can I get Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chairs with the seat open to the side? Unfortunately not; both sides of the rolling frames on all of our shower commode chair models are integral parts of the chair’s structure. Neither side can be removed, rendering it impossible to open the seat to either side.
Will the Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair fit over a toilet?
You bet! The 16-1/2” clearance beneath the seat will clear any toilet we’ve run across, as will the 20+” height. Of course, we’ve, most assuredly, not seen them all!
What if I don’t have access to a toilet, say on a camping trip, perhaps, or I discover that extra-wide toilet that “you’ve never seen”?
You can purchase the commode accessory which consists of a sliding tray which “pulls-out” from behind the portable commode chair. The tray has a toilet seat hole cut out in which a net is installed which is designed to hold disposable plastic waste bags. You may buy the disposable bags we offer or use your own, or even an inexpensive plastic kitchen bowl sold in most department stores. Each of the bags we offer comes with an absorbent pad that quickly absorbs up to 16 oz. of human liquids and odors. All liquid collected is converted to a gel. Cleanup is as easy as tying the bag closed and disposing in the trash.
How do you get the mobile shower chair commode accessory to fit inside the travel bag? The typical commode “pail” has been replaced by a cleverly-designed sliding tray which “pulls-out” from behind the portable commode wheelchair. The tray has a toilet seat hole cut out in which a net is installed. The net is designed to hold disposable plastic waste bags which GO! Mobility can provide for you. This feature enables easy packing within the travel bag.
What do I do if there is no roll-in shower available?
The Go-Anywhere Commode, Shower ‘n Tub Chair [SKU: CST] solves that problem. By simply connecting the rolling commode wheelchair to the lightweight frame that may be placed in most any bathtub, you may slide your seat across the tub wall and beneath a showerhead.
What happens when I encounter a bathtub with the showerhead on the “other” side (CST- portable shower chair only)?
No problem! The Go-Anywhere Commode, Shower ‘n Tub Chair [SKU:CST] works in both “left-“ and “right-handed” bathtubs.
How does the seat slide across into the tub? Doesn’t the footrest get in the way (CST- portable shower chair only)?
The footrest needs to be removed before the seat assembly can glide across into the bathtub. It may, simply, be lifted out of its sockets and replaced once the User has slid over the tub. Optionally, the User may prefer to let his or her feet rest on the tub floor while soaking.
How hard is it to slide the seat across the track into the tub (CST - portable shower chair only)?
The glides upon which the seat assembly of the Go-Anywhere Commode, Shower ‘n Tub Chair [SKU:CST] ride are constructed using sealed, precision stainless steel ball bearings which render a nearly effortless glide along the rails.
Can I get the CST with a longer (or shorter) bridge?
Yes and no. Custom-length bridges are available to accommodate certain custom-sized bathtubs and Jacuzzis and depends upon the required span of the bridge and the weight of the User . Please contact GO! Mobility Solutions to discuss your specific requirements.
Should I order the standard cushion or upgrade to the 1-5/8” one?
The standard cushion is composed of high-quality, closed-cell foam which has received six coats of vinyl over its surface. It is soft and “cushiony” and not like the hard plastic surfaces you will typically find on most commode wheelchairs. The cushion has Velcro strips glued to its underside which adhere to its counterpart on the aluminum seat frame. It may be easily removed and reapplied as often as you wish.
The 1-5/8” cushion consists of two layers of the same high-quality, closed-cell foam as the standard cushion and is REALLY “cushiony”. It is recommended for users who have long sitting times and/or skin issues, such as being prone to breakdowns. It is “extra” comfortable.
The 1-5/8” cushion should probably NOT be used, (in most cases) if the user does his or her own transfers to and from the shower wheelchair. The extra layer of foam might hinder the ease of such transfers.
How long does it take to assemble or disassemble the Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair?
With a little practice, not more than a minute or two.
Do you supply the tools required to assemble the Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair?
There are absolutely NO TOOLS REQUIRED to assemble or disassemble any of the Go-Anywhere shower commode chairs.
Can the Go-Anywhere commode wheelchair tip over?
The camber built-in to the commode wheelchair’s rear legs was integrated into our design specifically for the purpose of minimizing such a possibility and to maximize the commode wheelchair’s stability. In the case of the Go-Anywhere commode shower wheelchair SP model, the 20” wheels, when mounted on either the front or rear of the chair, serve to add weight, as well as wheel base, to the commode wheelchair, rendering it nearly impossible to tip it over in the direction of the big wheel’s location. Placing sufficient weight on the footrest without first having the user’s weight on the seat, however, will cause the commode wheelchair to tip forward.
Are the “big” wheels on the SP rolling shower chair interchangeable (SP only)?
Yup; you can mount them on either the front or the rear of the rolling shower chair. In specific situations you may find the need to mount them on the front OR the rear. For instance, in the case in which a toilet has a narrow-depth tank and the 20”-wheels hit the wall behind them, the toilet seat hole of the rolling shower chair may be offset from the seat hole of the toilet. This may result in an, obviously, undesirable result in which somebody will be cleaning up the floor.
Can I “push-up” on the armrests?
Yes, the armrests on all Go-Anywhere shower commode chairs are constructed of extra-thick aluminum and the hinges supporting them are designed to support the user’s weight.
Can my caregiver lean the portable commode chair back to get it up, or down, a step? No; because of the camber built-in to the rear legs of the Go-Anywhere portable commode chairs, leaning the shower chair backwards will stress the welds and, over time, may result in structural failure of the joints where the rear legs meet the frame. This may pose a significant threat to health and safety. All four wheels of the Go-Anywhere portable commode chair should maintain contact with the floor beneath it at all times.
What if there’s a step or a lip to get into my shower?
If the step or lip is small enough to maneuver the Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair across, have at it! If, on the other hand, such step or lip presents an obstacle to getting the shower wheelchair across it without maintaining coincidental contact with all four wheels and the floor, then find alternative means. You can try placing a real or a makeshift ramp; install a row, or rows, of tile to render the step or lip maneuverable or, preferably, figure out a way to remove the obstacle altogether.
Why can’t I purchase a Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair if I weigh more than 250 lbs (114 kg)?
Weights in excess of 250 lbs (114kg) may result in excessive stress being applied to the welds used to fix the cambered rear legs to the frame of the shower wheelchair. Over time, these stresses could cause failure to the shower wheelchair’s structural integrity. This may pose a significant threat to health and safety.
Can the finish come off of my Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair?
The finish on the Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair is applied to its structural, aircraft-grade aluminum substrate using an electro-chemical process which, in effect, physically joins the finish and the metal. There is no paint which can peel off. Please note that it is possible to scratch the anodized surface, however, this would require more than casual effort.
Can I take my Go-Anywhere handicapped shower chair on an aircraft?
On some flights, yes, although on the majority of occasions you will be “gate-checking” your handicapped shower chair. Please refer to the articles on air travel at http://www.goesanywhere.com/articles-for-travel-shower-chair.htm for specific details and suggestions.
Will my Go-Anywhere portable shower chair fit in the airport security x-ray machine?
Yes. Please refer to the articles on air travel at http://www.goesanywhere.com/articles-for-travel-shower-chair.htm.htm for specific details.
Won’t my Go-Anywhere handicap shower chair rust?
No. The Go-Anywhere handicap shower chairs are constructed entirely of durable, lightweight structural aircraft-grade aluminum, stainless steel and other rust-proof/resistant materials.
Can my Go-Anywhere mobile shower chair become damaged?
Of course it can; nothing is indestructible. Although they are designed and built to be tough and durable, the Go-Anywhere mobile shower chairs should be treated in the same fashion as any of your other valuable Durable Medical Equipment, that is, with extreme care. There are two features, in particular, to keep in mind: First, as strong as aircraft-grade aluminum is, it can be dented if it is dropped hard, from high, or on to an uneven surface, or if anything heavy were to be dropped on it. A dent resulting from such an occurrence could have a detrimental effect on the ability to adjust the telescoping aluminum legs and footrest.
Second, ensure that you do not place any heavy and/or pointed objects on top of your cushions or pack anything on top of them (such as any other part of the chair). Because the foam is closed-cell, it will not spring back after being compressed for extended periods of time. Any indentations in the foam caused by such compression will become permanent. Do not place anything sharp on top of the cushions as the vinyl surface can puncture or tear. the closed-cell foam used in the manufacture of the seat cushions can be torn or cut. Avoid placing sharp objects on the cushion or folding the seatback down on to a sharp object.
Where can I go see your Go-Anywhere portable shower chairs?
In an effort to hold our prices down as low as possible we sell, exclusively, to the Consumer. The use of dealers and distributors, while serving to enhance our visibility, would result in our having to raise prices by the 30-50% mark-up that they require. As a result, besides the trade shows at which we exhibit (ref: http://www.goesanywhere.com/trade_shows_and_expos-for-portable-commode-shower-wheelchair.htm) and a few SCI centers that have demo models, there is no place you can go to see our products. For this reason, we will ship to you the Go-Anywhere portable shower chair of your choice, RISK-FREE, for a FREE-TRIAL PERIOD. Should our portable shower chair not work out for you, FOR ANY REASON, you may return it to us and we will issue you a FULL refund. There will be no re-stocking fee assessed.
Will Medicare pay for my Go-Anywhere commode wheelchair? Are there other sources of funding available?
Are there other sources of funding available?
No; for some mysterious reason, Medicare will not pay for any products which are used inside the confines of a bathroom. Unfortunately, the vast majority of private health insurers follow Medicare guidelines. DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU FROM TRYING! Obtain a prescription AND a Letter of Medical Necessity from your physician specifying a Go-Anywhere Commode ‘n Shower Wheelchair and submit it. When they inevitably deny the claim, appeal it. If that doesn’t work, submit to the Medicaid agency in your state. Some states are very easy, others are not. The same goes for the individual state offices of Vocational Rehabilitation (http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_ID=SVR). Should any of these apply to your situation, you should contact Workers’ Compensation, University Housing and local, community-based agencies that can help pay for equipment such as handicapped shower chairs.
Will I be charged any sales tax, VAT or customs duty for my Go-Anywhere shower wheelchair?
No; in the US, Canada and Mexico, you are exempt from sales tax. If you live in any member-nation of the European Union or in Australia, we can send you the necessary forms and documentation which will exempt you from both VAT and any duties. The two forms are simple. For any other country, please contact us at sales@GoesAnywhere.com and we will reply to you with the pertinent details.
What happens if I receive my Go-Anywhere rolling shower chair and it just doesn’t do what I expected it to do?
We will ship to you the Go-Anywhere Chair of your choice, RISK-FREE, for a FREE-TRIAL PERIOD. Should our rolling shower chair not work out for you, FOR ANY REASON, you may return it to us and we will issue you a FULL refund. There will be no re-stocking fee assessed.