Think about balance first. A simple stool works for someone who just tires standing. A chair with a back and armrests gives support for someone who wobbles when sitting down or getting up. A tub transfer bench straddles the tub wall, so your parent sits outside the tub and slides across, which avoids stepping over the edge altogether.
Many older Markham homes, especially in Thornhill and Milliken, still have a standard tub-shower combination. For those bathrooms, a transfer bench is often the most useful single item you can buy. Newer homes in Cathedraltown or Cornell may already have a walk-in shower, where a chair or a wall-mounted seat fits better. In condos, measure the shower floor, since some stalls are too small for a chair with arms.
Prioritise a wide, stable base with rubber tips, height adjustment, and a weight rating that suits your parent with room to spare. Check that it's rust-resistant and easy to clean. Pair the shower seat with a hand-held shower head, so your parent can wash sitting down, and add grab bars if there's nothing solid to hold. In multigenerational homes where several people share one bathroom, a chair that folds or lifts out easily keeps everyone happy. These are usually private purchases, and Veterans Affairs Canada may help eligible veterans.
Our pick for a tub-shower is a padded transfer bench with a back. It's bulkier and a little awkward for others who use the same bath, but it removes the riskiest step. Few Markham stores carry a wide range, so many families also check sellers in Richmond Hill or Scarborough.