Bathing can be a struggle for some people. Not necessarily the act of cleansing, but physically getting into the tub. The disabled, seniors or the ones merely challenged to climb over the tall ledge of a traditional tub, face each effort with a fear of falling.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to the standard bath/shower combination units you will find in most homes, especially the older homes. A walk-in tub or bath is a full unit that comes with a watertight door. Instead of climbing up and over the side, the door opens, revealing a minimal ledge to step over.
Once in, the user can fill the bath to a comfortable level. Once finished, the water needs to drain before opening the door. Anyone walking out needs to do so carefully because of the wet surface in the basin. These allow everyone an opportunity to bathe comfortably, independently (depending on ability), and safely.
01. Benefits of Walk-in Tubs and Baths
Walk-in bathtub models boast as having greater height than width with various configurations to suit specific client needs and household requirements. For the disabled, some options allow simple transfer to the convenient bath seat from assistive devices like a wheelchair. With this specific model, rather than have a mere door, the opening consists of nearly the whole front for adequate width making transfer easier.
There are a plethora of safety features so that there is no need to fear slipping and falling. Some of these include anti-scald valves to avoid burning while seated in the tub, grab bars to hold while getting seated, slip-resistant floors, and a seat built-in.
There are some offering self-cleaning units for mold and bacterial resistance, and others have safety switches for emergencies. These units are ideal for anyone with physical disabilities or progressing in age with limitations. Click here to learn how to choose the best system. The pros are abundant for those with compromised mobility with minimal cons. Let us take a look.
Pros of Walk-in Bathtubs:
01. Offers a level of safety a conventional tub cannot. Anyone can transfer to the built-in seat (maybe with some guidance depending on disability) by stepping over the low ledge. A standard tube requires climbing over a high wall to get in with a significant fall risk, considerably more dangerous than these alternatives.
02. Some come fitted with therapeutic options meant to help users feel relaxed. These can be exceptionally beneficial with varying osteoarthritis levels, chronic pain, joint issues, and other muscle aches and pains.
03. It can improve circulation and offer symptom relief as the body relaxes in the warm water.
04. Units are available with self-cleansing systems allowing easy clean-up and resistance to mold and bacteria with minimal risk for contracting any health issues.
Cons of Walk-in Bathtubs:
01. The walk-in bathtubs will be less budget-friendly than a conventional unit. Still, it is also a system that will give a greater return on the investment not only for the safety factor but for the health benefits, the sense of independence, and the convenience it offers.
02. When installing, there might be a need for an electrician to perform some setup work. It is something you should use a licensed electrician to complete so that you know the job is correct with no fear of issues down the road.
03. Medicare is unlikely to cover the expense for the bath unit. Still, there are other financial assistance alternatives to help with the purchase and some components Medicare might be willing to look at.
04. You might find you will need to upgrade your water heater to accommodate the system.While there are downsides that need considering before investing in a walk-in system, the benefits far outweigh the initial setup. At the end of the day, the costs will come back to you in comfort you will earn when entering and exiting the bath, minus the fear traditionally associated with this task. Safety and overall independence are worth so much more than a mere monetary investment.
People of any age or physical capacity cherish their independence. It is not something people let go of easily or readily. In purchasing a walk-in tub for senior, it allows a greater sense of independence for an extended period.
Often, people with mobility issues avoid bathing in the safety walk-in tub because they cannot climb over the ledge. Unfortunately, this creates poor hygiene issues and ultimately illness.
There is no need to go through the fear that comes with attempting to maneuver over a high wall in a standard bathtub. More people today are looking at the convenience and ease of the floor level system, making the effort less stressful.
It can give peace of mind offering the user a more relaxed, stress-relieving, calm experience as most get from bathing. In that same vein, most people tend to sleep better after a nice, hot, soothing bath leaving behind the tossing and turning from ailments like chronic pain or osteoarthritis.
Final Thought
It can be scary for anyone attempting to climb over the height of a traditional bath/shower combination wall to enjoy either the bath or the shower. That is even for people with no type of mobility issues, including small children climbing in or out (you can’t keep a child still.) Tubs can be tall, with many people inadvertently falling and accidents causing a multitude of injuries.
The upside is you do not have to keep these in your home. You can replace them with a walk-in system meant to induce a sense of safety first and foremost, followed by greater independence for those with compromised mobility.
Many progressively aging adults age 65+ have fallen, with a significant portion of these happening in the bathroom. Walk-in tubs offer a wide array of features meant to prevent falls and allow easy access to the bath seat from an assistive device or walking over a low step onto a slip-resistant floor to the seat.
Regardless of your age or ability, a bathroom, especially a tub/shower, can be dangerous. It would help if you ensured the area has adequate safety features for everyone in the home, whether small children, anyone limited in their capacity, or of an advanced age. You will never reach a point of being too safe.
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