How a walk-in bath can increase your safety, independence, and health.

For the elderly and those with limited mobility, especially if living alone, some of the most simple tasks become very dangerous. This includes bathing for the elderly and those with limited mobility. People over the age of 85 are at a much higher risk of serious slip and fall injuries in the bathroom as reported by US Centers Disease Control and Prevention. A simple edition of a walk-in bath provides a high level of safety and feeling of security for individuals concerned with stepping over the side of traditional bathtubs.

A walk-in bath is a bathtub with a built in tub door, seat, safety bars, and many other safety and luxury features. For handicapped or mobility impaired individuals a wheel chair accessible or slide-in bath would suit their needs better. Individuals with minor disabilities (knee replacements, hip replacements, and elderly) that want an easy, accessible tub are better suited with a walk-in bath.

There are however some situations where a walk-in bath may not be right for individuals living alone or without the help of a caregiver, which we discuss in this article- click here.

For individuals that are a good match for a walk-in bath- the benefits are too long to list here, but we will cover the safety, independence, and health aspects a walk-in bath provides.

Safety

Walk-in bath tubs provide many safety features not available in traditional bathtubs. These safety features are a requirement of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and include using a regulated tub entry door, slip resistant floor, standard and wheelchair accessible tub seat, and safety grip bars. Adhering to the ADA strict requirements provides individuals a much safer bathing experience.

Independence

Being able to bath in privacy, without the assistance of others provides a great sense of independence. The safety features included in ADA approved walk-in bath tubs enables individuals the ability to bath in complete privacy when it’s convenient for their schedule. Far too many individuals are placed in care facilities far too early and simple safety editions in the home could provide many additional years of independence.

Health

Besides the general safety features of a walk-in bath, there are many features that provide incredible health benefits. Health benefits include stress relief, calmed nervous system, detoxification, lymphatic system stimulation, improved blood circulation, and overall relaxation- just to name a few. For a complete list of health benefits click here.

We hope this article has provided you with helpful information. If you have benefited from a walk-in bath, are considering getting a walk-in bath, or have any questions or comments, please reply below.