#Accessible tub install#

Safety Grab Bars - Handrails or safety grab bars make it easier to stabilize yourself or your loved one during entry and exit from the bathtub and often come built into the tub's design.įast Drain - This feature allows you to quickly drain the tub in case of an emergency. These automatically compensate for extreme changes in the cold and hot water lines to prevent injury while bathing.

The lower the height, the better!īuilt-In Seating - Most walk-in tubs have textured seating to help prevent slipping off the seat while bathing and to significantly reduce the effort required for individuals to go from laying in a bathtub to a standing position.Īnti-Scald - Anti-scald valves come standard with most walk-in bathtub models. Step-In Height - With a step-up height of between three and seven inches, walk-in tubs are ideal for people with limited mobility and balance issues. Non-Slip Flooring - Most models include anti-slip textured floors to help prevent slips and falls. What Safety Features Should You Consider? These massage jets can be especially beneficial for those with arthritis and other illnesses that cause chronic pain.Īerotherapy Tubs - Aerotherapy tubs also use air jets, but with air pressure, to add a gentle effervescence to the bathing experience.Īromatherapy Tubs - Aromatherapy tubs use essential oils to create a relaxing scent that can create a soothing atmosphere to enhance the bathing experience.Ĭhromatherapy Tubs - Chromatherapy tubs use specialized lights in various colors to promote relaxation. Hydrotherapy Tubs - Hydrotherapy tubs, also commonly referred to as whirlpool tubs, use jets and water pressure to provide massage-like qualities. Bathtubs with an integrated lift-seat are also available, however, these are more commonly used in assisted living facilities. Wheelchair Accessible Tubs - Wheelchair accessible tubs have larger doors, making it easier to transfer from a wheelchair directly into the tub, though a walk-in shower may be better suited to your needs. The person bathing has only to walk into the tub, sit down on the built-in seat, close the watertight door, and begin filling the tub.īariatric Walk-In Tubs - Bariatric tubs are designed much like a soaker tub but can accommodate more substantial weights and often have a bit more room to move around inside the tub. Soaker Tubs - Soaker tubs are most similar to a traditional bathtub with very few bells and whistles. There are three basic types of walk-in tubs available in addition to a few therapeutic options: soaker tubs, bariatric tubs, and wheelchair-accessible tubs. What Types of Walk-In Tubs Are Available? Wheelchair-accessible tubs can also help you create a home of comfort and accessibility while allowing your loved one to live independently. The need for and type of walk-in tub required depends on the individual's current and future mobility as well as any specific conditions they have that may benefit from some of the more therapeutic options available. In general, most walk-in tub models are designed with an outward swinging door to help prevent falling or slipping and a built-in seat.īecause these types of tubs often also come with special safety features, they can ease the stress and anxiety you may be experiencing and help make bathing a more enjoyable experience for you or your loved one once again. In some cases, the addition of a walk-in tub may allow your loved one to age in place, helping them to stay safely in the home they love longer. Walk-in tubs come in a variety of options and configurations to fit your unique needs and budget. Walk-in tubs often look similar to traditional bathtubs but come with a watertight door built into the side and often include one or more safety grab bars to make getting in and out of the tub easier. What is a Walk-In Tub?Ī walk-in tub is a bathtub used for the same purpose as a standard tub however, the design provides a safer, more convenient, and comfortable bathing experience for people of all ages and levels of mobility.

#Accessible tub install#

One way to reduce the risk of falling and injury while bathing is to install a walk-in tub. In fact, the most hazardous activities for all ages are bathing, showering, and getting in and out of the shower or tub.

More than half of all injuries occurring in people over the age of 85 occur in the bathroom.