5 Tips For Choosing the Right Walk-In Tub For You

It can be a challenge to take care of your elderly loved ones as they grow older. They may become unable to care for themselves in many ways because of their failing physical strength and declining motor skills. They need assistance in many areas of life, including in the bathroom. Not all seniors can bathe or shower on their own anymore. But with a walk-in tub, it can be possible to restore that independence. Here are some tips for choosing the right barrier-free bathtub for you.

#1: Discover the Options

There are many kinds of walk-in bathtubs available, with many different features and targeted therapies for healing or relaxation like jets, aromatherapy, chromatherapy, heated seat backs, and more. There are many types of doors and shapes of tubs available as well. You need to ask yourself what type of tub you want.

#2: Determine Your Needs

The kind of tub you install will depend on the needs of the person it is intended for. Are they better off with a tub or a shower? What kind of door and seat would be convenient for them to use? Are you better off retrofitting an existing tub with a kit, or buying a full bath? Find the answers to all these questions before making the purchase.

#3: Set Your Budget

Installing a walk-in bathtub can be an expensive ordeal. You don’t want to strain your wallet too much, so you’ll want to list the options that are within your budget. Just make sure to include the cost of installation, fittings, etc., on top of the purchase price.

#4: Know Your Warranties and Other Policies

Whatever you purchase, it is important to be aware of all the after-sales services you will be getting. This includes the warranties, repair assistance, installation, and maintenance, etc. Make sure you have these details sorted with the seller.

#5: Talk To a Plumber

You should consult a plumber before you make the purchase because they will be able to assess how much alterations will be required in the plumbing. They can make suggestions specific for your bathroom so you know how much, if any, renovation will be needed.

5 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Safer for the Elderly

If you care for someone elderly, you start seeing their environment in new ways, realizing there are obstacles all around them every day — things that younger, more able-bodied people don’t even think about.

This is especially true in the bathroom. Getting older often means the body isn’t as strong as it was, and mobility and balance have become compromised. It’s important that this doesn’t get in the way of their self-confidence, and providing some tools so they can continue to take care of their daily needs is one way of maintaining their independence and confidence.

With this in mind, here are five bathroom safety options that you can install to make the bathroom safer for the elderly and handicapped.

#1: Non-slip Floors

When balance is already compromised, you should take every precaution to make sure the elderly can stay on their feet. Getting non-slip surfacing on the floors of your bathroom will help seniors navigate it better. Additionally, non-slip floors make them feel safer and more sure of their footing, helping to boost their confidence.

#2: Lever Faucets

Faucets that involve a lot of grabbing power and wrist action are a challenge for people with a weak grip — they can’t tackle difficult faucets on their own. The better choice would be installing faucets with a lever that can be turned with a simple push. This will require less energy to be exerted for a simple task, and it makes the bathroom safer.

#3: Grab Bars and Rails

Grab bars and rails can be installed in the bathroom in areas where someone needs to get up or sit down, like the toilet or the bath. These bars will give them the added support they need to more easily navigate the bathroom. It would also be beneficial to have grab rails around the sink to help stabilize balance when leaning over.

#4: Walk-in Bathtubs

Barrier-free bathtubs feature simple mechanisms to help the elderly and handicapped get in and out of the bathtub. Rather than having to step over the edge of a low tub, they can open a door, sit at a more accessible height, and close the watertight door behind them. With a walk-in tub, getting in and out of the bath can be done without assistance.

#5: Thick Rugs

Thick rugs in fall-prone areas ensure that, in case there is a fall, it is cushioned to some extent, thus preventing any serious injuries to seniors. In this way, the last bit of risk is reduced.

The bathroom is often the one place where it is hardest for someone to need your help. It can be demeaning to require assistance in this private place. Consider implementing these five tips in their bathroom to give them back some independence, increase their confidence, and keep them safe.