Tax Credits and Allowances for Better Senior Care

In our previous post on Bathing Safety for Alzheimer’s patients, we highlighted that if granted, the T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate  could be but toward a safety bath tub purchase. This includes a range of disabilities not associated to Alzheimer’s disease.

We also gave an overview on the Home Applications for Senior Independence (HASI) program which allows seniors that meet the given criteria a forgivable loan to put toward applications to help them around their homes - including bathroom aids.

Similarly, bathroom aids are considered eligible medical expenses. If you are caring for a parent for instance, you can claim the eligible medical expenses you paid on behalf of a dependent parent, up to a maximum of $10,000 per dependent.

Renovation costs you incur to accommodate your parents will qualify as an eligible medical expense and can likely give you tax savings under the medical expense tax credit.

If you are a Veteran, you may be eligible for the Canadian Veterans Independence Program which can assist you with home adaptations that also include bathroom aids and modifications in kitchens and doorways. 

To qualify you must meet ONE of the following criteria:

• You have qualified for a disability benefit

• You have qualified for the War Veterans Allowance

• You are in receipt of Prisoner of War Compensation

• You are eligible for but cannot access a Contract Bed or Priority Access Bed

• You have been the primary caregiver for an eligible veteran or civilian OR

• You are a low-cine or disabled survivor of an eligible Veteran of civilian

A simple call to your personal health insurance provider can help you assess whether you qualify for any of these tax credits or allowances toward home adaptions including bathroom aids.

Read our FAQs for more information on our products and their benefits!

Your Own Personal Getaway – In Your Bathroom

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could have your own little getaway in your home? A room that is a place to relax and rejuvenate after a long day’s work – a place that is yours to retreat to. The smallest things can make the largest impact such as a beautiful paint job, some flowers, the right light, and a beautiful place to take a nice warm bath. 

Got a small-space bathroom? No problem, we have the perfect model that you can tuck into a small space and still enjoy the luxury of being in a comfortable luxury bathtub. Turn any space into a dreamy nook in your home.

The Panama 2

With a 32” outward swinging door, our Panama 2 model is ideal for those who want to step into a work of pristine beauty and functionality but in their small space. Its measurements are 26” W x 37” H x 51” L making it the smallest walk in bathtub we offer on our product line. 

But while it’s small in size, it has so much to offer. It is made to suit a right-handed or left-handed person, and it includes warm air massage jets that come in a dual jet package, featuring a heated seat and back for maximum comfort. The Panama 2 also offers different options such as aromatherapy, which releases scents that help you relax, and the chromatherapy mode which offers a gentle light to positively influence your mood. 

It also offers a silicone pillow so you can rest your head as you relax. And the flexible curtain rod bends around open corners to fit into your space effortlessly. 

Technical Features 

On a more technical front, the Ozonator Water Jet Sanitation System helps to save water, energy, and minimizes chemicals and waste while producing no harmful by products. The high flow tap releases water at 14 gpm (gallons per minute) allowing it to fill up in roughly 4 minutes or less. And the bathtub is made of stainless steel and white acrylic.

The tub also offers:

• A hand-held shower wand

• 2” Rapid Drain

• Easy to reach drain controls with a fail-safe chain

• Three grabs for ease of access

• A slip resistant textured floor 

• A 17” ADA compliant seat

Turn your small-space bathroom into a whole other realm of relaxation with the Panama 2. Financing is available for all our bathtubs, and you may be eligible for a tax credit. Contact us to find out more!

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.

3 FEATURES THAT MAKE STEP-IN BATHTUBS SUITABLE FOR SENIORS

One of the biggest compromises that the elderly have to make with progressing age is enjoying an independent life. As their body begins to lose its former vigor, even the simplest and most mundane of tasks starts posing a significant safety challenge. Take bathing for example. It is something that most people don’t give too much thought to. But for a senior, managing their daily hygiene routine is like navigating a landmine full of safety risks and fall hazards. This is where step-in bathtubs can help make their life a little easier. Let’s explore 3 features that make this bathroom fixture suitable for use by seniors.

Door for easy access

The name of step-in bathtubs gives away the fact that they allow a user to ‘step in’ to the bathing area of the tub rather than follow the usual climbing in routine. These tubs have a door located on the side of the tub which can be used to enter and exit the tub with ease, without the need to manage the significant overstep that is part and parcel with using conventional tubs.

Slip resistant surfaces

Step-in tubs are designed with anti-slip technology that provides better grip on surfaces, especially the floor of the tub that can prove to be a major slipping hazard. Each surface is textured and contoured to ensure there is enough friction to prevent accidents and injuries that may result from a user falling/tripping over a smooth floored tub.

Seat for comfort

Most models of step-in bathtubs come equipped with a built-in seat that allows users to assume a comfortable chair like sitting position while bathing rather than having to sit all the way down on the floor of the tub. This prevents the need for a user to crouch down and hoist themselves up every time they get in and out of the tub while managing their daily bathing routine.

By providing these basic three features, step-in bathtubs allow senior users to manage their regular hygiene chores without seeking assistance from another person. And that can make a vast difference in how confidently and independently they are leading their life. What do you think?

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