Walk In Bathtubs
Specialized walk in bathtubs are readily available for purchase today. These bathtubs were created with the elderly and handicapped in mind. They come in a variety of styles to ensure a perfect fit for anyone.
What is a Walk In Bathtub?
It might sound odd to some, but walk in bathtubs allow you to do just that; simply walk in. With some variations among models, basically each walk in bathtub has a door in the side walls of the tub that opens to allow you to pass through. Stepping over the rim of the tub is difficult for some people so this design was the solution created to provide easy access.
The beauty of the walk in tub is that although there is a door in the side, it is still water tight. One can simply open the door, enter the tub and close the door. The tub is now ready to be filled.
Walk in tubs typically feature built in seating in the form of a bench to make bathing easier and more relaxing. Provided and strategically placed grab bars and faucets are within easy reach when in the seated position. These walk in bathtubs are deeper than a standard bathtub to provide a better soaking experience while in seated.
All walk in bathtubs are created with safety as the number one priority. The door is provided for easy access into the tub. The grab bars are located throughout the bathtub to give the user increased stability and support. Even the floor has been fashioned in a way to further prevent slippage before, during and after the bath. The floor is textured with a non-slip material that provides the much needed extra traction even when wet.
Who Can Benefit From Walk In Bathtubs?
As mentioned before, the elderly and handicapped were inspiration behind these specialized bathtubs. As we get older, it gets to be more difficult to climb over the high walls of bathtubs. Even the shallower ones can pose a problem. With the easy to use door, this issue is remedied.
Walk in bathtubs are a great problem solver for a number of handicaps. There are many models available, some that are specially made to be wheel chair accessible. One model in particular is raised off the ground so that it is level with the seated person in a wheelchair. This makes it easier to move from the chair to the provided seating within the bathtub. The doors of wheelchair accessible walk in bathtubs open outwards in stead of in to provide a larger opening to pass through.
The in-home care giver will also benefit from a walk in bathtub. Because many people need assistance getting up and down, the job requires a lot of heavy lifting. With walk in bathtubs, the need to lift is eliminated as there is easy open access to the bathtub seating.
Walk In Bathtub Costs
Walk in bathtubs vary in price but are more expensive than a standard bathtub while less than the very extravagant, high end tubs. Sometimes, insurance companies and Medicare will pay for or provide assistance for the purchase of a walk in bathtub.
Walk in bathtubs can give a feeling of independence and stability. Many people, who could not take a bath on their own before, can now. The creators of these specialized bathtubs have taken every precaution to make sure that safety is first, but in turn have made a comfortable and easy to use system. A walk in bathtub may be the best purchase made to encourage the well being of yourself or a friend or loved one.
