One out of every four seniors will fall in their home each year. Over 2.8 million people age 65 or older visit the emergency room each year due to falls. Hundreds of thousands of these will happen in the bathroom, most of these injuries occurring near or in the shower or bathtub. A walk-in tub or walk-in tub/shower combination can help your loved one stay in their home and stay safe. While, there are a wide variety of models available at many different price points, they all have the same basic features:
Threshold
Watertight Door
Shower Head
Seating
Size
Non-Slip Floor
Additional Features
Threshold
The threshold is the step in to the tub. On a traditional tub this is 15 inches, in a standard walk-in tub it’s just three to 7 inches high, even lower for wheelchair accessible walk-in tubs. This makes entering and leaving the tub safer as it requires no high leg lifting or balancing.
Watertight Door
All walk-in tubs have a watertight door that seals them when closed. You can choose from three types of doors. One that swings inward, one that swings outward, or one that slides up and down. The style of door you choose depends on the space you have in your bathroom and your needs. For those who need a wheelchair accessible tub, a outward swinging or vertical door are the best options. This is also true for larger individuals who need a little more room to get in and out. With that said, you must have enough room in your bathroom space for an outward swinging door. The doors not only seal tightly but are light weight and easy to close requiring minimal arm strength to open and close.
Shower Head
Another standard feature of walk-in tubs is the handheld shower head. This offers the convenience of bathing while sitting down. While, you can choose from a wide variety of shower heads, most have adjustable pressure and spray features. This is a great feature for those with limited mobilities. Depending on the type of shower head, the price of your walk-in tub could change.
Seating
One of the great safety features of walk-in tubs is the built-in seating they offer. This allows for the user to be comfortable and safe at the same time. Combined with the handheld shower head and you or loved one can enjoy a relaxing bath while still getting clean. Some walk-in tub models have built-in chairs that can be moved and adjusted to fit you or your loved one’s unique needs.
Size
While, a traditional bath tub is generally about one foot deep, a walk-in tub is on average two and a half feet deep giving the user the feeling of being in a spa. This extra depth allows for tired muscles and joints to soak as well.
Non-Slip Floor
Another standard feature often found in walk-in tubs is a textured, non-slip floor. This is one of the great safety features that makes walk-in tubs popular.
Additional Features
While, most walk-in tubs boast the features listed above, there are also a wide variety of additional features available. This include jets, hand rails, heated seating, and more. These additional features will change the cost of your walk-in tub, but may offer you additional benefits for your specific needs. Some other additional features include:
Aromatherapy
Chromotherapy
Water Temp Control
Hydro-Jet Therapy
Quick Release Drain
No Step Door
Cleaning System
Aluminum Frame
Anti-Scald Technology
Interior Gel Coating
No Strength Locking Handle
Lifetime Warranty
Any or all these features are available for the walk-in tub of your dreams. You can customize your tub to fit your specific medical and comfort needs. You can talk about all these features and more during the free consultation and estimate offered by most walk-in tub installation companies. Walk-in tubs allow you the accessibility you or your loved one needs and the freedom to stay in their own home. The low threshold, no-slip floors and hand rails can all help guard against slips and falls.