Easy Access Baths 101: Seniors Bathe Easy in Walk-in Tubs
Easy access baths make bathing fun and enjoyable again.
With a walk-in bathtub, you no longer have to climb over a high wall to get in or out of the tub with wet feet and slippery floors. You can simply open the door to your beautiful new soaking tub and use all of the ADA-compliant features to safely step right in and take a seat.
This is especially important for seniors looking to continue living independently — or age in place – long-term. More than one-third of those 65 years or older experience a fall each year, and bathrooms have many slippery surfaces.
So, easy access bathtubs are one of the best additions that seniors can make to the bathroom in order to prevent slips and falls.
Here’s how walk-in bathtubs can help you bathe easy and enjoy all of the bubbles and benefits.
Walk-in Tub Seats for Comfort and Safety
The walk-in bathtub seat is one of the features that makes it stand apart from a traditional bathtub. There are many different types of integrated seats, which support different personal needs.
However, all integral seats add another layer of safety, security and comfort while bathing. They are also positioned adjacent to the tub door for easy access. This means you can get in and out with ease.
A powered seat is another option. It looks a bit like a U-shaped saddle that hugs either side of your waist and slowly lowers you down into the tub.
The powered seat lift then places you carefully into the tub. The warm tub water is added once you're in the proper position. Once done? With the click of a button, it will raise you up once more and give you the leverage and support required to exit the tub.
Interested in extra comfort? There are also options for heated seats. Some models even heat the back of the seat and the arm rests, too. It’s almost like the bathtub is giving a warm hug!
You can also add extra padding. The cushions make it a super soft place to rest a weary head, relax and unwind.
Bathtub Doors for Easy Entry and Easy Exit
As there are a wide range of easy access baths, there are many different types of tub doors too. Each door type is specially designed with accessibility in mind.
You may notice that they come in various shapes. The U-shaped doors are common and have rounded edges for safety.
Wheelchair accessible walk-in tubs often use L-shaped doors. This shape and the extra-wide opening helps with the transfer from the seat of a wheelchair to the seat of a bathtub.
Walk-in bathtub doors also swing in different directions depending on the model. This is something to talk through with your professional walk-in tub installer or specialist.
If you’re remodeling a smaller bathroom, you might consider an inward swinging tub door. These work well in small spaces.
On the other hand, outward swinging doors often allow for a bigger soaking tub and have extra accessibility benefits. Some bathtub models have doors that open in both directions.
Easy Access Bath Handles for Assistance
From handheld shower heads to strategically placed grab bars, walk-in bathtub handles allow for easy access.
Door handles: Walk-in tub doors serve a lot of different purposes and are often pretty heavy-duty. They provide a water-tight seal.
That said, the door handles are specially designed to make the door simple to use. It doesn’t require a lot of effort to open and close. Curved handles also mean no sharp edges, which can hurt.
Grab bars: These bathtub handles are important. They assist with getting in and out of the tub. Grab bars can also help you better adjust your position while inside the tub.
Need extra assistance? Grab bars can be placed on the walls around your tub.
Faucets: Walk-in bathtubs place faucet knobs within reach of where you will be sitting. Some tubs offer handheld shower heads that are easily moveable.
You can grab and twist the handles with a light touch. This is extra helpful for those managing arthritis symptoms.
