Walk-in bathtubs are an excellent choice for anyone with balance issues, arthritis, joint or back pain, or other health concerns that make standard tubs difficult to use. Tub to shower conversions are also ideal for wheelchair users or even for smaller bathrooms where a full bathtub takes up too much space!
If you or someone in the family has health concerns that make bathing alone a challenge, you might note some vital information about walk-in tubs, tub to shower conversions, and other safety features you can add to a home with the help of columbuswalkinbathsolutions.com. These simple changes and installations can provide for private, safer bathing and everyday living, reducing the risk of injury while ensuring full comfort in the bath and around the house.
What Are Walk-In Bathtubs?
Source: toptenreviews.com
A walk-in bathtub is just as the name implies; a tub with a hinged door that allows you to literally walk into it rather than stepping over its side. Most walk-in bathtubs have higher walls than standard tubs, as well as built-in seating, grab bars, and other such safety features. You can also order walk-in bathtubs with whirlpool jets, fast filling and draining options, and other such features that make them more comfortable to use overall.
Most consumers purchase walk-in bathtubs for safety reasons. Stepping over a standard tub wall is often difficult for those with arthritis, back and joint issues, or other such health concerns, as this requires balancing on one foot outside the tub and then on the other foot on a wet tub floor! Joint pain, limited balance, vertigo, and other such issues can increase the risk of falls when getting in and out of the tub, while a walk-in bathtub reduces or eliminates those risks.
A walk-in bathtub can also mean the added comfort of being able to sit while bathing. Persons struggling with obesity, joint pain, back pain, breathing disorders, and similar issues might find standing during bathing difficult, while a walk-in bathtub provides comfortable seating. Sitting while bathing also allows you to safely wash your feet, shave your legs, or perform other personal care routines without having to bend, stoop, or reach while balancing on a wet tub floor.
For those who appreciate soaking in a bathtub, a walk-in bathtub also means not having to lift yourself from a reclined position once the bath is over! Since walk-in bathtubs have higher walls than standard tubs, this allows you to soak your upper body and enjoy a more complete and relaxing bath, while still staying safe on a tub seat rather than its floor. For more information about this you can check Watson’s.
What Is a Tub to Shower Conversion?
Source: windowsplusky.com
A tub to shower conversion is an excellent choice for those who don’t use tubs, or who need to open up a small bathroom space. Tub to shower conversions remove the bathtub altogether and create a walk-in shower space in its place. A walk-in shower can include built-in seating for a spa-like experience or for added comfort and safety in the shower, allowing you to stay seated while bathing.
Tub to shower conversions are excellent for wheelchair users or those who require handicap appliances such as walkers and canes. A wheelchair user can more easily transfer to a shower seat in a walk-in shower, and the open space of the shower allows you to keep your devices and aids close at hand.
Since a walk-in shower means an open shower space, this is also a great choice for smaller bathrooms that might feel cramped and crowded with a bathtub. Choosing glass shower doors rather than a curtain also helps keep the space open and airy; since glass reflects light, your bathroom might also feel brighter and more welcoming with a walk-in tub to shower conversion.
Tub to shower conversions can also reshape the footprint or layout of the shower areas. An installation contractor can expand the space, giving you added room to accommodate a wheelchair or for additional seating, or he or she can reduce the area used for the shower. A reduced footprint can allow for more room outside the shower area, if you need a larger linen closet or vanity or just space for foot traffic!
Stair Lifts and Other Safety Features for Homes
Source: stannah.ca
While bathtubs are especially risky, stairs are downright dangerous for anyone with balance issues, joint pain, vertigo, and other such conditions and concerns. Managing stairs is especially difficult if you need to carry heavy laundry baskets and other such items up and down those stairs with you.
Stair lifts are an excellent choice for homes; these are motorized chairs attached to a long bracket that extends over the length of the stairway. The chairs allow you to sit comfortably and safely rather than having to walk up and down the stairs.
Home elevators are also an excellent choice for anyone with health concerns or balance issues, and these are often more compact and affordable than homeowners realize! An elevator might require no more space than a small closet, and its front doors can blend seamlessly with your wall color or décor. Elevators allow you to safely transfer from one floor to another, even carrying laundry, groceries, and other such items without the risk of falling.
Source: lifewaymobility.com
Grab bars also provide added safety around the home; these bars are commonly found in showers or next to toilets, but they can also make transferring in and out of bed or your favorite chair much easier. For anyone with balance issues, grab bars or railings installed along hallways also provide added support. Today’s grab bars come in a wide variety of colors and materials, avoiding a drab, industrial look and blending seamlessly with your décor.
Some insurance companies and home health care providers offer personalized tours and recommendations for individuals with health concerns who want to stay in their home while ensuring it’s safe. For instance, they might suggest adding non slip backings to area rugs, upgrading porch railings, or installing temperature control settings to hot water taps. Along with stair lifts and a walk-in bathtub, this can mean enjoying a safe environment at home no matter your health concerns or limitations.
