subject: Bringing A New Bathing Experience To The Elderly And Those With Handicaps [print this page] For most of us, taking a bath at the end of a long day is one of life's little luxuries, it is also something the majority of us take for granted. For the average healthy person stepping in and out of a standard bath tub poses no difficulties. However, as we age and become less steady on our feet or suffer from an illness or accident that reduces our mobility, the idea of having to try to climb into a standard bathtub to shower or bath can become a nightmare and can lead to poor hygiene rather than dealing with the hassle.
For many years there was absolutely nothing that could be done about this situation, unless you had another family member or a paid home care worker who could be there to help you with your daily shower or bath. Thankfully there have been many advances in the design of walk in tubs and easy-access shower enclosures specifically geared towards ensuring that those with mobility problems can still enjoy a long soak in the tub or a nice hot shower without having to rely on others to help them.
There are many different styles of a walk in bathtub and shower stall replacements, the most common one is the walk in bath model that is designed to replace either your original bathtub or fit directly into your existing shower. These safety tub and handicap tub models feature non slip floors and have a seat with a non slip surface for you to sit on while you bath. The outer wall has a self-sealing door that opens easily to allow you to walk into the tub with only a small step up and the walls are tall enough to provide bathing depth water when seated.
For those who must rely on a wheelchair for mobility there are tubs designed specifically to make it as easy as possible to enjoy a bath such as a handicap tub. With a self-sealing side door that opens to reveal a seat that is set at the perfect height for you to slide from your wheelchair onto and back to your chair again. Once closed the handicap tub provides chest deep water that drains through a rapid drain system. You can even get these with built in hydrotherapy jets built right in to them.
One disability that is often overlooked yet plays a major part in finding a bathtub enclosure is those of us that have a fuller figure up to and including 500 pounds. When a person reaches this weight range trying to get into a standard tub may not be possible. Today there are walk in tubs that feature extra wide doors to make it much easier and safer for the fuller figured person to get in and out of. This safety tub features non-slip floors and seats and can be purchased with extras such as hydrotherapy jets and thermostatic mixture valves.
Many of us have a master bathroom that has a shower stall built into one corner instead of a bathtub. For most of our lives this setup has worked just fine, now that we are a little less steady on our feet it may not be quite as safe. Now there is a replacement safety tub unit that fits into the same space but is an enclosure that has a built in seat and a sealing door that lets you take a shower while sitting down and still allow one who does not need the seat to still enjoy a standing shower thanks to the handheld shower head.
Not everyone wants an extra tall bath or to have to live with only being able to take a shower. One of the latest innovations is a walk in bathtub that has standard dimensions that will allow anyone to enjoy a traditional long hot soak. The main difference is that these walk in tubs have a built in power seat for the person who needs a little extra help. The seat will lower and raise a person who weighs up to 365 pounds at the touch of a button which allows them to take a fully reclined soak, unlike the other sitting style tubs.
Thanks to many advances in modern assisted bathing systems the majority of us with mobility problems no longer have to worry about having to wait for help to take a shower or a bath with a walk in bath or safety tub. These walk in tubs are designed specifically to make it possible for the majority of those with handicaps or the elderly to be able to enjoy the same standards of hygiene that they have always been able to in the past and to be able to do it in privacy without the help of others. For more information please Visit : www.independenthome.com
