As taking a shower is quicker and easier than a bath – certainly for anyone with reduced mobility – and supposedly more hygienic, why are baths still popular?
The benefits of bathing
Having a disability can be extremely stressful both on the body and the mind, and for many people, a long soak in a hot bath can be very therapeutic.
It can bring relief to inflamed and aching joints, while a bath at the end of the day can relax and prepare the body and mind for sleep.
Conventional baths and accessibility
Unfortunately, a conventional bath is not designed for anyone with impaired mobility. Stepping into and out of the bath can be difficult if you can’t easily raise your legs that high, and sitting or lying down and getting up again are hard if you lack muscle strength or have stiff joints.
Even with the assistance of a carer or relative, using a conventional bath is arduous and puts both the bather and their carer at risk of serious musculoskeletal injury.
What is a walk-in bath?
A walk-in bath looks similar to a conventional bath in many respects but features a watertight door on the side or end of the bath that allows safe and easy entry and exit to persons with limited mobility. Once the bather is inside the bath the door is closed and the bath can be filled with water.
The design of walk-in baths varies greatly and there is almost certain to be one that suits your needs, allowing you to enjoy the full bathing experience in safety and comfort.
- If you are most comfortable sitting in an upright position, you can choose a deep-sided, space-saving bath that features an integral seat at the correct height
- If you prefer to sit with your legs straight or to lie down, you can choose one with a powered rise-and-fall seat to get you into and out of the water effortlessly
- If you like to alternate between bathing and showering, you can get a combined shower and bath with a rise-and-fall seat
How easy is it to install a walk-in bath?
In many cases, a walk-in bathtub will have the same footprint as a conventional bath, so if you’re replacing an old bath with a walk-in model it can be as simple as taking one out and putting one in, with the whole installation taking as little as a day (extra time may be required if the footprint or height of the bath is different and remedial work on the wall and floor coverings is required).
Walk-in baths with a smaller footprint can also be used to replace a former shower cubicle in a smaller bathroom or where space is otherwise limited.
Bathroom adaptation specialists such as EA Mobility can handle the entire installation for you, from removing the old bath or shower to finishing and sealing the surrounding surfaces.
What are the key benefits of a walk-in bath?
Walk-in baths have multiple benefits for , eliminating much of the hazards of slipping and falling.
If assistance is needed to get into and out of the bath, it can often be embarrassing and undignified for the bather. It also means the bather has to schedule bathing around the times when assistance is available, either from a professional carer or a relative.
A walk-in bathtub restores pleasure, privacy and convenience to independent bathing.
A walk-in tub is also safer, with features including low access doors, anti-slip surfaces and powered rise-and-fall seats helping to prevent injury due to slips or strains.
Walk-in baths are also more comfortable than conventional baths, incorporating ergonomically designed seating at the correct height for your preferred bathing posture.
What extra features do walk-in baths offer?
Most walk-in baths can be fitted with additional features that enhance your bathing experience. These can include:
· Water massage
An air-water massage system such as Air Spa from EA Mobility can reduce muscle tension and improve circulation, which in turn helps to increase metabolism, aid digestion and remove toxins
· Chromotherapy
Also known as light therapy, this is a clinically-proven method of aiding tissue regeneration and healing, with the use of red light well-established as an effective natural treatment for joint pain.
· Bluetooth speakers
Whether you believe in the healing power of sound therapy or just like relaxing to the sounds of jazz, classical music or something more modern, installing bathroom-safe Bluetooth-connected speakers in your walk-in bath will bring the sound closer to you.
Where can I buy a walk-in bathtub?
While walk-in baths may be cheaper from online sellers such as Amazon and eBay, not all walk-in baths are equal and we would always recommend you seek the advice of a mobility aids specialist to ensure you get the best bath for your needs and professional installation.
As a specialist bathroom adaptation provider, we have many years of experience and a wide range of solutions that can be tailored to your individual needs.
We also strive to create pleasant bathroom environments where you can begin and end each day in comfort, using products that are stylish as well as functional.
Every client’s needs are different, which is why we like to start with a visit from one of our home assessors. This is completely free and without any obligation to use EA Mobility for your bathroom adaptation.
It’s also an opportunity for us to get to know you personally and to assess your needs while giving you professional, unbiased and personal advice on how your bathroom can be adapted.
If you choose to use EA Mobility for your bathroom adaptation our designers, fitters, electricians, plumbers and decorators will manage the entire project from concept to completion, working to the highest standards and with minimal disruption to your home and life.
If you would like to book a visit from one of our home assessors, please call us on 0800 468 1023 or fill out our online contact form and we will respond promptly.