Taking baths unassisted is one of the challenges of having limited mobility, given that standard bathtubs are not designed for ease of ingress and egress. Fortunately, there is a solution — walk-in bathtubs. In today’s post, Bath Planet of Boston discusses the benefits of walk-in tubs in terms of mobility, and why you should consider one when planning your bathroom remodel.
How Do Walk-In Tubs Work?
Standard bathtubs have rims that are typically several inches above the bathroom floor. It’s not a problem for people with fully functional limbs to get in and out of, but for those with mobility issues, it makes bathing unassisted a difficult task.
A walk-in bathtub solves this problem with a low threshold design. Instead of a lowered rim, which would defeat the purpose of a bathtub’s basic design, the entry point features a hinged panel that works much like a watertight door when closed. Additional features like grab bars can be installed around the walk-in tub to facilitate ease of ingress and egress.
The Benefits of Walk-In Tubs
The key benefit of a walk-in tub is it lets people with mobility issues bathe themselves unassisted. It also lets them enjoy the therapeutic benefits afforded by standard baths. A walk-in tub can also make the bathroom safer to use because they’re shaped so that the person bathing sits in it instead of lying down, reducing the risks of drowning. The upright profile also facilitates ease of movement between tub and wheelchair.
Since walk-in tubs have a significantly smaller footprint compared to standard bathtubs, you get additional floor space that can be allocated to more space for wheelchair users to move in. It’s also worth considering that walk-in tubs and other accessibility improvements are a form of future-proofing for your home; it can also raise your home’s value. Whether you decide to stay in the same home in your later years or sell it, you’ll benefit from these improvements either way.
Learn more about the benefits of walk-in tubs and our other services, including bath replacement, by giving Bath Planet of Boston a call at (508) 372-8831 (Shrewsbury), (781) 332-4423 (Pembroke) or (781) 932-4805 (Woburn). You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
