Traditional shower design often fails to take into account the limited mobility factor that accessible walk in bathtubs address. This creates challenges for the user who experiences physical impediments that make bathing a frustrating and complicated process. Showers often lack grab bars, anti-slip protection and a proper seating area common to walk in tubs for a safe and relaxing bathing experience.
Increasingly, manufacturers are producing walk-in bathtubs with safety features that traditional showers miss. These easy to install, handicap accessible tubs include height-adjustable, easy-to-use faucets and shower heads and strategically located grab bars as well as many other amenities that can enhance comfort, safety and ease of bathing.
While handicap accessible showers feature a very low threshold or are even level with the floor for the ultimate accessibility, walk in tubs offer the flexibility of either taking a shower or enjoying a nice soak in warm water without worrying about how you will get in and out of the bath. Having the option for a bath is not just a luxury – soaking is therapeutic, easing bodily aches and pains. These baths usually come with a shower head that can be either hand-held or wall mounted and can be adjusted to the exact height for your needs.
Today, there are a great number of different walk in bathtub models on the market. All of them feature an inward or outward opening door in the side of the tub. This makes the tub far safer and easier to step into than traditional baths. Outward opening doors are considered to be safer in some cases, as the door can be opened even when the tub is full in case of an emergency. However, most choose inward-opening doors. These are advantageous because they require less room, and they are “self sealing” due to the pressure of the water on them when the bath is full.
A majority of the most popular models are termed as “sit-in” tubs and feature a chair-height seat that is easy to get in and out of. These are great for showering as well as bathing. Alternately, other models feature powered seats that can lower and lift you safely and easily in and out of a traditional height bath. This allows you to experience full-length bathing without the worry of slipping and falling. In addition to anti-slip surfaces and convenient grab bars for added safety, quite a few models also feature hydrotherapy jets, which have therapeutic properties that can aid further in easing achy joints and sore muscles.
Many different sizes and types of handicap accessible tubs are available to accommodate your needs and lifestyle. Short models are designed for various hard to fit places, including many that are specifically made to fit into the same space as a traditional shower stall. Long tubs are similar in size to traditional baths, allowing for more room to relax and enjoy a soak.
As you’ll need to be inside the tub both while it fills and empties, most walk in tubs have special features. One important feature is a thermostatic mixer, a temperature regulator that makes sure all water comes out at just the right temperature for your comfort and your safety. Many units have quick filling features as well. Another major issue is how quickly the water can drain. Seniors could catch a chill from sitting for several minutes in cool water as they wait for the tub to empty. Many models offer dual drain systems, or even pumps that can drain the unit in under a minute, to solve this problem.
No matter if you would like to soak in the tub every day, or you primarily intend to take showers but would like the option for an occasional bath, walk in bathtubs make your life easy by providing maximum comfort and safety.
Interested in learning more about walk in tubs? Pace Bathrooms is your premiere family owned and operated, full service company specializing in bath safety. They install every tub they sell and make sure that you are satisfied. Located in California, they sell and ship tubs all over the U.S. They can convert any room for safe bathing, no matter how large or small. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services
