Those who have physical impediments may find bathing to be a frustrating and complicated process, especially when using traditional bath or shower designs. Unlike walk in bathtubs, which are created for bath safety and comfort, standard showers usually don’t have anti-slip features and grab bars, and they lack the comfortable seating that can be of great assistance to people with limited mobility.

An easy to install and comfortable alternative to traditional showers, walk in tubs have many features and amenities designed to make life easier. More and more handicap accessible units are being manufactured that include handy grab bars, height-adjustable shower heads and easy to use faucets. These tubs can contribute greatly to your comfort and safety.

For the ultimate accessibility, handicap showers usually feature a very low threshold or are even level with the floor. However, walk in tubs provide the option of either taking a shower or enjoying a nice soak in warm water without worrying about how you will get in and out of a traditional bath. Being able to take a bath is not merely a luxury – soaking is well known to be therapeutic and aids in easing bodily aches and pains. Walk-in models usually come with a shower head that can be either hand-held or wall mounted and can be adjusted to the perfect height for you.

An astonishing variety of walk in bathtubs are available on the market today. What they all hold in common is some kind of inward or outward opening door in the side of the tub. This allows for a low threshold that is far safer and easier to step into than in 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, inward-opening doors are advantageous because they are “self sealing” due to the pressure of the water on them when the bath is full, and they also require less room.

“Sit-in” tubs are typically the most popular models, offering a chair-height seat that is easy to get in and out of. These are convenient and excellent for both bathing and showering. However, some other models provide powered seats that can lower and lift you safely and easily in and out of a traditional height bath. This allows for a full-length bathing experience without the worry of slipping and falling. In addition to anti-slip surfaces and convenient grab bars for added safety, many tubs offer hydrotherapy jets as an option. Hydrotherapy is very therapeutic, aiding further in soothing aching joints and sore muscles.

Handicap accessible tubs come in several different sizes and types to meet your needs and lifestyle. Shorter models can be found for a variety of hard to fit places, including bathtubs that are specifically made to take up the same amount of space as a standard shower stall. Long tubs are more like traditional baths and give you more room to relax and enjoy your soak.

Since being inside the tub is a necessity both while it fills and empties, walk in tubs have special features. The most important of these is a thermostatic mixer, a regulator that makes sure all water comes out at the right temperature for your safety and comfort. More advanced units may have a quick filling option. It is also important that the tub drain quickly. Seniors could catch a chill from sitting for several minutes in cool water while waiting for the water to drain. To solve this problem, many tubs offer dual drain systems or even pumps that can drain the unit in under a minute.

Whether you mostly prefer showers with just the occasional bath, or you’d like to be able to soak in the tub every day, walk in bathtubs make your life easy by offering the ultimate in safety and in comfort.

Want to find out more about walk in bathtubs? Pace Bathrooms is a family owned, full service company specializing in handicapped bathrooms. They can convert any room for bath safety, no matter how large or small. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services