Many elderly people worry about slipping and falling in the bathroom. What’s more, if they want to get into or out of a standard bathtub, they have to step over a 14 to18 inch ledge. This provides another opportunity for slipping and falling.
The solution to this problem is the walk-in bathtub . This type of safety tub offers the elderly convenience and safety features.
First, most walk-in tubs just have doors with a short 2-inch step a senior citizen can easily step over. And once the door is closed it provides a watertight seal so the senior doesn’t have to worry about water leaking out of the tub.
The floors of the walk-in tub are usually non-slip. So if the elderly person has to stand up or move around inside the tub it’s less likely he or she will fall.
A contoured seat and backrest inside the tub provides the user with a comfortable place to rest while in the tub. By properly adjusting the seat height, the user can be in a position that allows their feet to be touching the non-slip floor of the tub while the rest of their body is surrounded by soothing water.
Because walk-in tubs are usually shorter than a regular tub, the faucets are located closer to the person sitting in the tub. This makes it easier for an elderly person to reach and control the water flow. Some manufacturers also offer an option to control the temperature of the water. This option can prevent the elderly person from getting scalded.
Another typical safety feature offered with built-in tubs is grab bars . These rails can help the elderly when getting in or out of the tub.
Keep in mind that all these features are also important to people who may not be elderly, but have a temporary or permanent disability that limits their mobility when using a bathtub.
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