3 Signs That It Might Be Time to Purchase a Walk-in Bathtub
Eventually, most of us will reach the point where continuing to use a traditional bathtub/shower combination isn’t the best idea. These conventional types of bathing setups could be potentially dangerous for those who are older or for those who are dealing with disabilities. Many people hold on to their tubs simply because it seems to be the easy way to go. No matter what the reason may be that you are continuing to use your current bathtub, here are three signs that it might be time to purchase a walk-in bathtub.
- You’re Having More Trouble Getting Into (and Out of) Your Bathtub Than You Used to
Basic tasks become harder to complete as we age. This is especially true if you have a shower that also acts as a bathtub. Consider the process of having to turn on the water, wait for it to fill, climb over the bathtub wall, keep one leg stable while you bring the other over the bathtub wall, and sit yourself down for a bath or continue to support yourself for the duration of your shower. Then you have to reverse the process to get out of the tub. All this can be a lot for older individuals or those who have disabilities to accomplish. In addition, engaging in this process can be extremely dangerous because there is always the likelihood of a fall occuring when you are trying to get in the bathtub, which has the potential for more damage to senior citizens or those with disabilities. If you have noticed increased difficulty when trying to enter or exit your bathtub, then looking into a walk-in bathtub is a good idea.
- You Experience Pain When Trying to Use Your Bathtub
Bathtubs are traditionally closer to the floor. Although this design may pose no issue to some, others dealing with health issues such as arthritis and or pain that occurs simply by extensive movement will often have trouble trying to lower themselves into the tub and climbing up out of the tub after they are done with their bath. Those who are dealing with these kinds of issues who are using a traditional bathtub could greatly benefit from walk-in tubs because they will require less movement to use and will often feature a variety of jets and helpful additions that will ease pain in the user. If pain is the problem, a walk-in bathtub may just be the solution.
- You Can’t Support Yourself for Long Periods of Time
We don’t always maintain energy levels as we age, and things that used to be simple such as standing and showering are made much more difficult. That being said, those who have a shower that doubles as a bathtub know how difficult it can be to have to stand and shower. Unlike a larger shower that contains no bathtub, there is no place for a chair and there is certainly nowhere to rest unless you want to sit down at the bottom of the tub. Luckily, bathtubs for seniors will typically have bathtub and shower capabilities and will allow you to sit down and use your tub so that you can conserve your energy and enjoy your baths or showers.
Walk-in bathtubs are extremely valuable tools that give people the ability to bathe without having to deal with the problems that arise when health issues plague them. If you have any of the three problems mentioned above, it might be time for you to start looking into walk-in bathtubs so that you can bathe freely and without worry.