Buying guide for senior friendly walk-in bathtubs
Walk-in bathtubs are a great option for the elderly and physically challenged people to enjoy a comfortable bath without the fear of slipping or hurting oneself. Unlike traditional walk-in bathtubs, there are bath tubs with special doors designed in one side for people with limited mobility or senior citizens as it cuts out the possibility of injury like accidental slipping while bathing. So before you embark on your journey to buy and install a new walk-in bathtubs, here are some tips and recommendations that you need to know before purchasing one.
Quality of Construction
Bath tubs like most other bathroom fixtures have evolved substantially over the years. Bath tubs which were once considered to be part of a luxury home have become far more affordable; thanks to the wide range of construction material. Focusing on the quality of construction therefore is paramount before deciding on the walk-in bathtubs for your home.
There are many local made bath tubs available in the market today that are available in half the price compared to more reputed branded ones. People may be tempted to go in for a cheaper local brand but considering that one bath tub once installed is usually for life, it makes more sense to focus on a better brand which uses prudent construction materials. Irrespective of the brand one chooses, make sure that the bath tub has a steel frame which is covered with acrylic or fiber glass that can give it a long life and a stronger body.
Features and functionalities
After the basic body structure, the next thing to watch out while purchasing a step-in bath tub is the host of features and functionalities. The growing competition in the bath tub segment has made sure that various brands are offering unique and innovative features in the bathtubs. Since the prime objective to buy a walk-in bathtubs is for the elderly to bath in peace, the number of safety features like inside railings or handrails, adjustable shower heads and inside the rub seating arrangement must be evaluated before deciding on the bath tub.
Draining mechanism
An apparent disadvantage of walk-in bath tubs is the waiting period before opening the entrance door while the water gets drained out. Some bath tub manufacturing companies have installed a quick draining mechanism that allows the bathtub to drain much faster than traditional bath tubs making is easier and quicker for the elderly to come out of the bath tub. Investing in a walk-in bath tub which has a quick drainage mechanism is recommended that it offers innovative technology plus reduces the waiting period for the elderly who can be rather impatient at times.
Senior Friendly
If you are looking to buy a walk-in bath tub for an elderly person it is suggested to consider the options for the disabled or wheelchair friendly users. While a normal person can pass through the walk in gate, any senior citizen using a wheelchair may find it impossible to enter the walk-in bath tub. There are certain walk-in bath tubs that are manufactured especially for the disabled and wheelchair bound allowing easier access to the bath seat from the outside.
Warranty
All bath tubs comes with a warranty, but before you finalize your purchase for the walk-in bath tub, make sure that the warranty covers all aspects including the fixtures, operating mechanism for the seat and the entrance gate to avoid unnecessary expenditures post installation.
