7 of the Best Walk-In Tubs for Seniors That Help Reduce Bath Injuries
Getting in and out of the bathtub isn’t always such an easy feat — especially in your golden years. Using a walk-in tub can change that.
According to the National Council on Aging, one in every four Americans over the age of 65 falls each year, making it the leading cause of injury for older Americans — some of which can even prove fatal. What’s more, NewsUSA reports that 80 percent of these falls happen in the bathroom. Whether you or a member of your household needs a little extra help getting in and out of the bath, installing one of the best walk-in tubs can prove to be a Godsend, making for an easy way to help keep you or your loved ones from becoming a statistic.
Walk-In Bathtub Benefits
Deciding to purchase a walk-in tub can be viewed as an investment to ensure our sustained health. While the cost of purchasing and installing them can be rather expensive, if you take into consideration the amount of bathroom-related injuries that happen each year and their average medical cost (the average price for treating a fall $30,000, according to the National Council for Aging Care), it’s clear that the benefits of a walk-in tub far outweigh the cons.
The main perk of a walk-in bathtub is its convenient, waterproof door, which opens up to allow users to step in and out over a low threshold instead of hoisting themselves up over a traditional bath side. The built-in bath seat — which is often heated — also eliminates the burden of having to fully stand to get in or out of the bath.
Seniors aren’t the only ones who can benefit from these types of tubs, either: Anyone with a disability, illness, injury, special need, or even pregnant women, can use them to improve their quality of living. The built-in seat, for instance, can be extremely useful for wheelchair users, who will more easily be able to make the transfer into the bath and back again, leading to a greater sense of independence.
Many walk-in tubs also have spa-like hydro-massage, whirlpool, and Jacuzzi jets, which are great for easing sore joints and muscle pain for people of any ages.
How to Choose a Walk In Tub
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best walk-in tub for your needs. First off is the size. These tubs usually come in the standard bath tub size (roughly 60 x 30 to 32 inches), but you can get bigger or smaller ones depending on the allotted space you have in your bathroom.
You’ll also want to consider whether you prefer the door to open inwardly or outwardly (this is usually determined by bathroom space), and whether you want it to open on the left or the right.
Lastly, you have the option of choosing from a regular tub or one that has the aforementioned hydro-massaging features.
The Best Walk In Tubs
From freestanding tubs that will enable you to keep your current bathtub setup to models that will double as a jacuzzi, we’ve found 8 of the best walk-in bathtubs to suit your every need. Keep scrolling for FIRST’s picks for the best walk-in tubs for seniors.
