Types Of Walk In Baths And Tubs
It is very easy to take for granted simple acts that we do everyday such as getting in and out of the bath tub. For those of us who are young, this is a task that we accomplish with relative ease without even worrying about it. But there is a wide section of the population that does not enjoy this simple luxury mostly because they are physical limited in one way or another. Take for instance senior citizens. Contrary to popular belief that they could be suffering from some form or another of rheumatoid arthritis, there are those who are unable to get into the bath tub without special assistance simply because they are too old. With old age, the joints become stiff in some cases. Then there are those who suffer from arthritis of one format or another. Arthritis is a painful inflammation of the joints that makes movement an excruciatingly painful experience.
Then there are those who are not old but are also physically limited in one way or another. They could have been born with a crippling birth defect that stops them from being able to make normal movements. There are also those who have become paralyzed due to one reason or another and are now bound to wheelchairs. All these people need special assistance to get in and out of the shower or bath tub. Before the advent of walk-in tubs and baths, people with these kind of mobility issues had to be physically carried in and out of the tab.
Because there are different types of physical ailments that stop some people from finding it easy to enter into a bath tub, there are different-sized tubs in the market, namely Safety Tubs® which can fit in just about any space. For the largest and roomiest soaking experience, there are 60″ long x 32″ wide walk-in tub and baths. For traditionally sized bathrooms, there are 51″ long x 30″ wide walk-in bath. For bathrooms that would benefit from a tub taking up less space, you can find a 51″ long x 26″ wide walk-in bathtub.
In addition to three different walk-in tub sizes, there are extension kits that ensure that the tub fits the required standard and custom spaces. These can be comprised of 20″ width panel which is adjustable and which fits perfectly between the end of the tub and the wall.
There are many types of walk in tubs and baths. This is because there are many ailments and types of physical limitations. The walk in shower or bath is the most basic and standard and simple to operate. The shower or bath is taken in an upright position and there is no need to sit. This are already in-built in many homes. Then there are the walk-in bath tub. At first glance, this looks like a regular bath tub but on closer examination one realizes that there is a door cut on the side. That means there is no lifting of oneself, which was difficult for people with physical impairments.
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Benefits Of Walk In Tubs And Baths
The popularity of walk in tubs and baths is becoming more pronounced. There is nothing wrong with the current baths and tubs but has been noticed that there is a sizeable section of the population that has a problem using them. For instance, senior citizens who have rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatiod arthritis is a crippling condition where the cartliedge that holds the joints together begins to be inflamed causing painful swelling and even loss of ability to move the joint. It has not been accurately determined what causes this condition but its effects are nevertheless serious and real.Those who suffer from arthritis, even a mild form of it have acute difficulty even getting in and out of the regular bath tub. Any movement that they make is accompanied by excruciating pain. There are others who also find it difficult using a regular tub. These are those who are disabled and are bound to a wheelchair. People that are paralyzed from the waist downwards also find it extremely difficult to get in and out of a regular tub. So what are the benefits of a walk in tub and bath?
A walk-in tub and bath resembles regular bath tub only that it is equipped with a side-door that opens. So the person wishing to enter the walk-in tub enters much the same way as he or she would enter a car. Then he or she would sit inside the tub and close the door. Once shut the person can then turn on the water. The tub is air and water tight, meaning that once the water fills the tub, it cannot leak out via the hinges of the side door. Once inside the tub there is no difference with the regular bath tubs. Walk in tubs are made of regular porcelain, ceramic and sometimes even a coating of marble.
Walk in baths are also ideal especially for those who are care-givers in assisted-living facilities. In a nursing home or other assisted living facility, elderly people usually sick with arthritis, are waited on by nurses and others usually younger folk. Many of these elderly citizens cannot bath themselves much the less get into the tub on their own. This would necessitate them being physically carried by someone else who in some cases was even physically smaller in stature. Such as scenario can could potentially cause back injury to the care giver. The answer was a walk in tub and bath. The senior would then get into the tub and out without necessarily being carried.
In a regular tub, the process of getting in and out by lifting one leg could be dangerous especially to someone who has knee injury or back or hip injury. There was also the risk of stepping on a bar of soap and falling. There are may documented cases of these kinds of accidents in many homes especially where senior citizens live by themselves. The walk in tub is therefore a welcome convenience especially to those who are senior citizens plus it is cheap and easy to install.
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Installing A Walk In Tub And Bath
Many people love to relax in the comfort of the bath tub. That is why millions of dollars are spent every year in spa visits where people sign up for massages and aroma therapy bubble bath sessions. There are now many companies that cater to this spa-crazy generation with hundreds of different products such as soaps, lotions, perfumes and aroma therapy bubble bat solutions. But there are many more who instead of paying hundreds of dollar to get aroma therapy solutions at a local spa, they prefer to get into their own spa and save the money.
But there is a section of the population who experience great difficulty in getting in and out of a bath tub. This is because they have physical malladies such as paralysis, arthritis, sickness and other issues that cause them to be under the care of someone else or where they find it a challenge to lift themselves and get into the bath tub. These people have either to be carried into the bath tub and out again or there has to be specialized equipment that can lower them into the tab. Walk in tubs and baths are an answer to this.
Walk in tubs and baths are specially designs tubs that have a door on the site which resembles the concept of a motor vehicle. The people using the tub opens the door, gets inside and closes the door. Some newer tubs have a seat as well. Once inside the person can close the door and proceed to turn on the water. The curious thing about walk-in tubs and baths is that they are so airtight that they do not leak even at the hinges of the door. The walk in tubs also have strategically placed handles where the person using the tub can easily lift themselves out of the tub before stepping out. This is a wonderful convenience for people with disabilities or motion-limiting sicknesses.
In the past, it used to be that the caretaker had to lift the invalid into the tub and this could be strenuous especially where the person being carried is bigger than the one carrying them.
So how can you make the transition from a regular bath tub to the walk-in tub? In the US there are many stores which sell bath products and fixtures. Room stores and giant retail stores such as LOWES and Home Depot outfit bath tubs with excellent do-it-yourself installation guides. There are also excellent and friendly staff on standby and for an additional fee they can help you with installation if you do not want to mess around with the installation process.
You may also want to contact a handyman. In the US you can find competent handymen who deal with home improvement issues and can help you immensely for a fee. We recommend that you seek the services of a professional handyman if you want a perfect installation.
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