Walk-in
bathtubs have been available in America for a couple of decades, but vendors
are now targeting our growing senior population. These tubs have a door in the side that opens so bathers can
walk into the tub without climbing over a tub rim, and most of them include a
seat that allows bathers to sit above floor level. They offer a home-spa experience that can be the perfect
prescription for people Aging In Place with poor circulation, aching limbs and
stiff muscles and joints. They can
provide a safe, relaxing bath for seniors but purchasing one requires a careful
look at its operation, installation, materials, dimensions, door, seat, jets,
controls, grab bars, maintenance, warranty and price.
Operation
– Bathers open the hinged door in the tub wall, walk into the tub, close and
seal the door, sit down on the seat and wait as the tub fills with water. When finished, the bather must drain
the tub before opening the door to walk out. Manufacturers offer optional quick-fill faucets and
second drains to reduce the time it takes to fill and drain these tubs, but
bathers will still find themselves wet and waiting for two to ten minutes while
the water reaches the desired level or drains out. Heat lamps are recommended in bathrooms where bathers might
get chilled as they wait for the intended water level.
Installation
– Installers need plumbing, electrical and carpentry expertise. Representatives of the company selling
the tub or a general contractor will provide the best installation. The house,
doorway widths and bathroom location require evaluation to be sure the tub can
be maneuvered through the house into the bathroom. An existing bathtub will need to be removed and plumbing and
electrical wiring may need modification.
The bathroom floor also needs to be examined for its load-bearing
capacity because it may need reinforcement, especially if it is not on a
concrete slab. A large tub
filled with water and a bather can weight up to 2000 pounds, which exceeds the
building code for floor loads in most communities.
Materials
– Most walk-in bathtubs are made of molded resin containing glass fibers, often
called “fiberglass”, and a coating of acrylic or gelcoat. Both surface coatings can crack,
scratch and chip and they require non-abrasive cleaners for maintenance. Gelcoat is usually the more durable and
expensive surface. Other surface
features, like a matte or low-gloss finish and a slip-resistant floor and seat,
are also important for aging eyes and safe use. Metal parts like jets, fasteners or door hinges and handles
will resist rust best if they are made of stainless steel.
Dimensions
– Walk-in tubs are available in a variety of dimensions and
configurations. Gaps between the
tub and bathroom walls are usually filled in with extensions to the surrounding
deck, which are an optional accessory.
Most models typically fit in the same space as a bathtub, 60 by 30 to 36
inches. Large models 60 by 42
inches add a touch of luxury to larger bathrooms. Tub depths from the floor can range from 19 to 47 inches,
but the distance from the seat to the manufacturer’s recommended maximum water
level is most important for comfortable soaking and it usually requires buyers
to do the math. Subtracting the
seat height from the maximum water level, which is not the same as the tub
depth or top of the rim, determines the depth of water available to cover a
bather’s torso. This distance
between the water level and the seat typically ranges around 13 to 17 inches,
which is insufficient to completely submerge a bather’s upper body.
Door –
The door in the side of a walk-in bathtub has several features that govern how
well the tub functions. Door swing
options usually include out swinging or in swinging and left handed or right
handed. Doors that swing outside
of the tub require clearance space in the bathroom, but they are preferable to
inward sweeping doors that obstruct access to the seat and cannot be opened
against the weight of the water in an emergency. Whether the door opens to the left or right is determined by
personal preferences and where there is adequate space for the door to
open. Some models have a door
almost the length of the tub that rolls down into the frame when opened and up
for bathing, which provides full access to the tub interior and saves the space
required by a swinging door. Click
on the link below to see an example of the Arjo Freedom Bath with a roll door.
Door
dimensions and shape affect how easy it is to enter, use and exit the tub. Bathers with mobility equipment,
limited motion or an assistant usually require a wide opening. The door opening should provide easy
access to the side of the seat so less agile bathers can slide onto the seat as
they enter. Tapered doors that are
wide at the top and narrower or rounded at the bottom reduce the clearances at
the points for sitting and stepping in, precisely where they are needed
most.
Door
thresholds on some walk-in bathtubs require bathers to lift their feet 8
inches, which is higher than most stair steps. Others with lower thresholds still require good balance,
agile legs and steady footwork to navigate. Some retailers provide narrow, sloped ramps to aid bathers
climbing up to the raised threshold.
The
gaskets lining the door are the only protection against a flooded
bathroom. They should be quick, easy
and inexpensive to repair or replace if they leak. These watertight door seals have failed in some models
requiring the removal or replacement of the entire tub.
Doors
that are easy to open, close and secure are most convenient for people with
arthritis, tremors and other conditions common to seniors. Latches with large lever handles and
minimal resistance are easiest to operate.
Seat –
The distance between the seat height and the manufacturer’s recommended maximum
water level, not the rim, determines the depth of the water available for upper
body soaking. Seat backrests
18-inches high that recline no more than 5 degrees provide a good combination
of comfort and back support. Level
or gently sloping seats help bathers with weak leg muscles to sit and stand
up. Seats are easiest on older
knees and hips if they are knee high or approximately 16 to 20 inches from the
floor. For comfort and security,
the seat should be between 15 and 20 inches deep. Folding seats that drop down inside the tub provide more
maneuvering room when they are folded up making them especially useful in tubs
with doors that swing inward. They
also allow bathers to sit on the seat or tub floor when the seat is up and they
increase the space available for showering. Folding seats have space underneath the seat for bathers to
firmly plant their feet for stability while sitting and standing. Whether the seat folds down or is
molded into the bathtub, it will be most convenient to sit on if the seat edge
is within reach of the door opening. (See picture above) A seat color that
contrasts with the rest of the tub, especially the floor, is more visible in
steamy rooms, dim light or with eyeglasses removed.
Grab
bars – Expect at least one built-in diagonal bar for support while sitting down
or rising from the seat. Other
locations where grab bars might be handy include the walls and deck area around
the bathtub rim. Most of the “hand
holds” or “grab rails” provided by walk-in bathtub manufacturers do not meet
the design, location and safety specifications of grab bars, so installing them
to meet your own functional and aesthetic preferences is a better option.
Jets –
Water agitation in walk-in bathtubs is provided by air or water jets or a
combination of both. Jets with
water flow adjustments allow bathers to determine how vigorously the water
moves and set the water circulation for a deep massage or a gentle soak. Jets with individual water direction
adjustments help avoid overstimulation of tender areas to ensure that the
hydrotherapy experience is comfortable and soothing. The motion of these jets causes the heat in the water to
dissipate quickly so an in-line water heater that keeps the temperature
constant is an accessory worth considering. Consistent water temperature is especially important for
ill, injured and elderly bathers who may have difficulty regulating their body
heat and those with compromised skin sensitivity.
Controls
– Jet controls are easiest to use if they are uncomplicated to operate and have
highly visible, large contrasting numbers and settings. Controls for jets, faucets, diverter
valves and drains should be located where they do not interfere with access to
the door or bathing activities.
They also need to be within reach of seated bathers and from outside of
the tub. Faucets controlled by a
single lever are easier for people with reduced gripping strength or limited
finger dexterity to use than separate rotating controls for hot and cold water. If separate rotating controls are the
only available option, look for long blade handles, which take less effort to
grasp and twist. Pressure-balanced
and thermostatically controlled fill valves prevent fluctuations in water flow
and temperature that could shock, injure or scald bathers. Recessed or low profile controls, faucets
and retractable showerheads are less likely to stick out and snag clothing or
contact body parts.
Maintenance
– Walk-in bathtubs require more maintenance than non-jetted bathtubs and about
the same as other jetted or whirlpool baths. A removable panel on the side of most tubs allows access for
servicing mechanical parts, which are usually located under the seat. The panel should be easy to remove and
located within reach without bending and stooping. Pipes can harbor bacteria and pathogens that accumulate from
standing water, soaps and oils that remains in the pipes when the tub is not in
use. Some manufacturers recommend
using a diluted bleach solution to remove bacteria growth in the pipes, others
have developed pipeless bathtubs.
Manufacturers may also recommend cleaning tub surfaces with plain water
and applying a paste wax to keep them clean.
Warranty
– Most walk-in bathtubs have one or more warranties. Some are for a lifetime to
the original owner. Others are for
a specific time length with extended warranties available for purchase. Many companies advertising walk-in tubs
for seniors are not the manufacturer, so it is important to determine the
source, length and coverage of the warranty. Statements like, “We provide a lifetime warranty to the
original owner. Parts warranted by
others.” raise questions about the manufacturer and warranty on each
component. Bathtubs manufactured
outside of North America must be retrofitted to meet U.S. manufacturing
standards and plumbing and electrical codes. Finding replacement parts for these tubs could be
difficult. Many of the companies
advertising walk-in bathtubs today are new businesses or they lack a long-term
history in America. Lifetime
warranties are useless if the company is not around when your tub needs
attention. Look for familiar
brand-name pluming fixture manufactures that are most likely to be in business
to honor warranties and provide replacement parts when you need them.
Price –
Expect to pay slightly under $5,000 up to $10,000 for a good walk-in bathtub
depending upon its size and features.
Accessories like an in-line heater, extra jets, deck extensions,
chromatherapy lighting, aromatherapy, ozonators and inflatable neck pillows
will increase the purchase price.
Installation costs are additional and depending upon your location,
installer, house structure, bathroom configuration and other variables they can
add an additional $10,000 to the total.
Individuals who purchase a tub as a medical device and have a doctor’s
prescription may be eligible for a medical tax deduction.
Alternatives
– Curbless showers are the universal solution to a lifetime of bathing
independence and safety. Households with bathtubs as a secondary bathing option
might consider a tub with features similar to walk-in bathtubs, which have been
used successfully for decades in hospitals and therapeutic settings. Some of them have been adapted for
residential styling and use. Other
options are soaking tubs and standard or jetted bathtubs that are elevated to a
comfortable seating height and installed with a wide seating platform so
bathers can sit on the edge of the tub, rotate their legs into the tub and sit
on either a seat or the tub floor.
Bathtubs with built-in seat lifts and those that work with portable
lifts are other alternatives.
Walk-in
bathtub advertising depicts a soothing home spa experience providing relief
from aging joints, back pain and arthritis. The walk-in door and raised seat make them especially
attractive to safety-seeking seniors.
Only a few of the models approach the accessibility levels necessary for
bathers who use mobility devices like walkers, wheelchairs or scooters. Ultimate satisfaction with walk-in
bathtubs depends upon an informed consumer personally testing and inspecting different
models in a showroom and having confidence in the manufacturers, installers and
service representatives of these bathtubs.
|
