Walk-In Showers and Walk-In Tubs

When it comes to long term health, cleanliness is one of the most crucial factors in regard to staying healthy, however for individuals with disabilities and the aging population, the difficulty of using traditional showers and tubs can prove to be very challenging. Though it may seem inconsequential to step over the porcelain into the tub every day, these raised surfaces can provide a number of difficulties for individuals with limited mobility. Aging individuals and individuals who require the use of a mobile aid like a wheelchair especially can have trouble and require a lot of support to be able to use them safely.

A Walk-In bathing unit may be the solution to these problems. While the name is self-explanatory, the number of benefits that are provided by these units cannot be understated. Walk-In showers can be built to support wheelchairs, allowing individuals to be able to properly wash themselves without much assistance, furthering their own independence and raising their confidence. Walk-In bathtubs provide raised seating areas so that individuals can settle down without having to bend or crouch into uncomfortably low positions if they have limited mobility. 

Walk-In showers and walk-in tubs Tulsa promote greater independence.

For individuals with limited mobility and the elderly, it can be troubling and discouraging to wash oneself if they struggle with the task or fear the risk of potentially falling in the bathroom. Walk-In showers and tubs are designed with safety and accessibility in mind, allowing individuals to take showers and baths with confidence. This greater independence can lead to a much higher quality of life for individuals.

Walk-In Showers and Walk-In Tubs are both convenient to install.

Regardless of the choice of a Walk-In bathtub or a Walk-In shower, both devices typically can be installed within the existing space of an already installed bath or shower if an individual’s needs require a similar amount of space to an already existing bath or shower.

Walk-In Showers

Walk-In showers are modifications to an existing home to convert an existing bathing unit from a shower or bath to a Walk-In shower. Walk-In showers and walk-in tubs Tulsa have a lowered ledge of three inches or less, making it easily accessible for individuals with limited mobility or wheelchairs. Walk-In showers offer a variety of benefits over traditional showers and tubs, such as:

No-Slip Flooring

Falls are one of the most dangerous risks to individuals in the bathroom. According to the CDC, around 234,000 individuals aged fifteen and up visit the emergency room due to bathroom related falls and injuries. For the elderly, these falls are much more likely to lead to serious injuries, including hip fractures. Walk-In showers can provide No-slip flooring which can significantly reduce the risk of falling from a lack of slippery surfaces, allowing individuals to bathe themselves confidently without worry of injury.

Anti-Scald Shower Valves 

Anti-Scald Shower Valves are designed to prevent sudden temperature changes along with pressure regulation to assure that an individual remains comfortable throughout their entire shower. Temperature fluctuations can startle an individual and potentially injure them due to scalding water, or even cause a fall from an individual rushing to move away from a sudden temperature change. Anti-Scald shower valves regulate temperature through pressure, balancing out hot and cold water, to only allow a small variation of temperature, preventing these startling incidents.

Grab Bars

Grab bars are installable bars that can assist with balance and stability in the shower. For individuals who are older, have disabilities, or have less energy, grab bars can reduce fatigue while showering and serve as a tool to help navigate around more sizable showers safely while maintaining stability and balance.

Shower Seat

Shower seats can serve a significant purpose for individuals who struggle with standing for prolonged periods of time or individuals who have trouble crouching down. They allow for showers to be taken comfortably while reducing the strain on an individual’s body. Shower seats assist in maintaining balance and allowing for individuals to comfortably wash their body. They also serve as a convenient place for individuals to rest if they require assistance from a caregiver with bathing.

Walk-In showers can be structured in numerous ways depending on the individual’s needs and the accommodations that can be made in the home. From simple enclosures structured to neatly fit in a bathroom, to entire bathrooms redesigned as a wet room, allowing for a greater freedom of movement.

Walk-In Tubs

Walk-In tubs offer a similar level of benefits to Walk-In showers. They are accessible through a low ledge entry point, allowing easier access for individuals with limited mobility. Certain models are designed to be easily accessible for users with wheelchairs as well. They also contain no-slip flooring to ensure that an individual can safely enter and exit the tub without fear of falling. Grab bars and handles can also be fitted onto Walk-In tubs, with some even having them built in. These tubs typically come fitted with a seat as well to maintain comfort but come with other benefits for those who prefer to take baths. 

Walk-In Tubs can be both a bath and a shower

Though it is called a Walk-In tub, some units can also be used for showers as well as baths. Certain models of Walk-In showers and walk-in tubs Tulsa come equipped with either a hand shower, or a traditional showerhead. For individuals who may want a shower, they still have this option available to them but bathing in water can be an even more effective solution to hygiene than a shower for individuals who may have trouble with reaching parts of their body. Partial submersion in water can help to relax muscles and Walk-In tubs support a much greater depth than a traditional bathtub, ranging from 20 to 45 inches depending on a user’s needs. 

Immersion into water allows the body to decompress, relieving pressure on an individual. Warm baths have been shown shown to improve blood circulation, promote cardiovascular health, loosen stiff joints, offer relief from inflammation, reduce stress, and may help soothe skin even more than showers, particularly for individuals with skin conditions. The deeper immersion of a Walk-In tub can provide even greater benefits than a traditional bathtub.