Walk in shower tub combo are quickly becoming the new standard for bathroom remodels. They’re beautiful, user-friendly, and the preferred bathing solution for many aging adults and people with mobility issues. Fortunately, walk-in tubs aren’t as scary as their name suggests. These tubs don’t require you to venture inside a small cage to take a bath. Instead, they have wide entrances that resemble an ordinary shower stall—with one significant exception: You can enter these units from inside your bathroom without needing to step over any threshold or maneuverer around any awkward doorframes. The benefits of installing a walk-in tub extend far beyond just being able to get in and out of it more easily. Here’s why this upgrade is worth the cost and effort involved:
You’ll Have a Safer Showering Experience
Any type of injury or bodily harm can create a sudden barrier to quality of life. A slipped foot or knee injury, for example, can make climbing into a regular tub with stairs extremely difficult—not to mention somewhat terrifying for some people. Walk-in tubs offer a safer experience than regular tubs during both bathing and showering. They often have lower tubs, along with grab bars and other features that make it easier to lift and move around. Some even include seat features to make sitting down and standing back up easier for everyone. A safer experience also includes fewer slips and falls in the bathroom. This is a common problem among aging adults. In fact, falls are the number-one cause of death among people aged 65 and older.
You’ll Feel More Comfortable
If you have joint pain or other mobility issues, a regular tub can make bathing uncomfortable and awkward. You may find that you need a step stool to help you in and out of the tub, or that you can’t put your knees in the water because you’re too short. Walk-in tubs provide a more comfortable bathing experience for many people. You can sit while taking a bath, or even lie down if that’s more comfortable, since many units have built-in seats or other features that make it possible to do so. These tubs are often roomier than standard tubs, too. This can help you avoid feeling cramped or crunched for space when you’re taking a bath.
You Can Stay in Your Own Home Longer
For many people with mobility issues, staying in their own home is a priority. Unfortunately, this goal can be difficult to achieve if standard bathing accommodations aren’t suitable or manageable. If you have trouble getting into or out of a bathtub, or need a lot of assistance during your bath, it could be challenging to keep living in your own home. Walk-in tubs help you stay in your home longer by providing better bathing accommodations. You can install these units on your existing bathroom floor without needing to make any major structural changes. This gives you the option to stay in your home throughout your healing process instead of having to relocate to an assisted living facility or other type of care facility.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
Walk-in tubs can help conserve precious water resources. Many traditional bathtubs require as much as 30 gallons of water per bath, depending on the temperature and length of your bath. This is a significant amount of water to use at one time, especially if you have to fill the tub a couple of times a week. Walk-in tubs have low-flow faucets, so you can use less water during your bath. Some even have built-in water-saving devices, like a water-level sensor that turns off the water when the tub is full. This can make a dramatic difference in terms of water consumption. It can also help protect the environment by reducing wastewater runoff and the amount of energy needed to treat and recycle wastewater.
Walk-in Tubs Are Incredibly Easy to Use
Traditional tubs may seem old-fashioned, but they are actually a relatively modern invention. Bathtubs were relatively uncommon up until the late 19th century. Before that time, most people preferred to take baths in a variety of other containers. These included cauldrons, pots, wooden barrels, and even giant pots that could hold up to 50 gallons of water at a time. These containers were primarily used for cleaning and bathing at hospitals, schools, and other institutions. They were not very common for private homes until the mid-1900s, when bathtubs with built-in taps became more popular. As such, many people who grew up with these types of bathtubs don’t understand the benefits of a walk-in tub.
Conclusion
Walk in shower tub combo are quickly becoming the new standard for bathroom remodels. They’re beautiful, user-friendly, and the preferred bathing solution for many aging adults and people with mobility issues. Walk-in tubs provide a safer experience, a more comfortable bathing experience, and an easier way to stay in your own home longer. They are also environmentally friendly and incredibly easy to use. Many people with limited mobility or joint pain swear by walk-in tubs. If you have a hard time bathing in a traditional tub, you may also want to consider installing a walk-in tub.