Are walk-in tubs good for seniors?

We’ve compiled our top picks by evaluating more than 28+ walk-in tub reviews. We have also listed out comparisons of each product to make things a bit more clear for you to show you exactly what’s out there.

We have a team of editors who research, test, and recommend the best product. Also note that, although product testing has been done with few models, it is not possible to do product testing for a variety of models that we have listed here. We only tested accessible models which were highly praised and rated amongst the others. Walk in tubs for seniors are very essential for seniors.

 

Pros of Walk in Tubs

A walk-in tub is a bathtub with a watertight door that allows the bather to enter the tub safely over a low threshold. The door closes, the tub fills with water, and the individual opens the door and steps out securely after draining the bath.

While many versions are taller than they are wide, there are a variety of types and configurations to suit nearly any consumer and housing circumstance. For example, walk-in tubs, also known as slide through tubs, open virtually the whole front of the tub to provide the necessary width for simple transfer from a wheelchair to the tub seat.

 

Comfort of walk in tubs

Pros

Water Depth is a plus

When compared to standard tubs, walk-in tubs give a deeper water depth because there is no need to step over a tall wall. A conventional bathtub has a depth of 13 to 14 inches, however walk-in tubs can have a water depth of nearly four feet for a comfortable immersion experience while seated safely.

Seats are typically 17 inches high, leaving nearly 20 inches of depth to immerse the torso, which is well within the average adult torso length. Hydrotherapy jets and other luxury features like chemotherapy lighting and heated chairs are offered on many walk-in tub types.

Cons

Time to fill and drain is a disadvantage.

You can't add or drain water when the door is open in a walk-in tub because it's built into the side of the tub. This means you'll spend a lot of time in the tub while waiting for it to fill up, as well as time waiting for it to empty before you can get out.

Filling or draining a tub can take up to 15 minutes, however some high-end models have amenities that help speed up the process. Even with rapid fill and drain options, walk-in tubs can take up to eight minutes to fill or drain, which leaves a large amount of time for the body to be exposed to air and become chilly.

Walk in Tubs Safety

Pros

A lot of the remodeling for ageing in place is focused on safety, specifically reducing falls. Every year, more than one-third of seniors over the age of 65 fall, with over 80% of those falls occurring in the restroom. In general, walk-in tubs have a number of elements that help to prevent falls. Built-in handrails, an ADA-compliant overall design, non-slip flooring, contoured built-in seats, and a low entry step height are all common features.
Some types have large doors that make it easier for wheelchair users to transfer to the tub seat without assistance. A scald protection valve, which is designed to avoid hot water burns, is another safety element, however it is unrelated to falls.

Cons

Temperature is another issue with a walk-in tub. You won't be able to regulate the water and get it just right before exposing your body to the water because you must enter the tub before filling it. Furthermore, because you must sit in the tub as it fills, it is quite easy to acclimate to harmful temperatures as the water gradually rises. As a result, any tub you choose should come with a scald protection valve, which is designed to prevent dangerously hot water from entering the tub. Even so, it may take a few uncomfortably long minutes to get the water temperature in the tub to a comfortable level as it fills.

Walk In Tubs for Bathing

Pros

Hydrotherapy is a beneficial treatment.

Warm water has long been recognized to help elders with aches and pains and expedite the healing of ailments such as burns and ulcers. Patients healing from amputations or dealing with illnesses like arthritis may benefit from hydrotherapy. Many step-in tubs contain hydrotherapy jets similar to those found in an outdoor hot tub, in addition to being able to relax in deeper warm water. Several warm water and air jets agitate the water and massage the muscles even more.

Cons

There is a risk of becoming chilly because of the time it takes to fill and empty a walk-in tub. Our skin thins and our circulation slows as we become older, making us less able to conserve body heat and respond to cold conditions. These variables, when combined with medical disorders like diabetes, can render elders more vulnerable to hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when the internal body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can strike seniors even in temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as might be observed in a home in the fall. Even in milder air temperatures, hypothermia is a genuine danger when wet skin is present as a tub drains. Although heated seats can be beneficial, they do not treat the upper body. Reduce the danger of cooling by drying off with a towel as the tub empties and covering the upper chest with a dry towel or robe.

Conclusion

Anyone with limited mobility who wants to make bathing safer, more pleasant, and therapeutic should consider a walk-in tub. There are, however, some drawbacks. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing a walk-in tub to see if it's appropriate for you.