Guide to Buying an Accessible Bathtub

Accessible bathtubs are specially designed for handicapped or disabled persons who can use them for comfort and safety during bathing. Also called handicap bathtubs, these products offer a lot of convenience and come with many special features, which provide balance, stability, and ease of use. If you are considering modifying your bathroom to accommodate a person who has limited mobility due to a disability or old age, an accessible bathtub is a useful addition to your bathroom.

There are many safety features that are typically incorporated into handicap bathtub designs. Depending on the degree of mobility the users have, the specific disabilities they suffer from and the special conveniences they will need, you can choose a bathtub that comes with the right specifications. Taking a physician's advice can help you find a bathtub with the appropriate accessories and features to derive maximum benefit from the product.

Here are a few ideas that will help you choose the right accessible bathtub.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is often recommended by experts as a means of achieving relief from pain or discomfort. People suffering from arthritis, varicose veins, tissue degeneration, and even those recovering from strokes can benefit from hydrotherapy. Many handicap bathtubs come with water jets and pressure nozzles to give the user the benefits of a water massage. Patients who have been recommended hydrotherapy can get water jets fixed at correct locations to target specific body parts.

Convenience

For added convenience during showers, you can opt for a handicap bathtub with a built-in seating facility. Make sure that there are grab bars for the users to hold on to while raising themselves out of the seat.

Accessibility

Handicap bathtubs are specially designed for maximum accessibility to the user. They come with a door, which flips inwards or outwards, and when it is closed, it seals tight to prevent any leakage of water. Inward opening doors seal more effectively because of the added water pressure inside the tub, but it may be difficult to gain access into the tub in an emergency when the tub is full. Before you buy an outward opening tub, make sure it has a good mechanism to make it leak proof.

Easily reachable faucets

Faucets should be within easy reach of the users when they are sitting down in the tub. This will reduce the amount of effort involved in operating the shower. It is also a good idea to use a long hose that will enable the user to clean hard to reach body parts, like the back, without stretching.

Non-skid flooring

The surface of the bathtub must be lined with non-skid flooring, as risks of slipping are high when this area is wet. Slips on wet floor are the most common reason for bathroom accidents. Non-skid flooring will ensure better grip on the floor and avert such accidents.

Handicap bathtubs are the prefect solution for homes with elderly or disabled members. These tubs make bathing a comfortable, and more importantly, a safe experience.

For more information on a handicap bathtub or accessible bathtub contact an accessibility expert at BarrierFree.org