Walk In Baths Aid Physical Disabilities

Posted on April 17, 2008
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by Catherine Harvey
Everybody yearns for independence these days. We all look towards that day when we feel truly grown up and can look after ourselves in a productive way that does not necessarily mean relying on someone else.

This is not so easy for those that are less physically able, but still does not detract from that need. Manufacturers have seen the potential in this market and aids for the disabled have come on leaps and bounds in recent years.

One of those aids is the walk in bath. Bathing was something the disabled missed out on for many years as getting themselves in and out of a bath proved difficult with limited movement. My own grandmother gave up on this source of relaxation because she felt it impossible to manoeuvre herself in and out and had too much pride to accept help.

Disabled people who were unable to get into a bath often had showers installed and while this does the necessary, it doesn’t have the many benefits that are associated with a good long soak. Bathing has long been renowned for its health advantages. The Romans were very fond of this type of relaxation and their whole social scene revolved around going to the public baths.

All manner of lotions and potions have been hailed as the new thing in skin care. Added to baths, they can rehydrate skin, rid it of dead cells, rejuvenate it, everything short of re-growing limbs has been attributed to skin care products that you put in the bath.

Hydro therapy is a recognised programme that assists physical well-being. It can be used for recovery from sports injuries, for age related illnesses such as osteoarthritis or for general aches and pains. You don’t hear many weary people at eh end of the day look forward to a nice relaxing all over wash, it’s always a long soak in the bath that is the order of the day.

Disabled people have missed out on this luxury in the past. But now there is the advent of walk in baths and they no longer have to go without. Walk in baths now come with inward opening doors, low level steps and adjustable seat heights that suit people of all disabilities. Many worry about the idea of filling a bath with water when it has an opening door in it.

This is not a problem. The water tightness of these doors is not only proved to be excellent but also becomes more effective with the pressure of the water. These walk in baths never take up more space than an average bath so can be installed in your usual bathroom. They can be used as a conventional bath with a full length version and also come with shower attachments, so all members of a family can use them.

There are also versions of walk in baths that take up very little space. These can be fitted into shower rooms or even into the corner of a bedroom. The user is seated upright in a deep bath that comes with a double drainage system. This is to make sure the bath drains quickly, thus leaving less time for the user to get cold.

So, the disabled person can now use a walk in bath to make sure he or she doesn’t lose out on any of the health benefits of water therapy or to simply enjoy that end of the day soak.

Health expert Catherine Harvey looks at the use of walk in baths for less able bodied people.