A Look at Handicap Bathtubs

If you were not aware of what a handicap bathtub is, this should remedy that situation. When you are a person with physical disabilities or are suffering an injury or illness that severely limits your mobility, taking a bath in a regular tub is often difficult and uncomfortable as well as dangerous in many cases. For this reason, specially designed handicap bathtubs exist to make the process of getting in, taking and getting out of the bath a more comfortable, safe and dignified process. This article takes a look at the handicap bathtub, how it is designed and how it is used as well as the advantages and disadvantages they provide to their users.

Of course, the current design of handicap bath tub is by no means the perfect solution to the several problems encountered by the physically impaired when taking a bath, as everyone will naturally have different physical needs according to the extent of their own disability. Having said that, at least this type of bath tub design provides the means for taking a bath in a dignified, safe and relatively comfortable manner, which is something that a regular bath cannot.

How Do Handicap Bathtubs Work?

There are several variations on the main design theme of handicap bathtubs, but the predominant and common style is the kind that allows the user to take advantage of the ability to completely submerge in the water in a similar way to a person taking a bath in a regular tub, but without the obvious dangers associated with it. The handicap bathtub is generally much taller than a regular tub with high sides and a waterproof door that can be swung open to allow the bather to enter without the need to climb over anything. Once inside and safely sitting on the built in seat, the bather then seals the door shut before filling the tub with water. This, as you can see means the bather takes the bath in a sitting position on a raised seat rather than a sitting on the floor of a regular tub. This makes it easier to get in and out. It also means that where often a person's disability would prohibit them from sitting and rising from the floor of a regular tub, they can transfer to and from a wheelchair without altering their body posture,

This is also very different from taking a shower in a handicap shower stall, where although the user is still using a seat onto which they can transfer from a wheelchair, a tub allows them to totally submerge where a shower of course only allows then to have water running over them.

It's also worth knowing that the watertight door of the tub is fitted with a secure latch to ensure that none of the bath water is able to leak out while the tub is full with water. When finished, the bather simply drains the water completely before getting out.

With this design of tub, the risk of slipping while the bather is getting in or out is greatly reduced, as would occur when balancing to climb over the side of a regular tub. Also, any potentially slippery surfaces are negated by the addition of non-slip surfaces.

A handicapped bath is ideal for the elderly, those with degenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, arthritics, those with back or spinal injuries and wheelchair users.

Benefits of Handicap Bathtubs

The major benefit that comes from using a handicap bathtub as opposed to a regular bathtub is the safety factor. The simple act of moving through an open door and not needing to climb over anything is a great benefit. For anyone with balance problems or weaknesses that would make climbing over the side of a regular bath a major chore, the high sided and doored design is perfect.

The handicapped bath also has a great benefit over a handicap shower stall in that the bather can completely submerge in warm water, which in itself is a very therapeutic pastime. It is well known that submerging in warm water can bring relief from joint pain while also relaxing tense or stiff muscles. Similarly, taking a warm bath is a great reliever of stress, which is of great importance for those that suffer from debilitating medical conditions.

Precautions to Observe

While using a handicap bath is far safer and has many obvious benefits over a regular bath, there are still some precautions that must be observed when using one. These are set out as follows:

A handicap bathtub is an enormous benefit to anyone otherwise unable to use a regular type of bath in safety while unsupervised or unaided. They provide freedom from the reliance on a helper and also provide a much safer, more comfortable and, most importantly, dignified means to enjoy a relaxing, soothing bath, making handicap bathtubs a real benefit to those who would get the most use from them.

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