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A bathtub may seem like a luxury item, but for people with mobility issues, chronic pain conditions, difficulty balancing, or other physical disabilities, a bathtub can be a useful tool in restoring some independence and privacy in the bathroom.
REVIEWED AND APPROVED
The Kohler Walk-in Bath is a great choice for anyone looking for independence and style in their bathroom. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend Ariel Bath Soaker Tubs.
Like many other home plumbing aids and fixtures, though, a small bathtub can be an investment—there are so many features to consider, some essential and some not, that it can be hard to know what you need.
Wellness design consultant Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC, author of Wellness by Design: A Room-by-Room Guide to Optimizing Your Home for Health, Fitness, and Happiness, notes that the most important features in Which The bathroom for someone with mobility problems includes a wide stool or stool, a portable shower head, and even a bidet to make personal hygiene as simple as possible. We’ve researched and reviewed dozens of pools based on safety features, materials, size, tank capacity, and price.
These are the best bathtubs on the market today.
Final verdict
The Kohler Walk-in Bath has nearly everything you want or need in a portable bathtub: a low entrance, handheld showerheads, massage jets, all required safety features, and a heated backrest. Anyone looking for a Jacuzzi-style bathing experience might want to consider Ella’s Bubbles Deluxe Walk-In bathtub.
How did we choose
When choosing bathtubs, we spoke with naturopaths and spent hours combing the web for the best and most effective products. After considering all of our options, we’ve decided which feature to offer based on a few key criteria as recommended by experts: safety features, materials, added features, and tank size.
Once we’ve narrowed down our options, we’ve compared the benefits of each tub to its price tag. While some of the options on our list may be more expensive, we wanted to offer a wide range of options to suit all needs and budgets. Based on all these factors, we have compiled a list of the best bathtubs.
What do you look for in a walk in ponds
fast drain
Because of the structure of most bathtubs, users usually need to stay inside the tub until it drains completely. But depending on the capacity of your model, this may take some time. This can be a safety hazard – if your model does not allow you to open the aquarium door until all the water has drained – and a body temperature hazard.
“Quick filling and draining technologies work quickly to keep you from getting cold, [which is] “It’s good for people with circulation problems who have trouble keeping warm,” says Dr. Prestipino.
Find a tub that meets your needs, whether it makes you feel warm longer or allows you to get out quickly.
Key Security Features
While a bathtub can help people with movement and balance problems regain some independence and have a positive bathing experience, it also poses many safety risks if it is not built and used properly. Whatever model or style you choose, Dr. Pristetino points out some features that you should be sure to include for maximum safety:
- Non-slip surfaces to reduce accidents of slips and falls on the sink or wet floor.
- Low entry threshold to avoid leg lifting or tripping over entrance.
- Safety bars on the left and right sides to accommodate all users who need extra support and balance when getting in and out of the tub.
- Anti-scald technology to reduce the chance of changing water temperature dramatically – or dangerously.
Portable shower head
If you have mobility or balance problems, Dr. Prestipino recommends making sure your bathtub is fitted with a handheld showerhead. This is as much an issue of safety as it is of convenience and comfort.
“Most large bathtubs feature handheld shower heads to make it easier for people who have difficulty standing up to bathe,” she explains. “A person can remain safely seated for bathing, [which is] Best for people with balance issues.”
hot surfaces
This may sound like a luxury feature, but since it can take a long time for bathtubs to fill up – and many people who use them suffer from joint pain – having hot surfaces may actually be a concern for some users.
“Heated seats [and backrests] It’s best if you have a long bathtub that takes a while to fill, says Dr. Prestipino. People with arthritis or lower back pain can benefit from heat and [may need to keep] warmer in their body temperature.”
door style
The door in the bathtub will swing either inward, toward the tub, or outward. There are pros and cons to both, so this is a personal choice that you should consider based on your individual needs.
Interior opening doors require less bathroom space, are easier to close and can help reduce leaks, [but] “They require that the pelvis be drained before the person exits the pelvis,” Dr. Pressetino explains.
By contrast, she says, someone in a wheelchair may find it easier to use a tub with an outward-opening door because that makes it easier to move them into the tub seat; It also makes it easier to get out of the tub, especially in an emergency because you don’t have to let the entire tub drain before you can open the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will Medicare Pay for the Bathtub?Usually, Medicare will not pay for a bathtub. Dr. Prestipino says that in order for the cost of the item to be covered by Medicare, it must be considered permanent medical equipment, or DME; These items should be considered as medical essentials and prescribed by a doctor for use at home.
Dr. Prestipino explains, “DME is always covered for patients with permanent disabilities, but regular bathtubs are not considered DME by Medicare… [so] Medicare will not pay for the bathtub and will not contribute to the cost of installation.”
In some rare cases, Dr. Prestipino says Medicare may consider reimbursing a patient for the cost of a bathtub, but only if your doctor determines it’s a true medical necessity and provides evidence of your diagnosis and proof of the need for that particular item.
“There is still no guarantee that Medicare will cover the costs [and] If this situation happens, there will be no prepayment by Medicare,” Dr. Prestipino warns, “only [possibility of] Payment after purchase and installation.
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Can you add a large bathtub to your existing shower set?Not usually. It’s not impossible, but the effort can actually be more difficult than embracing a complete renovation.
“Tubs and showers usually have drains in different locations, so it’s not an easy switch up,” says Gould. “There are companies that specialize in replacing bathtubs, particularly in primary bathrooms, [but] I haven’t found anything that does the opposite.”
This doesn’t mean that these companies don’t exist, Gold adds, or that they can’t be done at all, but that it would be much more difficult to find someone to make a bathtub-to-bathtub swap. Once again, finding a contractor to do a highly customized project may end up being more expensive than simply undergoing the standard renovations required to install a bathtub elsewhere.
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What types of medical conditions could benefit the most from a shower room?There are three basic categories of conditions that a bathtub installation can help: chronic pain conditions and mobility or balance conditions.
Soaking in any type of tub is a form of hydrotherapy, says Gold, and can benefit many conditions, including arthritis, joint and muscle pain, and [stress-related pain]. ”
People with diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, nerve disorders, sleep disturbances, and permanent injuries may also benefit from hydrotherapy. For other cases, people with mobility issues may have concerns about standing in the bathroom or getting in and out of a regular tub, so a walking unit can help them feel more confident about bathing themselves.
Why trust Verywell Health
Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017 – everything from regular product reviews and disease FAQs to nutrition illustrations and diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy, expert-approved advice on over-the-counter products that address everyday health conditions, from digestive issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.