To those with limited mobility, standard showers and bathtubs can be difficult and unsafe to use. This can make the once simple task of bathing frustrating and complicated. Frequently, showers don't have the anti-slip protection and grab bars that are needed, or a seating area that can make the task easier. Walk in bathtubs, however, have all this and more, contributing to both safety and relaxation.

To those with limited mobility, standard showers and bathtubs can be difficult and unsafe to use. This can make the once simple task of bathing frustrating and complicated. Frequently, showers don't have the anti-slip protection and grab bars that are needed, or a seating area that can make the task easier. Walk in bathtubs, however, have all this and more, contributing to both safety and relaxation.

Increasingly, manufacturers are producing walk-in bathtubs with safety features that traditional showers miss. These easy to install, handicap accessible tubs include height-adjustable, easy-to-use faucets and shower heads and strategically located grab bars as well as many other amenities that can enhance comfort, safety and ease of bathing.

While handicap accessible showers feature a very low threshold or are even level with the floor for the ultimate accessibility, walk in tubs offer the flexibility of either taking a shower or enjoying a nice soak in warm water without worrying about how you will get in and out of the bath. Having the option for a bath is not just a luxury - soaking is therapeutic, easing bodily aches and pains. These baths usually come with a shower head that can be either hand-held or wall mounted and can be adjusted to the exact height for your needs.

An astonishing variety of walk in bathtubs are available on the market today. What they all hold in common is some kind of inward or outward opening door in the side of the tub. This allows for a low threshold that is far safer and easier to step into than in traditional baths. Outward opening doors are considered to be safer in some cases, as the door can be opened even when the tub is full in case of an emergency. However, inward-opening doors are advantageous because they are "self sealing" due to the pressure of the water on them when the bath is full, and they also require less room.

"Sit-in" tubs are typically the most popular models, offering a chair-height seat that is easy to get in and out of. These are convenient and excellent for both bathing and showering. However, some other models provide powered seats that can lower and lift you safely and easily in and out of a traditional height bath. This allows for a full-length bathing experience without the worry of slipping and falling. In addition to anti-slip surfaces and convenient grab bars for added safety, many tubs offer hydrotherapy jets as an option. Hydrotherapy is very therapeutic, aiding further in soothing aching joints and sore muscles.

Many different sizes and types of handicap accessible tubs are available to accommodate your needs and lifestyle. Short models are designed for various hard to fit places, including many that are specifically made to fit into the same space as a traditional shower stall. Long tubs are similar in size to traditional baths, allowing for more room to relax and enjoy a soak.

Unlike traditional tubs, walk-in models require you to be inside the tub both as it fills and as it drains. This necessitates several special features, the most important of which is a thermostatic mixer. This regulator ensures that all water comes out of the faucet at just the right temperature for your comfort and your safety. Some models have quick filling features as well. Another major issue is how quickly the tub empties. Seniors could catch a chill from sitting for several minutes in cool water as they wait for the tub to drain. Dual drain systems, or even a pump that can drain the tub in less than a minute, are options that some models offer to solve this problem.

Whether you mostly prefer showers with just the occasional bath, or you'd like to be able to soak in the tub every day, walk in bathtubs make your life easy by offering the ultimate in safety and in comfort.