How A Handicap Bathtub Can Assist Your Elderly Family Members
Why would you want to make a handicap bath room? It has been said that more accidents occur in the bathroom than in any other part of the home, and this is true. Typically it is the elderly and the disabled that have the most difficulty in this area as simply getting in and out of the bathtub can be difficult for a person with limited mobility. The most important thing you can do is invest in a handicap accessible Walkin tub which unlike standard, traditional tubs, is easy to get in and out of. The following will provide you with more information on this, and other handicap bath room fixtures and accessories.
Probably the most well known and appreciated of all handicap bath room fixtures is the walk in bathtub. Unlike the traditional tub that features that high siding that you have to step over in order to get in, these tubs have a convenient door that you simply can open and walk right through. Even though these baths can be expensive, and come with their own set of minor inconveniences, you will be given peace of mind that you have greatly reduced your risk of falling and injuring yourself when bathing. Some tubs of this sort even come with a built in bath chair. Having a seat instead of having to lay down makes things a lot easier.
There are many other things that you can do besides purchase handicap bathtub fixtures. For one thing, you can make the doorway wheelchair accessible by having it widened. The standard door can also be replaced with a pocket door that takes up a lot less space and can be slid into the wall. This allows handicapped persons more room to maneuver.
Another thing that you can do to prevent falls in the bathroom is to have bathtub safety rails installed on the walls. These bars will give you or the handicapped person in your family something to hold onto which will greatly reduce the risk of falls. The most important places to have them installed are near the bathtub and toilet. The best part about these is that not only can they make your bathroom a lot safer, but they are not expensive at all. Even if you can’t afford an expensive bathtub, you can still have rails installed on your current one.
One final thing that you can do to create a handicap bath room is to simply remove so of the clutter. It’s not hard to imagine how things like trash bins, carpets, towels, and other things can get in the way and make it difficult for a person with mobility problems to move around safely. One simple alternative to a rug that can get in the way of a wheelchair is a slip-proof, skid resistant mat. When you follow these tips you can make your bathroom a lot safer.
