Getting in and out of the bathtub used to be a simple activity that we performed effortlessly daily. But as we age, even this simple chore can get more challenging to accomplish. Limited mobility and the ageing process shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying nice warm baths after a long day. Walk-in tubs offer an alternative solution that allows seniors and individuals with mobility issues to access and use bathtubs easily.
Apart from its excellent accessibility feature, it also has other unique features which make it a worthwhile investment.
Enhanced Comfort While Bathing
Watertight doors that typically come with walk-in baths can be swung either in or out for added convenience. They are also outfitted with built-in seats, so users can enjoy bathing while sitting down in a comfortable position. For wheelchair users, there are roll-in showers that double as bathtubs, too. Additional features integrated into a walk-in tub set-up include whirlpool jets, chromotherapy lights, safety grab bars, seat cushions, head pillows, lap and shoulder belts, and fast fill and drain features.
Secondary Benefits Of Warm Baths
While accessibility is the major selling point, this modified bathroom fixture has secondary benefits, too. Users living with arthritis, poor circulation, and anxiety feel better when bathing or showering. According to recent studies, warm baths help reduce high blood sugar levels and boost cardiovascular health.
- Soothes arthritic pain – Regular warm baths have been proven to reduce pain intensity during arthritic attacks. In addition, individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic low back pain benefit from using walk-in tubs for warm water therapy.
- Improves cardiovascular health – Recent studies reveal that warm baths may also contribute to improving cardiovascular health. Regardless of age or medical condition, a warm bath is not only soothing but can also lower blood pressure, promote blood vessel relaxation, and reduce arterial stiffness.
- Reduces blood sugar levels – Walk-in baths are becoming increasingly popular among seniors with type 2 diabetes. Based on recent studies, researchers have found that people with type 2 diabetes who take regular warm baths exhibited a reduction in peak blood sugar levels by as much as 10%. Additionally, the same group of people with type 2 diabetes experienced increased energy expenditure up to 80% and enhanced calorie-burning capacity by as much as 126 calories per hour. Combined with a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, a warm bath can reduce blood sugar levels resulting in an improvement in the overall condition of type 2 diabetics.
- Relieves anxiety and reduces stress – It is common knowledge that a warm bath can help people feel more relaxed, less anxious, and less stressed. Walk-in baths can be integrated with chromotherapy lights to enhance the relaxing benefits of bathing in warm water.
Conclusion
Walk-in baths promote easy accessibility, helping seniors and physically impaired individuals accomplish bathing with the utmost comfort and convenience. Coupled with the therapeutic benefits derived from regular warm baths, purchasing a walk-in tub is an excellent investment as it contributes to a user’s optimal sense of wellness.