Pros and Cons of Walk-In Tubs
Equipped with a watertight door, a walk-in tub enables the bather to step over a low threshold and into the tub. Once inside, the bather closes the door and fills the tub with water. After they bathe, they drain the water and step out of the tub in the same safe fashion in which they entered. Pretty straightforward, no? Walk-in tubs can be very helpful as they allow those with limited mobility to bathe with independence. However, for some, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. If you’re thinking about having a walk-in tub installed at your home in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, here are some of the pros and cons you should consider:
Comfort
Standard bathtubs are usually about 14 to 17 inches deep, whereas walk-in tubs can easily be twice as deep. This extra depth provides a much more immersive bathing experience that many find especially comforting. Not to mention, many walk-in tubs have hydrotherapy jets and heated seats, which are definite pros. However, one of the biggest cons when it comes to comfort is the time it takes to fill and empty a walk-in tub. Even with “rapid fill” features, some walk-in tubs can take up to 15 minutes to fill, and another 15 minutes to drain, so if you didn’t opt for the heated seat, you might find yourself a bit chilly.
Safety
As much as 30 percent of adults age 65 and older fall every year. Where do the vast majority of these falls occur? In the bathroom. Walk-in tubs are replete with safety features such as low thresholds, anti-slip flooring, and built-in grab bars, which, given the aforementioned statistics, are obvious pros. However, a bather has to enter a walk-in tub before filling it, which some consider a drawback as doing so increases the risk of exposing your body to water that may be dangerously hot.
Cost
For many homeowners, the cost of a walk-in tub is one of the biggest cons. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover any part of the cost associated with walk-in tubs, as they do not consider them to be Durable Medical Equipment (DME). On the other hand, investing in a walk-in tub can dramatically reduce the risk of serious falls and can help aging adults continue to live independently, which, for some, are pros that trump the out-of-pocket cost.
Get Started Today
To speak with one of our product specialists who can help you decide if one of our walk-in tubs is right for you, contact American Home Design today. We’ve helped countless homeowners in the Nashville area retain their independence and bathe with confidence and we would love to do the same for you.
