Traditional shower design often fails to take into account the limited mobility factor that accessible walk in bathtubs address. This creates challenges for the user who experiences physical impediments that make bathing a frustrating and complicated process. Showers often lack grab bars, anti-slip protection and a proper seating area common to walk in tubs for a safe and relaxing bathing experience.

Traditional shower design often fails to take into account the limited mobility factor that accessible walk in bathtubs address. This creates challenges for the user who experiences physical impediments that make bathing a frustrating and complicated process. Showers often lack grab bars, anti-slip protection and a proper seating area common to walk in tubs for a safe and relaxing bathing experience.

An easy to install and comfortable alternative to traditional showers, walk in tubs have many features and amenities designed to make life easier. More and more handicap accessible units are being manufactured that include handy grab bars, height-adjustable shower heads and easy to use faucets. These tubs can contribute greatly to your comfort and safety.

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.

Today, there are a great number of different walk in bathtub models on the market. All of them feature an inward or outward opening door in the side of the tub. This makes the tub far safer and easier to step into than 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, most choose inward-opening doors. These are advantageous because they require less room, and they are "self sealing" due to the pressure of the water on them when the bath is full.

Excellent for either showering or bathing, "sit-in" tubs are generally the most popular models. They feature a chair-height seat that is easy to get in and out of. Other units feature powered seats that can lower and lift you safely and easily in and out of a traditional height bath. This allows you to enjoy full-length bathing without the worry of slipping and falling. While practically every model boasts anti-slip surfaces and convenient grab bars for added safety, many newer tubs also have hydrotherapy jet options. These jetted tubs have added therapeutic properties that can aid further in soothing aching joints and sore muscles.

These handicap accessible tubs are available in a wide variety of sizes to meet your needs and lifestyle. Shorter models can be found for a variety of hard to fit places, including bathtubs that are specifically made to take up the same amount of space as a standard shower stall. Long tubs are more spacious and similar to traditional bath sizes, giving you room to stretch out and relax.

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'd like to soak in the tub daily, or you plan to mostly take showers but like the option for an occasional bath, walk in tubs simplify your life by offering the ultimate in comfort and safety.