Who Needs A Walk
Walk-in showers have universal appeal. You may find them in high-end resorts as well as senior living communities and single-family homes. Older adults, in particular, should consider installing a walk-in shower with a seat, especially if they are remodeling or looking into a new home.
Not only do walk-in showers create a sense of luxury in the master bathroom, but they also safeguard seniors against slip-and-fall injuries, which can cause critical injuries. According to the CDC, about 235,000 injuries happen in the bathroom each year. In addition to preventing slip-and-fall accidents, including a seat or bench in your walk-in shower adds an extra level of comfort and convenience.
Pro Tip: Investing in a walk-in shower is also an investment in your overall home value. In general, a home with a walk-in shower will sell at a higher price than one withoutespecially in communities with higher senior populations.
Showers With Safety Features
Both walk-in shower options can be stylish even though they include safety features. You dont have to give up having an attractive glass door, glass blocks, rainfall showerhead, or fashionable shower walls made of natural stone. Visitors to your master bath will only see a spacious walk-in shower. They wont even notice the grab bars, non-slip shower floor, or shower seat that makes the shower experience perfect for someone with mobility issues.
What Options Are Available For Walk
The exact features and design options you can choose from vary depending on which manufacturer youre buying from. In general, though, you can choose from the different wall, base, door and faucet options. Theres an array of features out there, including everything from modern-looking stone finish enclosures to clever storage, and multi-function shower faucets.
Walk-in showers are designed to fit your existing bathroom, and come in different shapes and sizes, including round, square, rectangular, and even corner, and hexagonal options.
Some manufacturers have one core product that you can tweak and remodel as you please, while others design your shower from scratch.
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What Features Should I Look For In My Walk
There are several different features available, depending on what you need. We recommend checking out:
- What safety features are like. At the very least, its a good idea to get a model with grab bars, to help steady seniors once theyre in. Other helpful safety options include anti-scald faucets, easy touch controls, non-slip bases, and shelves that double as places to lean
- The step height. Most walk-in showers offer a step height of 3 or less you want to be sure its easy enough to step over.
- What storage options there are. Adding storage to a shower enclosure maximizes the use of space in your bathroom, and also makes it easy to keep everything you need close at hand.
- Whether you can add a seat. A seat is a great addition for any senior, giving them a place to rest if they need to. Some models come with fold-down seats or seats built into the base, while others offer free-standing models.
- Your choice of faucet and control options. Some places give you the choice of different sizes and types of faucet so you can customize your shower experience to your liking.
- The design options. Check out the manufacturers design choices. What finishes can you get on the walls? What kind of door and screen options are there? How about the metal finishes?
- What kind of warranty you get. A walk-in shower is an investment, so you want to be sure youre covered in case something goes wrong.
How Do You Install A Walk
Depending on the walk-in tub manufacturer, the company may supply its own contractors to remove and dispose of your old tub and install your new walk-in tub. You may also be allowed to hire your own contractor.
Walk-in tub installation could cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on factors like needing to install a tankless water heater, clear drain blockages, replace inadequate drain piping, widen the bathroom door or complete other renovations to accommodate the walk-in tub.
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Making Bathing And Showering Safer
Among Americans 65 and older, falls result in more injuries and death than any other cause. Removing or reducing the causes of falls can make life safer for this age group.
Stepping into a bathtub or into a shower is fraught with danger. Falls often occur when a person must step over the wall of a tub or a curb . Balancing on one leg, even for the second or two required to step into a shower can be risky business for the elderly or anyone with physical limitations.
Removing or reducing the size of the threshold can dramatically improve shower and bathing safety. In short, the solution is a walk-in shower.
Installation Is The Biggest Cost
Unless you are very experienced with construction, In general, installing a walk-in shower is not a DIY project. The cost of experienced labor will be your biggest outlay. This will also vary: If youre putting in an acrylic prefab shower, the cost will be far less than a custom tiled walk-in shower.
Also, getting rid of any old fixture or shower and prepping the space for the new one can tack anywhere from $1,200 to $7,000 to the total. After that, according to Bath Planet, your individual choices for each of the components will drive the cost.
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Medicaids Policy On Walk In Tubs
Even with Medicare Advantage plans offering supplemental healthcare and new supplemental non-healthcare benefits, Medicaid is more likely to provide financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a walk in tub. Medicaid is not a single federal program. Instead each state has several different Medicaid programs. Therefore, there are possibly 100s of different sets of rules governing Medicaids policy on the purchase of a walk in tub or low threshold shower. For example, Medicaid in California has programs for pregnant women, infants, nursing home care, and assisted living. None of these Medi-Cal programs will pay for a walk in tub. However, the state had a Medicaid program called Community Transitions that helped nursing home residents move back to private homes. This program, which ended in January 2019 due to lack of funding, very likely would have covered the cost of a walk in tub. That said, the program may resume in the future if funds become available.
There are also Medicaid programs for Home and Community Based Services . For example, Colorado has an Elderly, Blind and Disabled Persons Waiver. This will pay for specialized medical equipment and environmental accessibility modifications. Under these guidelines, when medically necessary to help an individual remain living in their home, Medicaid will pay the purchase price and installation costs for a walk in tub.
Determine Your Need For A Walk
The first step to selecting the right walk-in shower is to determine your need. What this means is to think about whether or not you truly need a walk-in shower for safety purposes or if you are simply interested in the convenience and aesthetics of a walk-in shower. Figuring out which category you fall into can help you decide which features to include, the style of walk-in shower you need, and if you need any add-ons for safety purposes.
Who Is a Good Fit for a Walk-In Shower?
The following situations indicate that someone is a good candidate to benefit from a walk-in shower:
- You have mobility and balance challenges
- You have some difficulty transferring independently
- You have a history of falls in the home or have had some close-calls
- You currently struggle to get in and out of the shower or bathtub
- You want to age in place and make your home more aging-friendly
If any of the above apply to you, you are a good candidate for a walk-in shower for safety reasons. If none of the above applies, you can, of course, still install a walk-in in your bathroom, but you can focus less on safety features and more on comfort. However, keep in mind that your needs may change over time, especially if you plan to age in place. Even if youre interested in a walk-in shower for convenience or aesthetic reasons, including some safety features like non-slip flooring can help ensure your safety for years to come.
Walk-In Showers vs. Walk-In Tubs
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Think About The Threshold
The threshold is how high the step up into the shower is. The standard size for most walk-in showers is 4.5 inches. While that may not seem like much of a step up, it can be difficult for a person with limited mobility to scale. Although it is pricer, a barrier-free shower is also an option. The threshold is non-existent so that a wheelchair or walker can go inside. The shower base is sloped so that water doesnt slosh out into the rest of the bathroom.
Important Features For Walk
Walk-in shower designs vary from wheelchair-accessible showers to a walk-in steam showers. For properties with the space, some opt for a bathroom with a tub and walk-in shower. A seat inside the walk-in shower is an attractive proposition to many. Ultimately, a walk-in shower should be in line with your vision and how you see yourself using this bathroom area. A walk-in shower isnt as simple as installing a few panels and checking the pipes. The right features can make or break the walk-in shower experience.
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Purchasing Used Walk In Tubs
It is possible to purchase a walk in tub in used condition. However, in reality, this rarely happens due to the removal and shipping challenges. Both of which can easily damage a tub. Most individuals decide the cost savings of purchasing used does not warrant the risk of a damaged or leaky tub as well as the hassles associated with transporting the tub to a new location. Furthermore, many families have hygiene concerns when it comes to purchasing used bathing equipment.
Stylish Ideas For Walk
Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. She covers interior design, decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
Whether its a built-in bench or a simple stool, seating can expand a showers purpose. Seats in walk-in showers keep toiletries at hand, provide a footrest for easier washing or shaving, and supply perches within reach of the waters spray. Take your cue from these stylish seats, which invite bathers to relax and unwind.
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E/z Step Bathtub To Shower Conversion Advantages
Senior Safety Pro is ready to take on any kind of conversion, from a simple budget tubcut to a more traditional tub out, shower in remodel. We offer a wide range of bathroom accessibility features that are perfect for seniors, and all conversions provided by our team come complete with a bathrub refinishing, two grab bars, and a non slip safety mat.
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Lifetime Warranty On Workmanship and Materials
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Project Completion in a Day and a Half
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Custom Handicap Access Features
The Pros Of Walk In Tubs Include:
- Low thresholds: The standard height of a walk-in tub threshold ranges from 3 to 7 high. That means that a senior doesnt have to raise their foot too high to get into one like they do to for a traditional bathtub, which has a 14 inch rim.
- Grab bars: In general, walk-in tubs are ADA compliant so they have at least one built in grab bar inside the tub. This makes it safer for a bather who might be in danger of sliding off the seat of the tub. Grab bars allow more independence and reduce the chance of falling while transitioning into or out of the tub. Also, if the bather does slip off the seat, a grab bar can help them keep their head above water.
- Built in seats: Walk in tubs come with seats that are chair height. An elderly person doesnt have worry about falling when trying to sit all the way down onto the floor of a traditional tub. They also wont freeze while perching on a stool. Many walk in tubs have contoured seats with anti-slip texturing. This gives the user more room to move around when bathing and makes it easier for them to get up or down without falling.
- Read more in our article on the Safety of Walk In Tubs
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Get Design Assistance From The Professionals
Of course, all of these shower ideas are only suggestions to serve as a starting point for your new shower design. Youll want to think about whats most comfortable and convenient for your particular needs in order to design a custom shower thats just right for you. At MaxHome, we proudly offer and install walk-in showers for seniors, and wed be happy to discuss your options and ideas in more detail. Contact us today to learn more about our walk-in showers for seniors and to get started with a complimentary shower design consultation.
Greatest Variety & Editors Choice
Ellas Bubbles has an extensive walk-in tub portfolio with over 20 models. These models include all main types of walk-in tubs, including soaker-only, jetted, two-person, bariatric, wheelchair-accessible, and lay-down tubs. Youll find tubs small enough for little bathrooms and models large enough for people up to 7 feet tall. In addition to the variety of tubs, the wide range of optional therapeutic features allows you to customize your dream tub-shower combo.
All of their tubs can be turned into a tub/shower combination with the addition of their shower column kit and folding tempered-glass door screen. Ellas Bubbles shower column is a large, chrome rain showerhead that attaches to the existing faucet and deck with a diverter, which can adjust as high as 7 feet.
An audit of customer reviews shows that the majority of customers are happy with their tubs and the customer service received. The Better Business Bureau gives them an A+ rating and 5 out of 5 stars for customer satisfaction. Google reviews also show that consumers give Ellas Bubbles high marks with 4.8 stars out of 5. Not only do consumers praise the customer service repeatedly, but the tubs are well reviewed for their customization options, safety, and therapeutic benefits for older adults. You can also read the many glowing testimonials on the Ellas Bubbles website.
Pros
- Two-person tubs
Fill and Drain System
Therapeutic Features
- Hydrotherapy and/or air massage jets
- Infusion Microbubble Therapy
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Local Or County Government Housing Department
Many local governments have plans that help seniors with home modification or make homes more accessible so they can age in their homes.
As an example, Housing programs administered by the City of Gaithersburg include inclusionary housing , closing cost and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and deferred loans for homeowners and qualified tenants who wish to make their homes accessible and visitable for anyone with a disability.
The city of Topekas Planning & Development department has an Accessibility Program that provides modifications to homes such as external ramps, bathroom modifications, and more.
Contact your local government to see if they have any program that assists with home modification and improvement.
Which Are The Additional Expenses
Besides the standard characteristics mentioned above, the optional features of a Safe Step Walk-In Tub may include personal hygiene therapy, a hydrotherapy massage system, aromatherapy, a light therapy system, a MicroSoothe therapy system, and/or a lower back heating system. Your total bill may increase by a few hundred or thousands of dollars, depending on the extra features you would like to add.
In some situations, you may have to upgrade your water heater so you can completely fill the tub.
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You Are A Great Fit For One Of Our Walk
You have difficulty getting in and out of your bathtub. You require a barrier-free shower for wheelchair access. You want safety grab bars installed where you need them the most. You want a shower that focuses on safety while also having plenty of choices in design, color and pricing. You need a shower thats easy to access and easy to clean.
You deserve to feel safe bathing in your own home, and you also shouldnt have to sacrifice aesthetic for safety. With a walk-in bathtub from Senior Safe Solutions, you can have both style and functionality in your bathroom!
Benefits Of A Walk In Shower
The installation of a customised walk-in shower is one of the most effective ways to achieve a safer and more accessible bathroom area and provide a greater level of luxury appearance. Some of the key benefits of having a walk-in shower installed include:
- Attractive design features
- Non Slip flooring
A walk in show can be complemented with other safety features such as grab rails and fold down seats to give the users more safety and independence.
A walk in shower opens up the bathroom or en suite adding to a modern simple and fresh look and creating more space thus ensuring a safer showering experience . Walk in showers are increasingly used to help people with reduced mobility and are a safer way to maintain independence as we age.
The components of a walk in shower range from 400 up to 1500 . The majority of the cost installing your new walk in shower goes on the labour . Most installations will involve removal of an older units and then the plumbing and installation of the newer unit. Setting a budget of about 5000 should cover the cost of material , finishes and labour.
When installing a walk in shower for an elderly person it is common for items such as a fold down seat ,chrome grab rails and non slip tiles to be added as part of the refurbishment .
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