Mobility Aids that can Help Someone Live Independently

Arthritis or joint problems getting in the way of someone you love living independently? Worried that they will no longer be able to live alone if bending, stretching, climbing stairs, and even getting into and out of a tub becomes problematic if not impossible? You can help by buying and installing home aids that can help someone with decreased mobility compensate and live independently as long as possible.

Bath and Shower Options

Slip-and-fall accidents, which occur can lead to serious injuries or ongoing conditions that need treatment, happen most frequently in the bathroom (though other areas in the home can lead to such accidents). You can help someone avoid slipping and falling in the bathroom by installing a walk-in bathtub or shower.

You can choose from hundreds of options (in fact, in some places, the sky is literally the limit; if you can dream it, or if you want it, you can probably find it). You can choose from compact sit-in style baths to more classic full-length baths and showers. Both will come with leak-proof doors, so you don’t have to worry about water getting on the floor, which is also a cause of accidents in the bathroom.

Some shower options come with built-in seats, or you can ask for a seat to be added. Seats are a cost-effective way to help someone in the shower who may not be able to stand for lengthy periods of time. You can get a seat that adjusts to a person’s height, if more than one person with mobility issues will use the shower. Talk to your contractor about the best option for you and the shower. Good contractors will be able to tell you where to install a seat, if you want a seat installed.

You can also install a shower nozzle that is not permanently attached to the wall. By giving someone using the shower the option to move the nozzle as opposed to moving their body, the person’s overall mobility will increase, and you can reduce the chance of someone slipping and falling in the tub or shower itself. A removable nozzle may not seem like a way to aid someone’s mobility, but it does, and will.

Mobility Options

If someone needs to climb stairs to get around the house, you can get a home stairlift for as little as $3,500 (about twice as much if you need one that goes around corners or curves). A chair lift will not only ease the burden of climbing stairs, but also help someone stay in their home as opposed to having to move into a one-story home or an assisted living facility.

If you don’t want to install a chair lift permanently (which may hinder someone buying the home if they don’t need such an assisted-living device), some companies make these devices available for rent for a monthly or yearly fee. Look into the options available to you in the town or city where you live.

Walk-in baths and stair lifts and two ways you can help someone you love remain in their home and live as independently as possible.

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Simplifying Life for an Aging Adult

Helping an aging adult live independently as long as possible can be a simple process if you keep safety and accessibility in mind and think long-term as you make plans to renovate an existing home or just parts of the home.

Since mobility may be a problem, as well as balance, one easy place to start is in the bathroom. The bathroom is the one room in the home where the most accidents occur, especially slip-and-falls. Anyone, no matter the age, can slip on a puddle of water, or trip over the lid of a standard shower or bath tub. But with a few adjustments, you can decrease the chance for such an accident and make life a little easier.

Safer Floors & Walls

Start with the floor. Make sure anything you can get off of the floor is off. Clean floors are a must, if you can. Depending on the type of remodeling project you’re willing to take on, you may want to install a pedestal vanity. Below, we’ll talk about non-skid mats you can put down if you decide not to remodel your bathroom to help an aging adult live independently, but you may want to consider carpeting the entire floor. This type of renovation will ensure that water does not pool on the floor, which could cause someone to slip and fall.

On the walls, you should install grab bars, which can help someone stay balanced as they move around the bathroom. Certainly, you should install grab bars near the toilet and the shower/tub itself. Make sure you install the grab bars in drywall, and make sure that they are firmly anchored into place. One surefire way to cause someone to slip and fall is if a grab bar someone is holding onto comes loose from the wall.

Safer & Easier Appliances

Look at the appliances you have in the bathroom. Electricity and water don’t mix, so anything with a plug should be replaced with battery-operated appliances.

Another easy fix is replacing any knobs in the bathroom (like on a cabinet) with pulls. Pulls are easier for someone with limited mobility to use, as opposed to knobs, which must be twisted. Someone with arthritis may find knobs difficult to use. Something as simple as pulls is an easy way to help someone.

Also, look at the lighting in the bathroom. Is there enough lighting for someone to see if there is water on the floor, or where the lip of the tub or shower is? Consider adding lights above the toilet and above the shower.

Safer Bathing

Perhaps the most important renovation you can do is to replace your existing tub or shower with a walk-in tub. Such a tub provides not only peace of mind but also a safe space in which someone can clean themselves. With no lip to step over, you minimize possible slip and falls. You may also want to install a seat in the shower, so that someone with limited mobility does not have to stand while showering. If you cannot install a walk-in tub, then consider installing at least a seat.

If you choose not to replace your current shower or tub with a walk-in tub, then you should, at the very least, put in place non-skid mats on the floor, perhaps several, and definitely one by the tub or shower. A mat will not only give someone using the tub or shower a fairly dry surface on which to stand (you may want to take it off the floor in between showers or baths, if possible), but it will also help someone using the shower or tub stay balanced as they get into and out of a standard shower.

Helping someone retain the ability to live independently is something that is important to do as well as simple to do, if you take into account all the ways in which someone may get hurt in the bathroom. A few changes can go a long way.

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How to Give Yourself an Affordable Home-Spa Experience

Want to convert your current shower or tub into a home-spa experience? You can, and it won’t even cost you an arm and a leg. Several contractors and companies across the country make converting your existing bathroom into a home-spa, but only one customizes its services to meet your needs.

Meet Independent Home. Helping you, an aging adult, or someone with mobility impairments live independently is the name of their game. And don’t just think you’re going to get a cookie-cutter solution to your individual problem. You and your needs are front and center in any work they help you do or get done for you.

Independent Home offers six types of walk-in tubs – customizable to fit your needs – and with dealers around the country, you won’t have to travel far to find the perfect tub for you.

• The Celebrity is an easy way to convert you existing shower stall or bathtub into a luxury experience. And if you want, you can add-on an 18-jet warm-air massage system. This therapeutic feature is a nice way to relax after a long day at work. And experts agree that this type of hydrotherapy can help relieve any tension and joint pain you’re experiencing.
• The Access walk-in model is an option if someone using it is in a wheelchair. No need to get out of the chair and try to walk into anything; there is a seat that is level with most standard wheelchairs, so all someone has to do is slide into the tub, turn on the water, and enjoy independent bathing.
• The Imperial is designed for someone who wants or needs extra room to bathe. With a door width of more than 25 inches, this tub is perfect for someone who weighs up to 500 pounds, or who wants the extra room for a more comfortable bathing experience.
• The Pearl is the best choice if you need to convert your existing shower stall into a walk-in tub. A side door makes getting in and out of the tub easier, and the optional 12-air whirlpool jets can turn your bathing experience into a luxury experience.
• The Royal is a walk-in tub that is more tub than shower. A door (that closes) lets you enter the tub, and a powered-control seat will lower someone into the tub and raise them out of the tub.
• The Freedom Mobility shower takes the tub out of walk- in tub and converts your existing shower into a spacious space in which someone can safely bathe.

More than 10 years after first offering walk-in tubs to aging adults, adults with mobility impairments, or anyone looking for a home-spa experience, Independent Home can answer any questions you have, help you decide the best option for your situation, and point you in the direction of a dealer near you.

For more information, call Independent Home at 800-373-4322.

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Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding to Install a Walk in Tub

If you are thinking about installing a walk in tub or shower in your home, or in the home of an aging adult or someone with mobility impairments, you should consider the answers to several questions. Yes, a walk-in option for bathing will help someone bathe independently and provide a space in which you can create a home-spa experience (and who wouldn’t want a home spa?), but if you want one, there are affordable options as well as high-end models that will give you a tub or shower fit for a king.

What should you think about before making your decision?

Well, first and foremost, the person using the shower and tub. Who will use this space the most? Is it you? Is it an aging adult? Is it someone with mobility impairments (from someone who suffers from vertigo to someone with arthritis)? What will their needs be, not just now but going forward. How tall is the person? How much do they weight? Will they need a seat in the tub?

How much can you spend on a Walk in Tub?

You will not only pay for the walk-in shower or tub but there will be an installation fee as well. And if you want to add-on options (like an 18-jet whirlpool system), that will increase the cost. Of course, you may recoup this cost when you sell the property, and you may be eligible for tax benefits for installing something that is primarily for someone with a medical condition (see other blog posts on how to benefit from existing tax laws).

How much space do you have?

Walk-in bathtubs can come in many shapes and sizes, and a good contractor or company will have a variety of options that can fit any sized bathroom. Are you retrofitting an existing shower or tub? Are you taking out what you currently have and replacing it with a walk-in unit? Answers to these questions may determine your final cost as well as the size of the unit you can add to your home.

How high can someone step to get into the tub? Do you want the unit flush to the floor? Do you want there to be a tiny lip for someone to step over? Again, the person primarily using the unit will be the one to keep in mind when making this decision. All units have some form of closure, to make sure that water does not get onto the floor.

And speaking of doors. Do you want one that swings inward or outward? Do you want a level or handle on the door? Or, do you want the door to open or close with the push of a button? Keep in mind that inward-swinging doors can be difficult to use, especially for someone with arthritis, and may not provide someone with the best opportunity to get out of the tub. Outward-swinging doors will give someone the best way to get into and out of a tub.

Converting your existing tub or shower is the most affordable way to go, but this may not be the best long-term solution for the person primarily using the shower or tub. You may not be able to get around the existing lip that someone has to step over to get into the shower or tub, which may not solve your current or future concerns.

Contractors and companies that specialize in helping adults live independently can help you decide the best option for you. But having answers to some of the questions listed above will help you have a general idea of the direction you want to go in.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. All that matters is making sure that who is using the tub or shower has the best user experience, and is able to safely use it.

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Walk-in Shower vs. Walk-in Bath Tubs

Walk in Tubs and Showers

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom and unsure if you want to go with a walk-in tub versus a walk-in shower?
If you go with a walk-in bathtub, you can customize it to include hot water jets or ways in which to better control the temperature while you are using the tub. You can also have custom seats installed so someone who may not be able to stand for lengthy periods of time – or at least long enough to bathe – can still clean themselves.

Of course, the benefit of using a tub is the way in which you can create a home spa experience. Want to soak for a while? Here’s the best way to do it. And you can choose the bells and whistles to add on.

Going with a walk-in shower means you have other options to consider. Do you want a fiberglass shower? Or do you want to use tiles?

The plus side of fiberglass is it is easy to clean and maintain; has a very modern look; and is easy to use. Down side? You may have few options when customizing a walk-in shower for your needs.

Going with tiles means you have endless possibilities in terms of color and design, so if matching the rest of your home’s décor is important to you, then a tiled shower may be the best way to go. Tile will probably cost you more than a fiberglass shower, but depending on what you want, may be your best option.

Your choice may affect your resale value. Depending on the space in which you live, a tub may give you the biggest bang for you buck, at least in terms of tempting a future to pick your home over someone else’s home. A walk-in shower may also be what someone is looking for, but describing the bathing experience as a spa-like experience may be worth its weight in gold.

You’re going to get the benefits of using a hydrotherapy system (for more on hydrotherapy, see other blog posts) whether you go with a walk-in bath tub or with a walk-in shower. Hydrotherapy can help you soothe and muscle or joint aches and pains you have, relax after a stressful day, and help you sleep better at night. The heat, pressure, and buoyancy present in any hydrotherapy system is worth the investment alone, though the benefits for someone living with a mobility impairment or someone who needs a little help living independently are countless.

Independent Home has the best Walk in Tubs and Showers in the nation

When deciding between a walk-in shower or a walk-in bathtub, make sure you have a warranty, especially one that covers the door. The door should have a seal that ensures no water leaks when someone is using the tub or shower. Also, does the company you choose have a local installer or contractor? Ask for testimonials or references from local customers. Finally, pick a manufacturer with a solid reputation. They should be willing to back up their produce with ongoing support, because you never know what you may need in the future.

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Walk In Shower vs. Walk In Bath Tubs: Which Is Right For You?

Thinking about remodeling your bathroom and unsure if you want to go with a walk-in tub versus a walk-in shower.

If you go with a walk-in bathtub, you can customize it to include hot water jets or ways in which to better control the temperature while you are using the tub. You can also have custom seats installed so someone who may not be able to stand for lengthy periods of time – or at least long enough to bathe – can still clean themselves.

Of course, the benefit of using a tub is the way in which you can create a home spa experience. Want to soak for a while? Here’s the best way to do it. And you can choose the bells and whistles to add on.

Going with a walk-in shower means you have other options to consider. Do you want a fiberglass shower? Or do you want to use tiles?

The plus side of fiberglass is it is easy to clean and maintain; has a very modern look; and is easy to use. Down side? You may have few options when customizing a walk-in shower for your needs.

Going with tiles means you have endless possibilities in terms of color and design, so if matching the rest of your home’s décor is important to you, then a tiled shower may be the best way to go. Tile will probably cost you more than a fiberglass shower, but depending on what you want, may be your best option.

Your choice may affect your resale value. Depending on the space in which you live, a tub may give you the biggest bang for you buck, at least in terms of tempting a future to pick your home over someone else’s home. A walk-in shower may also be what someone is looking for, but describing the bathing experience as a spa-like experience may be worth its weight in gold.

You’re going to get the benefits of using a hydrotherapy system (for more on hydrotherapy, see other blog posts) whether you go with a walk-in bath tub or with a walk-in shower. Hydrotherapy can help you soothe and muscle or joint aches and pains you have, relax after a stressful day, and help you sleep better at night. The heat, pressure, and buoyancy present in any hydrotherapy system is worth the investment alone, though the benefits for someone living with a mobility impairment or someone who needs a little help living independently are countless.

When deciding between a walk-in shower or a walk-in bath tub, make sure you have a warranty, especially one that covers the door. The door should have a seal that ensures no water leaks when someone is using the tub or shower. Also, does the company you choose have a local installer or contractor? Ask for testimonials or references from local customers. Finally, pick a manufacturer with a solid reputation. They should be willing to back up their produce with ongoing support, because you never know what you may need in the future.

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The Health Benefits of an Elderly In-Home Spa

Studies show, and experts agree, that using water as a means to heal (called hydrotherapy) can help you get and stay healthy and address some chronic (ongoing) conditions. Hydrotherapy can include a soak in a hot tub, cold water treatment, use of an ice pack or packs, a sauna, swimming or sitting in mineral or hot springs, water exercises and massage, and using wet towels on aching muscles and joints.

For most people, hydrotherapy has few or no side effects, especially if you remember not to expose yourself to too much heat or cold for lengthy periods of time. You should also make sure you stay hydrated. However, some people should talk to their doctors before starting any form of hydrotherapy treatment. These people include:

• Anyone with a condition that could be worsened with exposure to extreme temperatures (hot or cold), including anyone with heart disease, lung disease, circulation disorder, Reynaud’s phenomenon, or chilblains

• Anyone whose injuries could be further aggravated by exposure to water jets
• Anyone with nerve damage who may not be able to tell if they are using water at an extreme temperature
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker

So why water? You’ve probably heard that we should drink around 8 glasses of water a day, and that we are primarily comprised of water, but using water externally can increase your blood circulation, including circulation of white blood cells, which are an integral part of your immune system. Water therapy can also increase your endorphins, which, when combined with increased circulation, can strengthen your immune system, heal injured tissue, decrease inflammation, and boost your overall energy and well-being.

Along with helping your overall health, hydrotherapy has been used to treat people who have injured one or more parts of the body, who have had a stroke, and who have had or currently have a respiratory infection. This form of therapy can also help people who have arthritis and other similar conditions. You can also reduce your stress levels, sleep better, and have fewer headaches if you regularly use a form of hydrotherapy.

Perhaps surprisingly, soaking in a hot tub has been found to improve blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes, decrease blood pressure, and help people with multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and bursitis. Doctors are also beginning to suggest hot tub therapy for people who have been diagnosed as having depression and for people who have pain.

In a whirlpool spa, you’re going to get the benefits of heat, buoyancy, and massage, which, when combined, can give you a unique relaxing and soothing experience. Walk-in tub immersion in hot water is a sure way to increase your circulation. How? Well, spa jets will massage you with a combination of water and air, which will help improve circulation, relieve muscle tension and stiffness, release trigger points, increase motion range, release pressure on the nerves, and promotes overall relaxation.

And because in water you are practically weightless (buoyancy can help you feel as if you are 90 percent lighter), and pain or pressure you feel in your joints or muscles will feel better.

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How To Make Sure Your Walk In Bathtub Is Made with Quality Materials

Let’s face it: walk in bathtubs do not come cheap. When you purchase a walk in tub, you should consider it as a major investment not only in home improvement, but an investment for the safety, protection and comfort of your loved ones.

Walk in tub prices can range from $1,500 to as high as $10,000 or even more. Considering these figures, choosing a tub to buy must not be taken for granted. Add this to the fact that these walk-in tubs will be used by loved ones with special needs – you generally have an idea how important this decision will be for the entire family.

Much like other bathtubs, these safety tubs come in a wide range of sizes, materials and design. In terms of material, most step in tubs are made from acrylic material, fiberglass, steel or porcelain. Let us find out what to expect from each of these materials:

Acrylic Walk In Bathtubs

Acrylic walk in tubs are the most durable. They insulate well and since they are made of non-porous material, they are easy to maintain and repair. Acrylic tubs have life spans of over 30 years. However, with excellent quality comes high price. Acrylic tubs are expensive, but are worth-it investments if you want a tub that can last you decades of use.

Fiberglass Walk In Bathtubs

Many elderly tubs now are made of fiberglass with gel coating. They are very inexpensive and light-weight. However, since they are made of porous materials, they are difficult to clean. They are quite fragile and last only up to 8 years in average.

Porcelain Walk In Bathtubs

Porcelain-made tubs are not as durable, but they are resistant to corrosion and very easy to clean. They are also relatively inexpensive but can come in heavy packages.

Steel Bathtubs

Steel tubs are oftentimes sturdy, but are not aesthetically pleasant to some.

Most walk-in tub designs you see today are made of the first two materials stated above. But which one would you choose?

An acrylic walk in tub would be a reasonable investment. They last up to more than 3 decades of use, and make a beautiful addition to your bathroom. Fibreglass tubs are also a good choice if there are budget constraints to consider, and if you don’t expect long years of use. It also comes in a wide variety of colours for gel coating. They are the economic choice of many, especially for elderly tubs.

Finally, note that not all tubs made of the same material are created the same. You also have to consider the trustworthiness of the brand, as well as the functionality and durability of the design. Make sure that your brand of choice has been in the market for many years, and is considered reputable by many. These special tubs are expensive, it is but right that you choose one that is made of quality materials that will meet the needs of your loved one and of the entire family.

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Optional Walk In Tub Accessories – What are Your Options?

Walk in tubs do not just feature a swinging door for convenient entry, there are still many more you can affix to ensure maximum safety of your loved one with health and mobility problems. Here are some optional walk in tub accessories that can provide fine bathing experience and support to every bather:

Faster Fill and Drain Accessories

As you may already know, unlike traditional bathtubs, walk in bathing requires that the bather be in the tub before it is filled and drained. The wait can take a while, and most manufacturers of these elderly tubs do not provide information as to how long the wait will be. Fortunately, they do provide valves and drainage systems that deliver rapid flow. By rapid, we mean more than 20 gallons of water per minute, and drainage within 3 minutes or less!

Protection from Scalding and Shock

Aside from slippage, shock due to cold water or scalding is also frequent sources of injury in the bathroom. To avoid this, there are available Thermostatic Mixing Valves that have been designed to limit and maintain the appropriate blending of hot and cold water to a set temperature. This ensures maximum comfort of the bather and avoids temperatures that may be too hot or too cold. These mixing valves can be pre-set to provide maximum health benefits for walk-in tubs with hydrotherapy jets.

Grab and Stabilization Bars

Walk in bathtubs can be made even safer with the installation of stabilization or grab bars. When installing these grab bars, it is important that they be positioned in strategic positions that best fits the needs of the bather. Grab bars are usually positioned not only at the door area and at the sides of the tub, but around the bathroom area as well.

Shower Curtain Rack

To provide the bather the ultimate privacy, a shower curtain rack that works well with the size of the tub can be installed. These curtain racks do not only ensure privacy, but they actually offer optimal safety. Remember that any feature in the bathroom that leads one to get distracted from stabilizing themselves can lead to unwanted accidents. These distractions can be well minimized by shower curtains fixed through tracks or rods.

Warm Air Massage or Hydrotherapy Systems

When buying a tub with door, you can also opt to purchase air massage or hydrotherapy systems that consist of therapeutic air bubble jets placed all throughout the tub. These jets release air bubbles through jet swirling action that can ease a bather’s tired body. This is especially useful for elderly or the handicapped who suffer from pains and discomfort. The warm air system allows a gentle yet effective massaging motion that can stimulate the muscles and improve blood circulation. These hydrotherapy systems can relax you physically and mentally as well.

Maximize the protection and comfort of your loved ones by ensuring that your walk in tub has all the important accessories available. These optional accessories can mean additional expenditures, but the added safety and convenient they bring are well worth the investment.

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