An indulgent soak without the worry

THOSE who struggle to get in and out of their existing bath, but don’t want the upheaval and expense of replacing it, might like to consider an inflatable bath lift. This fits neatly in the bath and, at the press of a button, lowers you down safely and then back up again. With an anti-slip seating area and lumbar support, it restores peace of mind. An alternative is a wall-mounted bath belt (pictured). It creates a stable seat that will lower you gently right to the bottom of the bath and can usually be fitted in under an hour. You could try a working model during a home demonstration. Or want another solution? There are various types of walk-in baths, from models in which you can enjoy a luxurious fulllength soak, to shower baths and deeper baths, including those specially designed for small bathrooms. All have a door in the side, so that you need only step over a low threshold. And there are various types of walk-in shower, offering low access and elegance. For many people, these offer the best of both worlds — as no one need know you have bathing difficulties.