The relief of a safer bathroom
ARE bathing worries nibbling away at your sense of contentment?
Climbing over bath-sides brings a risk of falls and fractures — quite a concern when you think about the implications.
Yet taking a warm bath can be very therapeutic. And there are now many ways to make bathing safer, without having to change the bathroom too dramatically.
A walk-in bath fitted with a hydrotherapy system can ease stiffness and relieve pain. Some are standard length, allowing you to stretch out.
There might be the option of a power seat that can be removed to allow your family to use the bath. And some types are designed as walk-in shower baths.
Then there are contoured walk-in baths that allow you to enjoy a deeper, more satisfying soak, while sitting in an upright position. The built-in seat makes it easier to stand and exit through the small door, too, with just a 4in-high step.
This can boost confidence considerably, as it makes bathing so much simpler than struggling to get in and out of a high-sided bath. Plus, there are models to fit even the smallest of bathrooms,
Alternatively, installing a bath lift can make a big difference at minimal cost. A wall-mounted bath belt (right) allows you to take a bath without making alterations to your bathroom. Just sit on the belt, and you will be gently lowered down to the bottom of the bath.
After enjoying your bath, just press the button, and you will be lifted effortlessly up again. It can be fitted with the minimum of fuss, usually within an hour.
An alternative is an inflatable bath lift, which fits inside your existing bath and, at the press of a button, lowers you safely to the bottom of the bath and back up again. What a relief it can be to have a safer bathroom!