We’re taking 227 showers a year!
HESE days it seems that we don don t t have as much time as we d like to enjoy a hot soak in the bath.
While three-quarters of people still have a bath with a shower in their homes, it is the shower that sees the most use, with Britons taking an average of 227 a year, according to one study. And a third of us take just four baths or less over the course of 12 months.
Those aged 75 or more, who perhaps have joint or muscular pains to soothe, are Britain s greatest fans of walk-in baths, according to other recent research.
But in line with the trend towards showering, more than two-thirds of buyers in their sixties opt for a modern, easy-access shower. Either way, it makes sense to improve safety in the bathroom, as this is where 80 per cent of falls at home happen, including 55 per cent of hip fractures.
Getting in and out of a standard bath can pose problems, particularly when you have wet hands or feet, leading to fears of becoming stuck.
A high-quality, contemporary shower can be built to sit in the footprint of the old bath.
Choose a specialist supplier, and they will take account of any mobility problems that you might have, making bathing safer without having to sacrifice style and comfort.
Opt for a fold- down seat or bench, a chrome designer grab bar and slip-resistant flooring to bring back bathing confidence and help you regain independence.
Alternatively, a walk-in bath is far safer than a traditional one, as there is just a small step to negotiate when stepping through the door on the side. And the latest can be turned into home spas, with hydrotherapy bubbles and chromotherapy lighting.
As autumn nears, this might be an ideal time to start looking at any such ideas that could improve your home life, so that you are well set up for the colder weather.
Specialist companies tend to be very considerate of older people and can get the work done in just a day or two, so you won t be without bathing facilities for long at all.