How Walk-In Showers Help With Arthritis and Joint Pain
Living with arthritis can turn everyday routines into unexpected challenges. With a walk-in shower for arthritis, you can skip the struggle and enjoy a safer, more comfortable experience.
Arthritis 101
In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month in May, it’s important to understand how this common condition impacts daily life. Arthritis is the swelling of one or more joints and affects 60 million Americans. It’s the number one cause of work disability in the country, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Common arthritis symptoms are joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, but the two most common types are:
- Osteoarthritis: The breakdown of the cartilage that cushions joints over time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joints.
Walking, gripping objects and climbing stairs can be a chore for people suffering from arthritis. It can also make daily tasks like cooking, cleaning and laundry a hassle.
Arthritis is especially common among seniors. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 44 percent of adults over 65 and 53 percent of adults over 75 experience some form of joint pain or stiffness. Years of wear and tear on the body can make regular movement more difficult, often impacting independence and quality of life. For more information about living with arthritis, check out our Arthritis Resource Guide.
Why Bathing Can Be Hard With Arthritis
Falls are one of the leading causes of death for seniors, and many falls occur in the bathroom. For those with arthritis, the risk is even greater.
Some common challenges include:
- Reduced flexibility makes stepping over tub walls hard
- Hand pain can make it hard to turn faucets on and off
- Standing in the shower for long periods causes pain
- Slippery surfaces increase the risk of a fall
Benefits of Walk-In Showers for Arthritis
Upgrading to a walk-in shower can transform your daily routine into a soothing experience. This bathing solution offers accessibility features to limit pain and streamline bathing.
Easy, Low-Threshold Entry
Walk-in showers have low or zero-threshold entry, reducing the strain on the hips and knees. You can move in and out easily and retain your independence while showering.
A Safe Step Walk-In Shower is available with an EZ Step entry of 4 inches or less or a fully wheelchair-accessible design, depending on your shower model.
Improved Stability and Safety
Grab bars and slip-resistant flooring can help improve bathing safety for people with arthritis. Our walk-in showers are designed with accessibility in mind. We offer optional grab bars and textured floors for stability. The grab bars are designed to support your full body weight and come in multiple finishes to match your bathroom’s existing hardware.
Less Standing, More Comfort
The open layout of a walk-in shower provides room for easier movement. The additional space makes it possible to add a shower bench for comfort.
A Safe Step Walk-In Shower can be outfitted with a wall-mounted, medical-grade seat that offers support and flexibility, featuring:
- A seat bottom folds up to maximize space
- A sturdy design that holds up to 400 pounds (with an 800-pound capacity model also available)
- Customizable installation height for enhanced accessibility
Easier Daily Routine
A walk-in shower simplifies your daily routine by removing many of the small obstacles that can slow you down or cause discomfort. Safe Step Walk-In Showers are easy to clean, and the handheld shower wand limits bending for a fast rinse. Reducing physical strain makes your arthritis symptoms easier to manage and frees up time in your daily routine.
Walk-In Shower for Arthritis vs. Traditional Bathtub
If you suffer from arthritis pain or want to age in place, a walk-in shower offers a long-term solution for safety and comfort. It enables you to retain your independence and restores confidence during your daily routine.
Walk-in showers can also be useful for people recovering from surgery and caregivers aiding loved ones.
To see whether a walk-in shower is the right choice, here’s a side-by-side comparison of its features.
| Feature | Traditional Tub-Shower Combo | Walk-In Shower |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | High step-over | Low threshold |
| Mobility | Restricted | Open movement |
| Safety | Higher fall risk | Lower fall risk |
| Comfort | Limited | More adaptable |
Ease Arthritis Pain With a Safer Bathroom
Transforming your daily routine with a walk-in shower or walk-in tub improves comfort and provides peace of mind for people suffering from arthritis. Safe Step has more than 15 years of experience helping people age in place safely.
“The walk-in shower has been incredibly beneficial, especially since I’m 81 and find it easier not to step in and out of a tub,” said Safe Step customer, Michael J. from Oak Park, Michigan.
Our custom-made walk-in showers add lasting value to your home and may reduce the need for costly care. Request a free quote to learn more about how Safe Step’s bathing solutions can help you navigate your arthritis symptoms and focus on living well every day.
