For anyone who lives with limited mobility, it’s important to make the home as easy and safe to navigate as possible. A home with accessibility features can allow greater independence and provide seniors with an opportunity to select aging in place rather than moving out of the comfort of their homes. While there may be many potential bottlenecks for movement in the home that can be remedied through accessibility amendments, there’s also an element of danger in some spaces. Few rooms in the average home can match the bathroom for falling and slipping hazards, though the installation of walk-in tubs can help make the bathroom a much safer place.
Walk-in tubs offer many benefits to those who may have restricted mobility because they allow for easy entry, additional grab points for increased stability, and enhanced traction to prevent slipping. Some models also offer other amenities that can be of therapeutic benefit, such as hydrotherapy jets. Given the substantial investment required to install a walk-in tub, there are a few factors that you should consider prior to making a purchase. Read here to learn more about the thing you should consider when purchasing a walk-in tub.
Set Your Budget
Walk-in tubs have an excellent cost-benefit ratio in many cases, but the initial cost of installation represents a significant amount for most people. Therefore, it’s a good idea to set a realistic budget for your walk-in tub installation. Consider how much you’re willing to invest personally in the project. Check to determine if there are any government subsidies or discounts offered by your insurance company. Any of those benefits can help offset your personal cost for installing the tub. Since many people who want to install walk-in tubs are seniors on fixed incomes, it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford. The good news is that there are many pricing tiers within the walk-in tub market, so there’s a product for almost every budget.
Understand Your Needs
Walk-in tubs offer a wide array of options and amenities, so it’s important before you begin shopping for the right tub that you define your needs and wants. If you simply want a tub that offers a lower threshold for entry, then a basic walk-in tub is all that’s required. However, if you are also interested in the therapeutic benefits that walk-in tubs have to offer, you may want to consider tubs that have jets and other amenities designed to provide additional health advantages. Once you decide what you want, you can look for tubs with those features that fall within your budget. Some add-ons may also require additional steps during installation, so make sure you account for that as well when planning your timeline.
Investigate Needed Infrastructure
Installing a walk-in tub isn’t as easy as pulling out the old tub and dropping the new model in place. In fact, there may be some substantial infrastructure amendments that may be necessary to get your new walk-in tub installed and operational. That’s why it’s a good idea to consult with a plumber before making a purchase so that you can get an idea of the scope of the installation project and its associated costs. You don’t want to be surprised by any unseen costs that you may incur during installation, so speaking with a plumbing professional ahead of time will give you an idea of what your full cost may be for the project.
Installing a walk-in tub can help you safely age in your home instead of moving to a senior community. It can help you extend your independence while maintaining the convenience of the average household bathroom. To learn more about the things you should consider when purchasing a walk-in tub, contact Safe Step Walk-In Tub Company at (800) 989-5101.
