Why Bathtub Conversions are great for Senior Citizens
Accessible bathtub conversions help to improve the quality of life for seniors as well as people with different ability levels. The primary focus of these conversions is to prevent hassles of having to lift your legs when getting into and out of the showers. This allows you to calm anxieties that come with slipping and falling when walking into a bathtub.
It usually takes a short time to create a more accessible bathing experience with minimal cost involved as long as you create a solid plan and design. Some of the fundamental reasons why bathtub conversions are great for senior citizens are that they provide safety, convenience, and dignity to the elderly.
Benefits
Safety
Most of the accidents usually occur in the bathroom because it is a wet area prone to slippery surfaces enhanced by soap and water. Bathtub conversions provide an added advantage to the safety of seniors when getting in and out of the bathroom. It helps them transition safely while removing the hassles related to balancing in the shower.
As we age, the ability to balance reduces significantly, increasing the risk of falling. Walk-in features make showering and bathing easier for people suffering from mobility issues. It also lowers the level of slipperiness caused by soap and water. Users feel secure when bathing because bathtub conversions provide the necessary support needed in the shower.
Convenience
An existing bathtub can be converted to an accessible bathtub in a single day without the cost, time and mess of a full bathroom renovation. Bathtub conversions make it convenient for the elderly to access different items in the bathroom. Everything they want is always within their reach because the fixtures and fittings consider the individual needs of a user.
People who are aging or have different levels of disabilities have difficulties lowering themselves into a bathtub when they want to shower. These conversions make it convenient for seniors to access what they need without any limitation. It prevents straining the muscles or joints when one bends to pick an item such as a soap, towel, or paper.
Independence and Dignity
Senior citizens suffer from muscle and joint pains when performing simple tasks such as bathing. No one prefers to struggle when it comes to doing basic things such as going to the toilet or picking individual items and other stuff while in the bathroom. It is also hard to ask for help every time and the caregivers may not offer exactly what the elderly asks for. Bathtub conversions provide independence to the seniors and gives back hope to the person that they can do basic tasks by themselves.
Peace of Mind
Many seniors tend to avoid significant home improvement projects such as bathtub conversions because they do not want to cause major changes in their daily routine. Most of them may not want to tear out certain fixtures that have always been in the house because they purchased them a long time ago. They might feel comfortable with leaving things the way they are because they have a deeper sentimental value. Bathtub conversions may provide them with peace of mind since because they are modified in a way that the footprint, plumbing, and other materials remain identical to the elderly.
They can also adjust quickly because the safety features allow easier transitions to the showers. Over time, they get used to doing basic cleaning tasks by themselves without the risk of falling or the hassle of getting in and out of the shower. This gives them peace of mind because they can live their life with dignity and independence while staying at home.
It Makes a Home Livable Again
The walk-in bathtub is one of the best options to consider when helping a senior citizen. Doctors refer people with different ability levels to medical facilities because their condition does not allow them to stay at home. Furthermore, a caregiver may find it difficult to handle all their basic needs if there are no safety fixtures and fittings to support their mobility. Bathtub conversions and other renovations in senior bathrooms allow them to stay at home because the living conditions are favorable for their situation.
Elderly people may find the motion of getting themselves into and out of the bathtub, a painful experience as it causes a strain on their muscles and joints when bending. Bathtub conversions have mitigated this problem as they allow them to perform simple cleaning tasks with ease. They are an ideal option for senior citizens because they provide safety, convenience, dignity, and peace of mind.