When I read about the advantages of these very expensive walk in baths I have to admit, I am left unimpressed. I understand an elderly person or handicapped individual may not be able to use regular tile showers that have a large step up or a platform, and I understand they may not be able to use a wet room all by themselves, and I see that handicap showers often don’t offer much more than a wide shower area with a few chrome bars to hold onto.
But what I don’t understand is that the walk in baths are not flush with floor level, the person who cannot raise themselves 5 inches to step into the tub will need assistance anyway. Therefore these bath showers designed with doors and jets seem equally difficult to utilize.
It seems to me that for less than $2000 a shower enclosure or steam room or jet shower or massage jet and rainfall shower stall would work equally well for elderly and the handicapped. Even the Mataki showers or glass units with enclosures or the Kudos model built into large wet rooms or tiled showers could be very easily adapted to work very well a disabled showers without having to totally redesign the bathroom or purchase a very expensive walk in bathtub.
For example the Kudos has what they call the Ultimate Flat Panel Walk-In Shower Enclosure which comes in 1500mm or 1700 mm widths and are both 800mm deep. Both of these units have almost no lip or step and are practically flush with the floor and are available in corner options and left or right hand access. They are glass so would fit well with glass block showers and are less expensive than any walk in bath. Stall showers, like bathtubs, will require someone to aid the disabled, but someone who cannot stand or walk will likely have homecare or a family member to assist.
If in the end a walkin bathtub is what is chosen, then I would have to recommend the models that offer hydrotherapy and hot water jets or the Easy-Bathe designs where the water is temperature-controlled and has special modular seats with armrests and nonskid floors. If relaxing and soaking in a tub is the aim, then it might as well be comfy and you’ll have to pay the price.
