Walk-in Baths

As an alternative to adding a bathlift or seat to your existing bath, you may like to consider changing the tub itself.

There are many baths available with a door in the side and built-in seat, which are much easier and safer to access.

Bear in mind that you will need to wait in the bath while it fills and empties, so check that both operations can be accomplished as quickly as possible!

This compact walk-in bath (above left) has a lightweight swing door, operated by a palm pad. It is designed for really small areas, such as cloakrooms, or even the corner of the bedroom, where a larger bath would not fit.

It has been designed to be easy and safe to operate.

Where space permits, a full length walk-in bath such as this one on the right, enables you to lie back and soak.

The light touch inward-opening door can be either left or right-handed, to make best use of the bathroom space.

A stylishly designed unit which combines bath and shower in one enables both facilities to be provided even in a modestly-proportioned bathroom.

The full height toughened glass door opens inwards, and there is a moulded seat and headrest for comfort and safety.

An alternative to a walk-in bath, here the side panel drops down to become a load-bearing seat, enabling access to the tub for both ambulant and wheelchair users, who could transfer across, perhaps with some assistance. Once the user is in the bath the side panel closes and the bath can be filled.

An optional feature which appeals to an increasing number of users, is hydrotherapy massage. Several suppliers now offer this in some or all of their walk-in baths. The massaging action of millions of bubbles can help improve circulation, ease aching muscles and provide some relief from the pain of arthritis or rheumatism.

A warm air body dryer (right) may be helpful for people with mobility and dexterity problems, for whom towel drying can be difficult. Painful skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis could also be eased. The dryer draws in warm air while the bath or shower is running, then expels it when required, to dry the body in minutes.

See also the bathroom products in the Professional section

Interested in making your bathroom safer? Visit our bathroom safety section