Follow
Share

I am having trouble choosing a walk in tub for my mother. The best "How to Choose" page I have found is here: https://ellasbubbles.com/walk-in-tubs/how-to-choose/



Does anyone have any advice? I believe this company Ella's Bubbles allows you to choose your own installer so that is quite nice.

Given a choice I would go for a Zero Entrance or Roll in Shower and not a Walk in tub.
At some point even a walk in tub may not be possible.
A roll in shower can be used at any time and it can be used by anyone at any stage.
Appropriate Grab Bars for when a person is still walking and the shower is large enough for a Shower Wheelchair or a Hoyer Lift. And it is large enough for helpers to aid in giving a shower.

As to the walk in tub...not sure how I feel sitting in a tub as the water empties getting cold until I can get a towel around me. And the ones I have seen the "door" opening is rather confining so if there are mobility problems it is not easy getting in and out.
Helpful Answer (13)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

I HATE walk in tubs.
You have to sit there and wait to fill up the tub. When you are done, you have to sit and wait for it to empty. You have to shore up underneath because they weigh more than normal tubs and put the weight at an awkward concentration.

My folks wanted one in their bathroom, so we did it. They just used it as a shower with a seat instead of a tub...waste of money.
Crazy story... one time my Mom was sitting on the seat area and slipped into the lower area. Luckily it wasn't full of water, but she got stuck, and I had to call rescue services to help me lift her out of that area because the door opens inwards.
Helpful Answer (12)
Reply to Cashew
Report
Southernwaver Mar 7, 2024
Oh wow
(2)
Report
I did some research on these about 2 years ago. My conclusion was that it uses a ton of water (expensive), the senior has to sit in the tub and shiver waiting for it to fill up, then has to wait in the tub and shiver while it drains completely before you can exit it. Takes a long time to complete the bathing process. So, unless the designs have improved, I wouldn't go this route.

I vote for a zero-clearance roll-in shower stall if at all possible. This will not be an unwanted feature when selling the house like a walk-in tub would be.

And I agree, at some point the tub may not be able to be used by the senior if they can only get around in a wheelchair.
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to Geaton777
Report
Southernwaver Mar 7, 2024
They are HUGE. My neighbor had one that I saw at her estate sale after she moved to be closer to her daughters. It must use at least 50 gallons of water.

I much prefer taking baths to showers, but after I saw that monstrosity, I don’t think I would get one. It’s very clearly not something you would use every day. I wish I could have asked her about it.
(0)
Report
See 1 more reply
This is an after thought advice when it comes time for your Mom to sell her house. If she lives in a 55+ community, no problem, enjoy. If she lives in a regular subdivision or city, the next buyer of said house [young couple with small children] may not want a walk-in tub, so there would be a cost of removing and replacing with a regular tub/shower, or lowering the price of the house by that cost. Just food for thought.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to freqflyer
Report
geddyupgo Mar 7, 2024
Yep... I agree. Unless you have multiple baths in the house, a walk in does limit the pool of buyers unless you are in a 55+ community.
(3)
Report
See 1 more reply
Wish bathtubs/showers would come with a "self-cleaning" option.
Helpful Answer (8)
Reply to freqflyer
Report

One of my friends had one of those tubs installed about 10 years ago. She immediately regretted it - said the jets made her sore muscles even more sore - and said it was a lot of upkeep. She misses her shower.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to LauraL271
Report

My dad had a number of fellow senior friends who put these in their homes. All ended up hating home in a short time afterwards. They sat cold and shivering waiting for it to fill and then again after a bath waiting for it to drain. It took a lot of water and took so long it wasn’t worth the time or expense.
Helpful Answer (6)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report
NeedHelpWithMom Mar 4, 2024
Are they more expensive than a regular tub with jets? I realize that older people can’t easily get in and out of a regular tub.

Hot tubs are relaxing but they are expensive to own. I wonder how many people keep hot tubs that they win on game shows. 😁
(1)
Report
We haven't had a lot of talk on the forum about this for a long time,🤔 From what I can remember the people who loved their walk-in tubs made sure to get extra large drains so they emptied faster, another bit of advice is to look for models that allow a caregiver to easily reach inside to assist. And of course these appeal most to the people hate showers, and especially love soaking and using jets.

One other thought - for much less than the price of a walk-in tub and installation you can get a very nice bath lift for your regular tub
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to cwillie
Report
NeedHelpWithMom Mar 4, 2024
What is a bath lift? How do they work? Where do you purchase them?
(1)
Report
See 2 more replies
Different perspective... my dad had been disabled by a stroke. He preferred baths, so my parents got a walk in tub. My dad used it every day for 15 years, included the jet massage feature. Both my parents preferred baths, so my mom used it also (sans jet massage). She has mobility issues from a large lymphodema in her right leg from cancer surgery way back in the day. For my parents, it was a great choice because of their preferences and mobility issues. I didn't care how it affected the house sale... they had upgraded 0 items from when they built it, so it wasn't an issue to me. It all is added to what goes for mom's care now, and that is what's important.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Missymiss
Report

We live in a 55+ community and we considered buying a condo that had a walk-in tub. I'm not sure, but I think there was a second bathroom. I was excited at first but then after more thought decided against it. Here were my reasons.
1. My biggest issue... cleaning it! It would be cumbersome, trying to reach all the corners, with the small entry and depth. I even googled it and realized if you do not keep the jets clean, you may be dealing with related bacteria issues. I am not the greatest at cleaning our current bathrooms as often as I would like so I envisioned major stress added.
2. The issue of needing to get out in an emergency and having a delay while waiting for it to drain. I am also concerned that even without an emergency, claustrophobia may set in knowing I can't quickly get out.

Before I clicked post, I decided to check out the website for Ella's Bubbles OP included. IF I ever seriously considered purchasing I would definitely consider this company. I am sure I won't ever purchase unless money becomes no object to buy the tub and a maid to clean it! A lot of the objections seem to be addressed quite well under the FAQ section but sometimes it can look good on paper but not necessarily in real life. As far as installation there was this: we have a network of qualified installers that can help you.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to KPWCSC
Report
Southernwaver Mar 9, 2024
Good point, my friend’s house caught on fire from a lightning strike while she was in the tub! But was 40 years old so easily stepped out to run outside
(1)
Report
See All Answers
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter