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It can be hard to bathe when you are elderly disabled, or overweight. People often buy bath aids such as chairs, wall bars, bathtub rails and showers that attach to the tub spout.
Although bath aids can be beneficial, they often don't meet the needs of bathers. Most are band aid solutions and do not use universal design or barrier free design principles.
Bath aids merely muddle through barriers -- that's why they are called "band aid" solutions.
A conventional bath or shower is a barrier for many. The step-in height can be as high as 23".
A bath bench or grab bar on the wall or tub wall does not eliminate this barrier and is unsafe. We must remove the barrier which impedes one's ability to perform safe bathing.
Bath aids for the elderly and disabled are fine as long as they are used with barrier- free products. Seabridge walk-in baths and slide-in baths are designed to address the barrier itself. We remove existing bathtubs and showers completely and install a bathtub that is no longer a barrier.
Bathtub design has virtually been unchanged since the early 1700's; showers unchanged since the early 1800's. They were not designed to be barrier-free and don't become so by installing bath aids.
Eliminating barriers contributes to the safety and security of individuals with unique bathing needs.
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Before Picture - Unsafe
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After Picture - Safe
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Extent of the Problem
Understanding that dangerous situations exist is the first step. Once understood, professionals and care providers will change product specifications for individuals and commercial developments.
Elderly Male Creates His Own Bathing Aids:
Safety and Comfort After Installation of a Seabridge Walk-in Bath
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- Effortless transfer in and out of the bath
- Safe and easy access to controls
- Protection against scalding and burns
- Easily able to raise and lower oneself
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