Safety and home
Walk-in tub
A walk-in tub is a bathtub with a watertight door in its side, so a person can step in instead of climbing over a high wall. It has a built-in seat and often grab bars. The person sits as the tub fills and drains.
Why it matters for your family
A walk-in tub can make bathing easier for some people. It has limits. The tub fills and drains slowly, so the person may sit in a door-closed tub until it empties. It takes space and costs more than a shower upgrade. AARP says Original Medicare typically does not pay for bathroom safety changes. Families often choose a tub before checking what the person can do. A walk-in shower with a seat and grab bars may work as well for less. A common mistake is to buy without an assessment. Ask an occupational therapist and get written quotes. Caregivers can help with bathing safely.
Source: aarp.org
Read more: Personal and advanced care
Related terms
- Home modificationsHome modifications are changes to a house that make it safer and easier to use for an older adult or a person with a disability.
- Grab barsGrab bars are sturdy handles fixed to a wall, usually in a bathroom, that give a person something solid to hold when standing, sitting or stepping.
- Shower chairA shower chair is a waterproof seat for use in a shower or tub.
- BathingBathing, as an activity of daily living, means washing the body by sponge bath, tub, or shower, and getting in and out safely.
- Fall preventionFall prevention is the set of steps that lower the chance an older adult will fall.
- Home safety assessmentA home safety assessment is a room-by-room check of a home for hazards that could cause falls or injuries.
