Every year more than one third of senior citizens will take a fall in their homes, with some 80% of those occurring mainly in the bathroom. Bathrooms are exceptionally hazardous due to the many surfaces that can be so slippery. One place in particular which causes so many issues is the bathtub. Super slick surfaces in bathtubs make for poor grips and lead to slips and falls. Those who have limited mobility struggle the most here. Walk-in bathtubs make a great solution. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you set about installing a walk-in bathtub in your home.

Make Sure You Research Tubs

One tip that may seem most obvious is to do your research about the tub you want and that will fit your home the best. You will need to evaluate if you need a tub with wheelchair access, if you want one with a built-in bench, or any number of other features. Typically, the biggest benefit of a walk-in bathtub is that there is a door, with a tight, waterproof seal, which opens either in or out to help you easily step into the tub. Some tubs come with jacuzzi jets, special mobility assistance safety handles, or fold down seats. Grab bars and handle could be installed around a tub without these features, if you want a model that doesn’t feature them. Evaluate your space and your needs; it’s a good idea to also consult a specialist or your doctor to properly understand your needs.

Ask Your Friends and Family

Many people, particularly if you are a senior citizen yourself, have friends who may have already installed a walk-in bathtub. Ask around; there are bound to be people in your life who have used or who have their own walk-in tub. For those who may not know someone with their own walk-in tub, however, you can always do plenty of research online. This is pretty similar to the first point: check online reviews of different bathtubs. Once you understand your needs and have evaluated your wants and balanced these against a budget, then set about figuring the best bathtub for you by looking at product customer reviews on at least three different websites.

Budgeting

Remember to set a budget and stick to it! As in any aspect of our lives, budgeting is often the hardest. But you’ll find that in your search for your personal Goldilocks tub that is just right for you, you will be much happier in the long run if you set up a generalized idea of what you want and how much you can actually afford. This will even be beneficial because it will help you weed out tub candidates! While it is highly beneficial to have a walk-in bathtub, it doesn’t make sense to go completely broke over it. Be aware of what you really need and what will best fit your personal tastes, style, and financial situation.

Whether you are taking in your older parents who need a little extra assistance, or you have found yourself struggling to move about with ease, there is plenty of help available to you. There are a number of small safety devices you can add to your home or even to your bathroom, a dangerous environment even when you have a perfectly healthy body. So here are just a few extra ways to make your bathrooms safer for those who need just a little extra assistance.

1. Support Bars. No assistance-friendly bathroom could hope to call itself as such without support bars everywhere. Support bars provide a solid point of help to anyone who needs them. It’s a good idea to have one next to the toilet and one in your shower, at the very least. It is best to always install your support bars horizontally because diagonal bars can actually increase the chance of someone slipping.

2. Skid proof trouble surfaces. We’ve all slipped while stepping out of the bathtub before, it’s as inevitable as taxes. It is an excellent idea to be sure and skid proof your bathroom. Get rubber mats with slip-resistant surfaces to help reduce the chance of slips when you step out of the shower. Another good product to get is safety treads for the tub itself. These are relatively inexpensive and take only a few minutes to apply to the bottom of your tub. These add texture to the tub’s otherwise slick surface and they will significantly reduce the chances of anyone having an accident.

3. Shower seat. This is typically just a small, fold-out bench that can be anchored directly to the wall and then unfolded when needed. This accommodating bench will be great for those who cannot stand for long periods of time. There are also shower chairs for a removable option.

4. Raised toilet seats. Often it is difficult for seniors to lower or raise themselves any sort of significant distance. One thing to consider is that toilet seats are often fairly low. You may want to look into getting safety equipment for your toilet, especially a raised seat that will add several inches to the toilet, making it easier for you senior to access. These toilet boosters usually include additional safety railings for installation immediately around the toilet itself, rendering further aid.

5. Adequate Lighting. This may not immediately grab your attention as being a safety requirement. However, adequate lighting can go a long way toward helping seniors who may not be able to see as well. Good, strong lighting will help them to be able to see any obstacles in their way and more easily see the edges of any steps or rugs.