Walk-In Bath

[hellywelly4]

Does anyone have any first hand experience of a walk-in bath? I am finding it more and more difficult to get in the bath and struggle to get out now, but I just don't like showers. I like to get right in the water so don't want one with a fixed seat in. I've only looked briefly on line but thought I would get honest opinions on here.

[MargoTester]

No personal experience but I saw this advertised in theTv magazine with the Mirror. It called bath mates Magic air cushion and it fits in you existing bath. It supposedly inflates and deflates at the touch of a button. Freephone line 0800 072 9898 for a brochure, company called Nationwide Mobility. Just google the name of the company it shows several alternatives. Hope this helps

[woofgang]

The thing with walk in baths is that you have to sit in there in the nud while the water fills and empties which can be chilly. You also don't get right into the water, take a look at where the door ends. The air cushion kind are okay if you have good balance as they wobble when they inflate and deflate but they are a so and so to keep clean...actually most bath aids are, the water and soap and so on gets in the creases and the crannies.
Steer clear IMO of the kind that are a wide strap on a roller that makes a sort of hammock seat. As you go down and come up you have to keep shuffling sideways....notice in the ads and youtube vids, you are never actually shown the thing working. It might be worth googling to see if there is a specialist shop near you where you can go and try out various kinds of aid to see what might suit you. When i was working I tried out just about everything in the market (without water) in a professional capacity, they all have their pros and cons, they are all heavy and messy to lift in and out of the bath if you need to and they are all hard to keep clean.

[knittynora]

Woofgang makes some good points. It's a case of trying everything available and deciding what's right for you. My dad struggled to get into the bath and looked at various systems. In the end he decided on a bath lift because as woofgang says sitting waiting for the bath to fill then empty again can be a bit chilly,plus other people use the bath. It was also the least disruptive as there was no installation involved. Who else uses the bath? What about visitors? My mum prefers not to use the bath-lift so takes it out. Walk-in baths are also a more expensive option if you're on a budget.

[TonyV]

Could you not get a wet room and sit under shower - you may be able to get. A grant whichever option you decide on

[hellywelly4]

Thanks for the replies. With a shower - it makes me itch! I think it's to do with the pressure of the water. I just like the lovely feeling a bath gives me and feel so much cleaner than with a shower. I think it's an age thing really. I wouldn't get a grant - I've never qualified for any benefits (not complaining, just a fact). I'll see if I can find a specialist shop locally (Leicester). A friend is going to fit a grab rail for me in a few days - I had one where I used to live but not in this new place (been in a week and sleeping for England!).

[TonyV]

If you don't already have grab rail St Johns Ambulance will supply one for free. We got ours from Leicester branch