Walk-in Tub Alternatives and Installation

Walking tubs are excellent options for seniors aging in place. They increase their bathroom safety, making it easier to access their bathtubs without the risk of falls, which increase as we age. But they’re not always ideal if you have a tight budget or a small bathroom. Fortunately, there are alternative options available to enhance your bathroom’s accessibility without incurring a significant expense. Read on to discover more about walk-in tub alternatives and installation options.

If you or a family member needs assistance with bathing but don’t want to hinder their independence with a full-time caretaker, and walk-in tubs don’t fit your space or financial needs, it’s time to explore other, less expensive options.

Common alternatives to walk-in tubs to increase bathroom accessibility 

The following options include walk-in tub alternative kits, grab bars, and slip-resistant treatments. As they’re more affordable upfront, involve fewer modifications to your bathroom, and are less complex to install. Hence, you can often install them by yourself in a couple of hours, saving you the labor costs required for larger installations.

1. DIY tub-to-shower conversions

Traditional walk-in showers are no less costly than walk-in tubs. Fortunately, pre-made conversion kits are available, making them one of the most affordable walk-in tub alternatives and installations. These DIY kits allow you to create a low-threshold entry on your tub yourself, saving on remodeling and hiring costs. Then, you can complement it by installing shower heads and curtains, which are sold separately. If plumbing work is required, ensure it’s done safely and in accordance with local guidelines.

For instance, a shower head installation ranges from $174 to $446 per head in the U.S and between $935 – $1,310 in Canada. Meanwhile, The Step Through Store’s conversion kit costs $250, regardless of size. Hence, in general, using a conversion kit can be a more budget-friendly option than full bathroom remodeling

If you’re looking for affordable walk-in tub alternatives and installations to enhance your bathroom’s safety, tub-to-shower conversion kits are excellent options.

2. Grab bars

Grab bars provide a secure handhold that helps seniors maintain their balance and reposition themselves. While bathing or showering, preventing slips and falls that can result in serious injuries and even hospitalization. This way, they’re great walk-in tub alternatives for seniors who can still walk without supporting aids such as canes. As they still conserve their balance and enough strength to hold themselves.

You can install grab bars in the tub (tub-mounted) to help them enter and exit the tub, and in the walls (wall-mounted) to provide extra support while standing and exiting the tub, or near the toilet. Hence, if you consider that your elderly can still use the bathtub without many inconveniences, grab bars are excellent walk-in tub alternatives and installation options.

3. DIY walk-in tub alternative kits

Some tub-to-shower conversion kits also allow you to modify your existing bathtub to create a lower entry point. Making it easier to step through. They follow the same principle of removing a portion of your tub’s front wall to lower the entry point, reducing the need to lift the leg and the risk of falls. Still, instead of converting it into a shower, you install a tub-conversion cover that seals the entry and allows you to use it as a tub again.

Thanks to their DIY approach to installation, these kits are becoming increasingly popular walk-in tub options. Especially for those seeking to save on costs and time.

Find affordable walk-in tub alternatives and installation options in The Step Through Store.

Dedicated to helping homeowners across the USA and Canada improve their bathroom’s safety and accessibility to care for their senior parents and grandparents. We’ve ensured you can find all the bathroom safety products you need in our online store. 

From walk-in tub alternative kits to curved shower rods for your brand new walk-in shower. All you have to do is visit our website and receive your order right at your doorstep.