Tub Cutouts Near Me for the Elderly
Aging often brings increased difficulty in using the bathtub with each passing year. As your parents age, they may start to find it challenging to enter and sit in the tub, and lifting themselves to exit can become difficult as their muscles lose strength, which diminishes their balance. Thus, if you’ve noticed that your seniors can’t use the tub as well as they used to, you may be looking for a tub cutout online shop in the USA and Canada.
Tub cutouts are a great way to increase the accessibility of your current bathtub, making it easier for the elderly to enter and exit the tub without needing to replace it.
However, searching for easy-entry bath kits online can often lead you to two main options: a walk-in tub (if covers are available) or a walk-in shower. Although they’re both great options for seniors, they offer different advantages and features that may or may not best accommodate your needs.
Hence, before choosing what to do after ordering a tub-conversion kit from a tub cutout online shop, let’s examine each option in more detail.
Showers vs. Walk-in Tubs: Which Is Best for You?
When is a shower the best option?
You might opt for a walk-in shower for these reasons:
- Fast and more straightforward cleansing: The water from the shower head helps rinse soap, shampoo, and conditioners quicker than when soaking in a bathtub. It can also make it easier to wash all parts of your body as you’re not sitting against a tub that hides parts such as the back.
If your senior parent still has enough strength and balance to take quick showers standing, and they prefer showering, you can look for a tub-to-shower conversion kit on the tub cutouts online shop.
- Easier entries: Shower stalls are generally lower than bathtub sides. This way, seniors don’t have to step over high barriers, reducing the chance of falling.
With tub cutout kits, you can lower the rail of your bathtub, creating a starting point for a walk-in shower. However, keep in mind that easy-entry bath kits online usually don’t offer a complete installation, and you’ll likely need to hire a separate plumber to finish the shower installation.
- Versatility: Shower heads come with multiple water patterns and intensities to enhance the shower experience. In contrast, handheld showers allow you to direct the flow precisely where you need it, without needing to move or change positions.
When is a walk-in tub the best option?
If you and your senior family members still enjoy taking relaxing baths, consider searching for walk-in tub conversion kits in a tub cutout online shop. Some benefits of bathtubs for seniors include:
- Reduced slipping hazard: Besides lowering the entry point, once seniors sit in the tub securely, it reduces the risk of falling that comes with standing for long periods in a shower.
However, to ensure maximum safety, consider adding grab bars in nearby walls or over the tub edge. This can increase safety for your seniors while they sit and lift themselves out of the tub. Some tub cutout shops, such as The Step Through Store, offer grab bars and other safety products, allowing you to get what you need in one place, providing a sense of security and peace of mind.
- Relaxation: Another reason to consider a walk-in tub is the relaxation and muscle ache relief it can provide. Soaking in a warm bath can be a soothing experience, especially when salts or essential oils are added. This can help to ease joint and muscular pain, providing a comforting and relaxing experience for your seniors.
- Less stamina required: Some seniors may find it tiring to stand for an entire shower, which can lead to falls or joint pain. Sitting down on a tub relieves pressure from their legs and helps them have a relaxing moment in their day.
Regardless of your choice, you can take the first step towards an accessible shower or walk-in tub with tub cutouts.
Fast tub-to-shower conversions with The Step Through Store
The Step Through Store is a reliable and convenient tub cutouts online shop providing residents in the US and Canada with everything they need to enhance their seniors’ bathing experience. From tub-to-shower conversion kits and combos with QuickTub® Covers for walk-in tubs, to grab bars, shower rods, and other safety products, you can get what you need to increase safety and accessibility without leaving your house.
Take a look at all our bathroom safety products here!