Let's take a realistic look at the impact traditional bathtubs have on seniors and the mobility challenged.
Reality #1 - Your bathroom is the most dangerous room in your home! Currently, 80% of all people in nursing homes are there due to complications from fall related injuries. Falls, sprains and scalds in traditional bathrooms account for the vast majority of these injuries.
Solution - Walk-in bathing appliances have high side walls and a low threshold door that permits bathers to enter without needing to lift their feet more than a few inches. Appropriately placed ADA grab bars provide personalized stabilization throughout this process. Once in, the bather can lower onto a raised integral seat - AND RELAX! There is no risk of slipping, falling, or trying to get up or down from floor level. Anti-scald valves, drains and accessories are within easy reach.
Reality #2 - Every injury or illness can financially devastate a senior's savings and financial stability. Healthcare costs are soaring. Many long-term care insurance companies are going under. With my Mom's hip, my parents spent over $30,000 in uninsured medical expenses, and, $8,000 or more, each and every month, IN CASH, for her nursing home care. Few can afford this.
Solution - Investing in preventative bathing safety products saves money and pays for itself. Even the most expensive walk-in bathing solution can cost far less than a nursing home stay. The investment in prevention and health is crucial to thriving in older age and preserving your cherished financial resources. Think of it this way, if someone is barely getting by financially,... they cannot afford to NOT invest in bathroom safety! As with my Mom, once an accident occurs, it is often too late,... and it nearly bankrupted my parents.
Reality #3 - Few mobility challenged have sufficient access to healthy, non-aggressive, whole-body exercise. Most diseases, like arthritis, diabetes, MS, joint problems, cancer and many others, are due to long term, low grade inflammations. Unresolved, these conditions worsen and can shorten life.
Certainly, pain and discomfort become more problematic. As we age, we often don't have any way to exercise, and stimulate our body to help cleanse the toxins and contaminants that lead to inflammation, pain and debilitating degenerative conditions.
Solution - Medical Hydrotherapy™ delivers sanitary, gentle whole-body massage, and can have truly life altering impact on a senior's health, relaxation and sense of well being. High quality walk-in bathtubs offer the option of hydrotherapy(not dangerous jetted "hot tubs"). Art Linkletter (currently 95) once told me: "Some people are more afraid of being old than they are of dying,.. The important thing is to have a positive attitude and exercise." Every single client I have raves about the relaxation, pain reduction and invigorating benefits they receive from hydrotherapy. Many report they are able to reduce expensive, harmful medications.
George E. Bentley, Esq. is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, and known nationally as the "Consumer's Advocate and Attorney." He is the leading expert on walk-in bathtubs, ADA guidelines and independent living issues in the US, and author of "The Ultimate Guide to Buying Walk-in Bathtubs". He founded Bentley Baths - The Amazing Walk-in Bathtub Company to help seniors and their loved ones learn about walk-in and adapted bathing technologies. He is proud to be an authorized dealer, factory trained or personally knowledgeable about virtually any product in the market. He will gladly answer your questions for FREE and will is honored to help you work through your education and walk-in bathtub decision-making process. They can be reached by e-mail at George@BentleyBaths.com or phone at 800-688-0055. The company website is http://www.BentleyBaths.com
