Do you have an elderly relative who needs help while bathing? Perhaps you need temporary support after major surgery such as a hip or knee replacement? Walk-in showers with removable seats offer a safe bathing option for both the elderly or those recovering from an operation, but refitting a bathroom can be costly.
This article looks at walk-in shower designs from Independence Showers, a UK company that builds fiberglass shower cubicles that are easy to install and are affordable as they require no major rebuilding work.
Shower Enclosures for the Elderly
Many shower enclosures designed for elderly or disabled people have level entry shower trays or floors. This prevents someone with poor eyesight from tripping over the lip into the shower and also allows easy wheelchair access. In order for the floor to be level, however, floors usually have to be lowered or removed and tiles fitted or added to the existing bathroom; this adds time and cost to the new bathroom design.
A cost effective alternative is to purchase a fully waterproofed walk-in shower cubicle that simply requires plumbing to existing incoming water and waste connections. Choose a shower design with an innovative chair system and you have the perfect safe bathing solution for those requiring support; if aid is only required temporarily or the shower is to be used by able-bodied people too, the seat can just be removed.
Walk-in Bathroom Shower Cubicles
Independence Showers introduced their innovative walk-in bathroom shower cubicles in 2004. The innovation lies in the moving chair system, common to all the designs in the range, which carries the individual across the entry lip of the shower, avoiding any need to step over.
The seat itself has a spring-loaded locking system which ensures the chair is secured into position once in the shower; easy to use with a simple push down lever. The cubicles themselves come in a variety of designs as can be seen in the pictures below and, with no tiling or rebuilding work required, can be installed in a day or two. They can also be easily relocated if required.
Bathroom Safety for the Elderly
If you are unstable on your feet, a shower seat is something of an essential when it comes to bathroom safety. While cheap fold-up seats can be installed into an existing shower, they are often too small and the user may slip off the seat when taking a shower; they may also need replacing after a few years of use.
The spacious comfortable seat used in Independence Showers is built to last and will withstand constant use by someone weighing up to 350 lb or 160kg.
Best Walk-in Showers with Seats
If looking for walk-in showers with seats, take a look at the range offered by Independence Showers. They offer a cost effective alternative to expensive wet rooms or walk-in shower enclosures with level entry shower trays and may offer the best solution for safe elderly bathing, depending on budget and personal requirements.
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Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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