Many seniors are embarrassed to acknowledge that they have these problems. Often, they would rather ignore them. Few spouses, or grown children ever observe the gyrations and stress that many seniors experience as they quietly struggle to bathe in the privacy of their bathrooms. We tend to ignore the problem until a senior is injured and forced into assisted bathing. I believe that walk-in bathing appliances offer the ability to delay this result for many years, perhaps forever.Letâs take a realistic look at the impact traditional bathtubs have on seniors.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 â 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 â 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 â Every injury or illness can financially devastate a seniorâs savings and financial stability. Healthcare costs are soaring. Many long-term care insurance companies are going under. With my Momâs 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 seniors 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 â Few seniors 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 donât 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 seniorâs health, relaxation and sense of wellbeing. High quality walk-in bathtubs offer the option of hydrotherapy (not dangerous jetted âhot tubsâ). Art Linkletter (currently 95) once told me: âSome people are more afraid of being old than they are of dying,.. The important thing is to have a positive attitude and exercise.â 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. My Mother always told me: âKnowledge is Power!â We MUST make bathrooms safer, and do our best to prevent injuries from ever happening. Once an injury occurs, it may be too late, like it was for my Mom. You cannot live independently until you have resolved bathing issues for the long-term. Knowledge of bathing technologies, like walk-in tubs, can empower you to take control of your intention to live independently for as long as possible.
Tags: Afraid, Bathe, Bathroom, Good, Part, Reason, Seniors
