Almost every home in America has a tub-shower combo somewhere. They provide a convenient bathing solution that allows you to choose whether you want a quick shower or a long, hot bath, and many people enjoy having both options always available to them. But if you have reduced mobility, is it possible to make your tub-and-shower combo accessible to you? Keep reading to learn what it would take to make this happen.
Installing a Door
One of the main problems with a standard tub (or the tub in your combo) is that the wall is extremely high. This is difficult for those with reduced mobility to step over. To provide a lower entry step, you would need to install a door on the side of the tub. Conversion kits do exist so that you can add a door to your existing tub, so it’s something you could reasonably consider. However, it’s just the first thing you would need to do.
Adding an Accessible Seat
The next issue you need to tackle is the seating situation. Showering requires prolonged standing and careful balancing while bending to wash, which can be difficult for someone with reduced mobility. But bathing in a standard tub requires you to sit on the same level as the ground; lowering yourself into and raising yourself out of such a low seated position can be extremely difficult if you lack strength in your core, legs, and/or arms.
One potential solution to this is a bathing bench. These benches rest at the level of the tub’s wall and extends out over the floor. This means that you can sit on the bench, then slide yourself over the tub wall, effectively tackling the entry problem and seating issue simultaneously. This is great for showering, but because of where the bench must rest, it means you can’t take a bath. Essentially, a bathing bench turns your tub-shower combo into just a shower for you.
Storage and Safety Bar
The next two problems to face are slightly smaller and easier to deal with. They include safety bars and accessible storage. If you can’t easily stand up and reach for the items you need, many traditional storage methods (like over-the-showerhead hanging racks) won’t work for you. You’ll need to have a shelf or something similar within easier reach. You’ll also need to add safety bars both inside and next to the tub-shower combo to help you balance as you get in and out.
There’s really no perfect way to adapt an existing tub-and-shower to be accessible. A much better option is to purchase a walk-in tub-shower combo, which deals with all of the issues mentioned above and provides a safe, accessible bathing solution.
