My mother in law lives in San Francisco. As far as mothers-in-law go, she’s a grand old gal. She lives in her own home and has managed just fine up to this point in time. Last year after my father-in-law passed away, she insisted that she wanted to remain where she was… in the same home they had shared for 50 years, in the same comfortable neighborhood.
We frequently make the 45 minute drive to her home, where we visit, do a few minor things for her and often have a good meal. About a month ago, during our drive back home, my wife confided that she had some worries about her mother.
“I think Mom should come and live with us”, she said. “She admitted to me that she fell last week getting into the bathtub. She was lucky she only got a little bruised but can you imagine what would happen if she broke something, like her hip? I’m not sure we could afford to get her into the type of care facility she would need for maybe the rest of her life. If she lived with us, we wouldn’t have to worry about her.”
I understood my wife’s concerns, but jeepers, I was not too sure that I wanted to share my home with my mother-in-law. We were quite happy on our own and now that our kids were out of the house, we were enjoying our empty nest. I love my mother-in-law but living with her was going to be quite another issue!
It started me thinking about things I could do to keep her in her own home and that’s when I remembered something I had heard about a while back… those bathtubs with the doors. I knew it would cost us a bit, but compared to the alternative of having the old gal fall in the tub and dealing with long term care, it seemed the best way out of a tricky situation.
So now I know all there is to know about walk in bathtubs, my mother-in law has a walk in bathtub and is happy, my wife is happy, and gosh, darn, I’m happy too!um2ykwrsec
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Walk in Bathtubs – Do You Understand the Concept?
We spend a lot of time at tradeshows and exhibits with our walk in bathtub line. One of the interesting facts we have gained from this experience is that many people do not understand the concept of a walk in bathtub.
We have come to the conclusion that unless you have had some experience with someone who needs a walk in bathtub, you just might not understand the concept at all…. so who are the people that need this type of bathtub?
As people age they find it increasingly difficult to lift their legs over the wall of a regular bathtub. Balancing on one foot to get in and out of the bathtub can be dangerous. In addition, it is difficult to sit on the floor to have a bath and difficult to get up from sitting on the floor. A slip or fall in the bathtub can cause serious injury and may lead to years of dependence on someone for assistance. It may necessitate a move from one’s home to a care facility.
The loss of independence is not only damaging to the person involved in terms of self confidence and quality of life, but it puts a strain on the health care system. A walk in bathtub can help retain the independence of an older person or someone who has difficulty with mobility.
The walk in bathtub makes bathing safe in 3 basic ways:
A very low step-in height to accommodate feet that do the “shuffle”
A door that opens and closes easily
A seat to permit the user to sit off the floor, as if on a chair
The bathtub cannot be surpassed for true personal hygiene; relaxation and the soothing of aching muscles and joints. If you have an aging parent, grandparent or loved one with a disability and you sense their struggle for independence and want them to be safe, you understand the walk in bathtub concept fully.
We have come to the conclusion that unless you have had some experience with someone who needs a walk in bathtub, you just might not understand the concept at all…. so who are the people that need this type of bathtub?
As people age they find it increasingly difficult to lift their legs over the wall of a regular bathtub. Balancing on one foot to get in and out of the bathtub can be dangerous. In addition, it is difficult to sit on the floor to have a bath and difficult to get up from sitting on the floor. A slip or fall in the bathtub can cause serious injury and may lead to years of dependence on someone for assistance. It may necessitate a move from one’s home to a care facility.
The loss of independence is not only damaging to the person involved in terms of self confidence and quality of life, but it puts a strain on the health care system. A walk in bathtub can help retain the independence of an older person or someone who has difficulty with mobility.
The walk in bathtub makes bathing safe in 3 basic ways:
A very low step-in height to accommodate feet that do the “shuffle”
A door that opens and closes easily
A seat to permit the user to sit off the floor, as if on a chair
The bathtub cannot be surpassed for true personal hygiene; relaxation and the soothing of aching muscles and joints. If you have an aging parent, grandparent or loved one with a disability and you sense their struggle for independence and want them to be safe, you understand the walk in bathtub concept fully.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Solving a Dilemma for Retirement Community Builders
The Canoe Club (http://www.thecanoeclub.ca/), a new development which offers residents all-inclusive living at its finest in Winnipeg, Canada recently installed 100 So-Lo Safety Bath tubs with Heated Shower Decks allowing full access for both bathing and showering. The Canoe Club is one of the many projects of the Caleb Group (http://www.calebgroup.ca/about.htm ), which is dedicated to the development, construction and management of retirement communities.
The needs of seniors are diverse and change over time. Builders of retirement facilities are faced with the question of whether to install bathtubs or showers in their projects. The Safety Bath So-Lo with Heated Shower Deck solves this dilemma by providing an accessible combination bathtub/shower that accommodates “aging in place”, providing a solution to the changing bathing needs of a lifetime.
The Safety Bath So-Lo with Heated Shower Deck is a traditional style bathtub with an accessible door and low entry step, providing a full length bath. The Heated Shower Deck provides a warmed area where the user can sit while showering if desired. The Safety Bath So-Lo is available for right or left hand drains and warm air massage is offered as an option.
The needs of seniors are diverse and change over time. Builders of retirement facilities are faced with the question of whether to install bathtubs or showers in their projects. The Safety Bath So-Lo with Heated Shower Deck solves this dilemma by providing an accessible combination bathtub/shower that accommodates “aging in place”, providing a solution to the changing bathing needs of a lifetime.
The Safety Bath So-Lo with Heated Shower Deck is a traditional style bathtub with an accessible door and low entry step, providing a full length bath. The Heated Shower Deck provides a warmed area where the user can sit while showering if desired. The Safety Bath So-Lo is available for right or left hand drains and warm air massage is offered as an option.
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