Is a Walk-In Tub Worth the Investment?

Walk-in tubs have become increasingly popular among homeowners, especially seniors and people with mobility limitations, because of their numerous safety, comfort and accessibility benefits. In this article, we explore the costs associated with a walk-in bathtub to help you weigh whether it is worth the investment.

What Is the Cost of a Walk-in Tub?

The cost of a walk-in tub will vary depending on the type and size of the tub, the features it includes and the material it is made of. Keep in mind that different brands will include different features and packages by model, and installation costs may or may not be included in the upfront price.

With Safe Step, installation is included with your walk-in tub quote, along with a lowest price guarantee and lifetime warranty, so there are no surprise charges or fees on installation day. Rebates, financial assistance and special offers can also make your walk-in tub more affordable.

What Are the Benefits of a Walk-in Tub?

Walk-in tubs can help seniors and those with limited mobility age comfortably at home and enjoy safer, more comfortable bathing. Investing in a walk-in tub makes it easier to save on costs associated with long-term care, at-home therapy, home renovations and moving or relocation.

Accessibility

With no high tub wall to navigate, walk-in bathtubs can make bath time more accessible, especially for those with limited mobility, disabilities and chronic pain or arthritis. Plus, the many accessibility features mean you may not have to invest in certain care costs like an in-home health aide.

Helpful accessibility features to look for include:

• Built-in grab bars
• Low-step entry
• Anti-slip surfaces
• Anti-scald technology
• No-strength locking handle
• Handheld shower wand

Therapeutic Benefits

Bathing in a walk-in tub can help improve circulation and deliver therapeutic relief from sore muscles and joints. Hydro massage jets target aches and pains, while aromatherapy essential oils and chromotherapy harmonize your senses to calm your mind.

Many walk-in bathtubs also come equipped with features like a heated seat or backrest to ease tension and keep you warm while bathing.

Aging in Place

The bathroom is one of the most common places at home where seniors fall because of slipping or tripping. For seniors looking to age comfortably at home, a walk-in bathtub offers a ready solution to one of the key areas of concern as we age: safety. Walk-in tubs and showers are designed to help improve bath-time comfort and safety with lower thresholds, anti-slip flooring and numerous convenience features, giving you more freedom and independence while bathing.

Installing a walk-in tub means you can enjoy safer bathing without having to move, do extensive home renovations or buy multiple pieces of safety equipment to maintain your bathing routine, such as non-slip mats or bath chairs. A safer bathing space could even help you stay in your home longer and avoid moving to a more accessible home or an assisted living facility.

What Are the Drawbacks of a Walk-In Tub?

A walk-in bathtub may not fit everyone’s lifestyle and daily needs. Let’s take a look at a few of the possible drawbacks to purchasing a walk-in tub.

Installation

Like many electrical and plumbing appliances, professional installation is always recommended for walk-in bathtubs. Additional construction, plumbing work and minor bathroom renovation may be necessary to install a new walk-in tub.

Doing the installation yourself requires complex knowledge of these electrical and plumbing processes. It could also result in a voided warranty and costly repairs and if done incorrectly. Ensure installation runs smoothly by choosing a walk-in tub that fits your existing bathroom and has a similar footprint to your existing tub.

At Safe Step, our certified installation team works quickly and efficiently while minimizing disruptions to your routine, completing 95% of projects within one day.

Water Usage

Due to their design and higher tub wall and door, walk-in tubs tend to hold more water (50 to 70 gallons for a Safe Step tub, occupied) than traditional bathtubs (30 to 60 gallons on average). This can lead to slightly higher water bills each month.

Cost

Walk-in baths have higher upfront costs than their traditional counterparts and are not currently covered by Medicare or Medicaid. However, walk-in tubs are a one-time investment for your long-term wellbeing, compared to the ongoing costs and fees of other care services. The total cost of your walk-in tub can also be offset by rebates, discounts and warranty benefits.

When you choose Safe Step, each safe bathing solution is backed by our lowest price guarantee and lifetime warranty. We also offer special pricing for veterans and a Helping Hands Rebate for people with arthritis, diabetes and other health issues.

Fill and Drain Time

For the door seal to be effective, bathers must enter the walk-in tub before filling and remain inside until the water drains. Fill and drain times may be slightly longer than traditional bathtubs, though newer models, such as Safe Step Tubs, use quick-drain technology and a rapid-fill faucet to minimize wait times.

To save time while bathing, you can also rinse off with warm water using the handheld shower wand. Hybrid walk-in tubs offer additional flexibility, allowing bathers to take a seated shower, minimizing or reducing fill times altogether.

Temperature Control

When shopping, look for walk-in tubs that include features that make it easy to stay warm while you wait, such as a heated seat and backrest. Using the handheld shower wand to spray warm water while the tub fills can also help maintain a comfortable temperature.

Are There Alternatives to a Walk-in Tub?

Getting the same safety and comfort benefits at home that a walk-in bath offers can be difficult. Shower seats, bath lifts, transfer chairs and similar products offer cheaper but often less accommodating and more cumbersome alternatives.

In-home care programs, assisted living facilities and nursing homes also make safer bathing possible through the hands-on help of caregivers. However, these often come at higher out-of-pocket costs, without always addressing the specific needs for safe, therapeutic bathing.

Safe Step Is Worth the Investment

It’s important to consider your short- and long-term bathing needs when deciding if a walk-in tub is right for you. At Safe Step, safe bathing is our specialty. From thoughtful product design to a best-in-class warranty and installation expertise, we make it possible to bathe on your own terms again.

Contact us today to request your free in-home quote and transform the way you bathe.