Has anyone experience of "step in baths"? I really could do with some advice.
My 90+ year old parents are moving into a bungalow with a very small bathroom. It has only a shower and room to swing a very small kitten. (not that I'd do such a thing)
I need to fit a shower and a bath. My dad can't step into the bath so uses a shower. My mother hates showers and her aches and pains are soothed by a long soak.
A step in bath might be the answer as the door would allow my dad to walk in to use the shower.
I've been told that the door seals leak after a while and I should avoid them.
Help please. Does anyone know anything about step-in baths?
Have seen them but do not have much experience of them.
A good starting point maybe here
http://www.ageukbathrooms.co.uk/
Quote from: daveyboi on October 23, 2011, 01:07:18
Have seen them but do not have much experience of them.
A good starting point maybe here
http://www.ageukbathrooms.co.uk/
Many thanks for the link.
When I had my op for my knee, for some time after I could not use the bath as I had trouble trying to stand up again after. So I used the shower instead, as you state it does not relieve the aches and pains like a good soak so we invested in a steam cubicle with a power shower pump. I feel really refreshed and ache free after a session in there. They do all sorts of actions like hot and cold pulsing, just gently steaming, built in seat and side jets. Not cheap but neither is a walk in bath. It came as a complete unit and was installed in a day.
(http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/public/0bZanapX2qO63QL0VLjHW8jj3Na64MGxBmR622JW_Ca7eesJi-ADBOnLlawyhBs_mQD0cTpRDIhbNdcsQta477CozAlaTqgPrPfQUy5jINivQGH-27CgvQuLme2-S81sUXavaqb7FMzAeXEYb39TjnYqxpfeDBk3Z40)
You can also get an electrically driven belt which stretches across the bath, you sit on it and it lowers you into the bath. But you do need to be able enough to step over the edge of the bath.
I was manager of a Nursing Home for years and most of the residents hated using the step-in bath. It was difficult to get the temperature of the water right as it filled up, but maybe things have improved and there is a better valve to control the temperature. Ours only prevented the water running too hot. Also they did not like sitting in the bath naked while it filled up even though the bathroom was well heated. Managing the controls yourself can be difficult. We ended up not using it.
It would be a good idea if your Mom could try one. Any friendly nursing homes nearby?
I love a good soak so with your Mom on this. Would love the steam idea.
Quote from: Digeroo on October 23, 2011, 08:58:43
You can also get an electrically driven belt which stretches across the bath, you sit on it and it lowers you into the bath. But you do need to be able enough to step over the edge of the bath.
Stepping over / into the bath is the problem. Neither can. My mother has an electric seat which lowers and lifts her into a conventional style bath. She will take that with her when she moves.
My father needs a shower - presently they have a separate one.
Quote from: tomatoada on October 23, 2011, 09:42:58
I was manager of a Nursing Home for years and most of the residents hated using the step-in bath. It was difficult to get the temperature of the water right as it filled up, but maybe things have improved and there is a better valve to control the temperature. Ours only prevented the water running too hot. Also they did not like sitting in the bath naked while it filled up even though the bathroom was well heated. Managing the controls yourself can be difficult. We ended up not using it.
It would be a good idea if your Mom could try one. Any friendly nursing homes nearby?
I love a good soak so with your Mom on this. Would love the steam idea.
Thanks for this information - I had heard that too. Not nice waiting for the things to fill.
That wouldn't be a problem as I want the access door only for my dad to walk in to use the shower which could be mounted at one end. ;)
For my mother the door would be closed, the bath filled and she would go in, use the bath seat lift as normal.
I was concerned about how well the doors sealed and which manufacturers supplied step in baths.
Have you thought about a wet room.
My mum has one .It is fab. :)
Sorry just read the thread properly,no bath I am afraid.
Hate to mention it but for how much longer will your Mum be able to climb in & out of a bath. I had a wet room built when I moved with plenty of room to put a nice comfy garden chair if I should want to sit & soak for a while. The other benefit is that there is no change in temperature when you get out of the shower as the whole room is nice & warm.
Quote from: betula on October 23, 2011, 11:00:16
Have you thought about a wet room.
My mum has one .It is fab. :)
Sorry just read the thread properly,no bath I am afraid.
Thanks betula. We did think about a wet room but knowing my two lovelies they'd be sliding around all over the place. ::)
My mum said she'd give up her bath as she is happy to move to be living opposite us but we are doing our best to solve the problem. She does like a bath.
My latest thinking is to go for a Calypso walk in bath. It's "P" shape so would have room for a shower at one end.
It's like fitting a square peg in a....... you know the rest :-\
In almost every other way the bungalow is ideal. Being opposite our front-door is a huge gain all round. :)
Quote from: Poppy Mole on October 23, 2011, 11:14:13
Hate to mention it but for how much longer will your Mum be able to climb in & out of a bath. I had a wet room built when I moved with plenty of room to put a nice comfy garden chair if I should want to sit & soak for a while. The other benefit is that there is no change in temperature when you get out of the shower as the whole room is nice & warm.
No worries about mentioning "it".... there at the back of my mind most if not everyday & night... and back home again too. (Nearly every day I am away for many hours at a time and sometimes over night as well!)
We chose the new bungalow because I can see it from here - a few metres from my frontdoor-step directly opposite me across a side road. I can be there in a few seconds day or night.
It's
about the same size as my parents own bungalow (a mile away along and across busy main roads as well as short-cut cycle paths by bicycle). Lots going for the new place except the rotten bathroom!!! ::)
Thanks everyone - really do appreciate your advice. I need to get this right... position of washbasin & WC too...all in a tiny 7'x6' max space. Hope my parents will be able to move before Christmas.
PS You might ask about getting a grant towards the cost of the alteration. Someone on here would know the best person to ask. EG your Moms GP.
Quote from: tomatoada on October 23, 2011, 15:17:25
PS You might ask about getting a grant towards the cost of the alteration. Someone on here would know the best person to ask. EG your Moms GP.
Thanks everso much for this.
Funnily enough, whilst looking for info about shapes/sizes and types of step-in bath, I came across this link:
Disabled Facilities Grant (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HomeAndHousingOptions/YourHome/DG_4000642) and followed it though to my local district council site.
Unfortunately I think it would take ages to apply for and gain a grant even if my dad was eligible. It seems in my area, if not in all, the application has to be via an occupational therapist (probably via the GP). This is followed by an assessment, a survey then the application can be put in with details of the modification. After that I think there is a means test then the application is processed.
It states clearly that the work
must not be started until approval is secured. Knowing how fast things move in this area it could take 10 months at least.
We
hope to have the bathroom sorted and ready for use by mid November so my parents can move in before Christmas and the worst of winter hits. (Plumber, electrician, plasterer and tilers willing - they are a good lot!!)
Quote from: ACE on October 23, 2011, 08:27:10
When I had my op for my knee, for some time after I could not use the bath as I had trouble trying to stand up again after. So I used the shower instead, as you state it does not relieve the aches and pains like a good soak so we invested in a steam cubicle with a power shower pump. I feel really refreshed and ache free after a session in there. They do all sorts of actions like hot and cold pulsing, just gently steaming, built in seat and side jets. Not cheap but neither is a walk in bath. It came as a complete unit and was installed in a day.
(http://lh4.googleusercontent.com/public/0bZanapX2qO63QL0VLjHW8jj3Na64MGxBmR622JW_Ca7eesJi-ADBOnLlawyhBs_mQD0cTpRDIhbNdcsQta477CozAlaTqgPrPfQUy5jINivQGH-27CgvQuLme2-S81sUXavaqb7FMzAeXEYb39TjnYqxpfeDBk3Z40)
I think my mother might (??) like this but my dad wouldn't cope with steam as his breathing is a problem at the best of times.
It looks a flash job! I'll put it on
my list of needs for some years down the line (I hope!!) ;)
You just use the programme you want. Ordinary shower, or body jets, or just a steam room.
My wife will not use the steam on it's own as her hair goes really curly and she comes out looking like a picaninny. I joke there was a 'touch of the tarbrush' back in history. Not that I am worried and if she can take it as a joke, so can the rest of you.
The shower Ace shows looks fancy but in fact they are becoming quite affordable now. Many French people now invest in them. I think that sitting in a plastic chair under a nice hot shower might be as relaxing to your mum as a bath. I hate baths myself, I get too cold, I like a nice steamy shower!
I would highly recommend this company:
http://www.bathroomadaptations.co.uk/
We used them to sort out problems with an existing wetroom. They were very helpful and knew what they were doing. They do products only and installation in south east England.
Quote from: Morris on October 24, 2011, 12:06:34
I would highly recommend this company:
http://www.bathroomadaptations.co.uk/
We used them to sort out problems with an existing wetroom. They were very helpful and knew what they were doing. They do products only and installation in south east England.
Thanks for the link - I've contacted them to ask if they supply step-in baths.
While the bathroom is small, is there room in the bedroom to put a stand alone shower cubicle? I have had one for years in out utility room. You need about 90cm square, can fit an electric shower (new 10.5kw are miles better than the old ones) and an extractor fan above it to stop the bedroom getting steamed up.
Quote from: Aden Roller on October 25, 2011, 00:30:38
Quote from: Morris on October 24, 2011, 12:06:34
I would highly recommend this company:
http://www.bathroomadaptations.co.uk/
We used them to sort out problems with an existing wetroom. They were very helpful and knew what they were doing. They do products only and installation in south east England.
Thanks for the link - I've contacted them to ask if they supply step-in baths.
If I were you, I'd ring them (or speak to someone you know definintely has proper experience not a general plumber) to get advice. Rather than making an expensive mistake. If you are possibly going to use them to install a bath/bathroom, they will do a free site survey.
I speak as someone who trusted their, otherwise excellent, builder/plumber about installing a wetroom... :'(
Thanks everyone - the deed is done.
New shower tray, door, side panel, WC (higher one), wash-basin (higher one) and tiddly 1200x700 bath all ordered along with taps and waste fittings.
We could not dither anymore. Decided against step-in bath partly because the door was narrow and the step high. The cheapest was £2,000 (without thermostatic taps) so that helped the decision along.
Left the shop very quickly (not just because I needed to belt off to cook evening meal) but before I heard the price or we dithered and changed our mind.
What's done is done and if we've got it wrong we will simply have to work round it as best we can. ;)
This thread shows how splendid this forum is ! sharing information,helping folk.
Aden Roller I hope your parents are happy with their bathroom,we've just swapped our bath for a shower and while it's "a work in progress" I think it's a good decision
Thanks for that Macmac.
Everyone has been more than generous with their time and help. It is appreciated.
A lovely community to belong to. :)