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Seniors Are Afraid to Take a Bath ... and for
Good Reason!
Amazing New Walk-in Bathing Technologies Can Save Money and
Keep Seniors Living Independently for Life
www.AmazingWalkinBathtubs.com |
 In 2002, my Mother fell in
the bathroom and broke her hip. I was not prepared for the downward spiral her health went through
following that fall. The hip injury set in motion what I now know to be a very common pattern of health
problems that directly led to her dying in a nursing home in 2004. My 87 year old Dad made it clear, “I
will never go into a nursing home!”
As a result, I have spent three years interviewing hundreds of seniors and their caregivers, and
researching all available products and technologies learning how to keep seniors “aging in place”
safely. When I learned of walk-in bathing technology, I was amazed and fascinated. But, I knew nothing
about them. So, I researched and analyzed every walk-in tub I could find (including recently tubs from
China), in order to learn how to determine which product was right for a given situation, which one's were
high quality and which were not.
I have come to believe walk-in bathing technology is, without question, the single most important
"first step" to being able to live, and thrive, independently in place for as long as you chose.
Let me share with you the general problem and the three most serious issues every senior who wants to
age in place needs to address. I will also discuss how walk-in bathing technologies can help alleviate
them.
The problem.
As we age, our strength, stamina and flexibility diminish. We eventually face a range of bathing issues
that did not exist when we were young. However, our bathing environment stays the same. We don't remodel
our bathrooms to incorporate technology to eliminate the dangers.
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.
Let's 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 - Walk-in bathing appliances have high side walls and a door that permit 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 - 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 - Every injury or illness can financially devastate a senior's savings and financial
stability. Health care costs are soaring. Many long-term care insurance companies are going under. With my
Mom's 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 - 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. As we age, we often don't 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
senior's health, relaxation and sense of wellbeing. High quality walk-in bathtubs offer the option of
hydrotherapy (not dangerous jetted “hot tubs”). Art Linkletter (currently 95) once told me: “Some
people are more afraid of being old than they are of dying,.. The important thing is to have a positive
attitude and exercise.” 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: "Knowledge is Power!" 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.
***********************
George E. Bentley, JD is known as the "Consumer's Attorney and Advocate" and author of
“The Ultimate Guide to Bathroom Safety for Seniors”. He co-founded The Amazing Walk-in Bathtub
Company to help seniors learn about bathing technologies. They will gladly answer your questions for FREE
and will be honored to help you work through your education and decision-making process. They can be
reached by e-mail at Info@AmazingWalkinBathtubs.com or
phone at 800-688-0055. The company website is www.AmazingWalkinBathtubs.com. |
