Tell me everything i need to know about accessible baths

[KatyMac]

I dont need one yet but im fairly sure I will

Im moving into a new house and fitting a tiny ground floor bathroom in

So im considering an accessible bath

What does everyone think? Any advise or warnings?

If you're looking at a bath seat to go up and down, be aware that they often don't go to the bottom of the bath because the motor is under the seat. It means if you plan to soak in the bath you need more water than usual. Or you can't get deep enough.
The manga bath lift inflates so if you can cope with the noise of the compressor, you can get onto the base if the bath.

If you're sharing the bath, someone else may want to lift out your bath lift on a daily basis and they're heavy things.

It would be hard to create a wet room with a free standing bath because your bath will need to be bolted through the floor through the wet room tanking. It's possible, but you'll need careful management of Slopes and levels plus a large space to ensure no water from the shower could reach the bolts for the bath.

Can you go to a showroom that has an Omni tub?
My friend lives in a traditional tenement flat with a long skinny bathroon. The Omni is under the window with a shower above. It is the most perfect arrangement for her layout. She’s in her 20s so can spring in and out but for those less agile I tested it!
You sit on the edge. Next your swing legs over then you can stand up in bath and get yourself down on bath floor just as you would normally. Best to go see one!

freestanding shower and fold away seat

Can't have a shower @beigetriangle

Thanks for the info about the freestanding bath @FredbassetOT I was thinking something more temporary, maybe? Maybe not?

@Rockfrock the omni i was looking at had a seat, is that what you were looking at? I thought step to bath seat (built in) swing my legs, stand up ( on the integral seat), then step down - i'd love to find a showroom.....

My friend’s has no seat and is square. Probs 900 x900 or 1000 x1000. Literally the space of a shower tray.
Surely Omni ‘s sales team can find you one in your area?
A seat would definitely future proof it but don’t the seats mean you need more water? I don’t know enough to advise you further.

My daughter has an inflatable bath lift. Very comfy, Similar to this (but there are several on the market):

This is the omni im looking at @Rockfrock

Thanks @youkiddingme ill have a look

There are various options to use with an existing bath, a hoist and track system, a seat that lowers you in and raises you out, or just hand rails.

Check with your council whether they have a service where you can be assessed by an occupational therapist.

Then you can look at options.

Not what you asked, but do you do any exercise to strengthen your core and hip flexors? Not being able to get up in the way you describe would concern me.

sorry, I didn't read the part about a shower not being suitable for you.
a relative had a fancy seat on top of the bath so she could sit down(slide over from wheelchair. it woyld lowe hydronically into the bathtub.
if i remember correctly, they had to replace the acrylic bath with stainless steel and the bathtub had to have straight sides not taper like the water saving tubs.

Exercise is tricky, I have me/cfs & fibro and of course im hypermobile

So the idea of gradually increasing exercise improving muscle tone is a complex one

I cycle as much as i can, but standing and walking are more and more difficult- menopause was a huge decrease in ability

In the bath its my hips, lower back and knees that are the problem - my arms can pull me up atm

I also fall (generally to the right) ive had an "old lady" falls assessment (embarrassing at 57) and unsurprisingly there isnt anything that would be a normal trigger

On the bath front, I can see i need more research

Thanks @beigetriangle & @sashh

Do you have a garden? Your daily soak might be more feasible in a hot tub or even a small sauna. They're expensive, but probably cheaper to run than 4 baths per day

The 4 baths has never happened!! It's too expensive in time, energy and cost!

But that is a thought, thanks

I went down a hot tub rabbit hole and after adding in therapeutic ended up with a japanese tub which heats up itself

That sounds amazing. I want one! It will be lovely in the winter under the stars

Its indoors apparently!!