Three major health problems plague the disabled due to immobility. All of them can be improved and overall quality of life enhanced with a walk in handicap bath tub.

Mobility is a major issue for those with disabilities. When the ability to move around and perform one’s own activities of daily living (such as eating, walking and bathing) is hampered in an individual; other problems can arise further incapacitating the person.

A walk in handicap tub can be a saving grace for those whose mobility problems prevent the accessing of a traditional bathtub. When a person cannot access a traditional bathtub, bathing in bed may become the main means of performing personal hygiene activities. Over a long period of time, this is not a thorough hygiene routine in many cases. Maintaining personal hygiene in those who are disabled (particularly those with mobility problems) is critical to overall optimum health.

Health Impacts From Not Having a Walk In Handicap Bathtub

Decreased Skin Integrity

Your skin’s integrity refers to the skin in its entirety as an organ (your skin is actually considered your largest organ). The skin needs to remain complete and together (with no cuts, abrasions or openings) in order to protect your body from invasion by microbes (germs). When skin lies against itself the skin becomes too wet (from sweat) and breakdown occurs (sores). Once sores are present, germs have a means of gaining entry to the body.

By keeping the skin clean through thorough cleansing (like what is achieved by complete exposure to water in a walk in handicap tub); you can decrease the amount of germs present on the skin and rinse away sweat (or urine) that can cause skin irritation (known as diaper rash in babies).

Systemic Infection

Once the skin has developed breaks in the skin, microbes that are normally found in non threatening quantities on the skin surface, begin entering the body. This gives the microbes an environment that is conducive to their growth.

The germs set up colonies and multiply rapidly. When the germs gain enough numbers that the body cannot defend itself, the infection can spread to other places such as the blood stream and surrounding tissues. Infections can become life threatening; especially to those with a weak immune system (often disabled persons will fall into this category if their disability affects their movement capabilities).

Circulatory Problems

When a person has limited ability to move about freely; the blood is not pumped through the body as well. A walk in handicap bathtub model may have features that can improve circulation through the use of hydrotherapy.

Certain models have additional features (usually at an additional charge) that you can add to your walk in handicap tub; turning it into a whirlpool. Hydrotherapy is proven to stimulate circulation. Immersion in moving water may help prevent other serious circulatory problems (such as blood clots) from worsening or developing.

If you have a disability (or any other medical illness) you should consult your physician to make sure you are able to withstand a walk in handicap bathtub and whether or not it would it benefit your conditions (or eliminate other problems from forming).

If your health care professional agrees, in some cases health insurance may help defray some of the cost. All insurance companies are different and financial assistance is never guaranteed without first checking with your individual insurance.