| What do the terms "Step In Tub" and "Slide In Tub" | | | | seat on a slide in tub is typically higher than the seat |
| mean? Walk in bathtub models differ in many ways, | | | | on a step in tub, with the seat set to fit the average |
| from the color of their shell to the number of deluxe | | | | height of a wheelchair or patient transfer device. The |
| add-on features. The way you enter and exit the | | | | door on a slide in tub is also wider than on a step in |
| walk in tub, however, is one of the most basic | | | | tub, to make it possible to roll directly up to your |
| differences, and it has serious implications for bathers | | | | bathtub and easily transfer by sliding yourself from a |
| who have trouble moving around. The terms "step in | | | | wheelchair or power chair onto the seat in your |
| tub" and "slide in tub" both fall within the general | | | | bathtub. The wide door also provides more space for |
| category of "walk in bathtubs," which is a term that | | | | a caregiver or loved one to help you transfer into |
| the industry has adopted to refer to any tub with a | | | | the bathtub, if you are unable to enter the slide in |
| door that enables easier access than a conventional | | | | tub by yourself. |
| bathtub. In both cases, there is a door on the tub | | | | Many slide in tub doors have openings that are |
| that you open before and after taking a bath, | | | | contoured to fit your legs while providing direct |
| removing the barrier posed by a high threshold on a | | | | access to the seat, a feature that makes it easier |
| traditional bathtub. | | | | for individuals in wheelchairs to transfer to the |
| "Step in" and "slide in" tubs may even have doors | | | | bathtub without any help from another person. |
| that open in the same direction, another major | | | | Almost all wheelchair transfer tubs are designed with |
| difference between walk in tub models. The two | | | | outward-swinging doors, since their larger doors |
| terms do not refer to any single feature of the tub, | | | | usually do not fit within the tub if they were to |
| but rather to the way that the tub is designed to be | | | | swing the other way. This has the added benefit of |
| entered and exited. | | | | granting all slide in tubs an emergency exit, a feature |
| Step In Tubs Require Greater Mobility | | | | that many step in tubs with inward swinging doors |
| In order to take a bath in a step-in walk in bathtub, | | | | lack. Choose a slide-in tub if you or your loved one |
| you have to be able to walk two steps to enter it. | | | | wants to take a soothing bath without being able to |
| First, you have to stand on one leg while you raise | | | | walk into a step in tub. |
| the other over the threshold; most thresholds are | | | | Be Sure to Choose a Model That's Suited to Your |
| between four and nine inches high, roughly the height | | | | Needs |
| of a standard stair step. Then you have to be able | | | | While you're shopping for a walk in bathtub, you may |
| to stand on the leg you just stepped into the tub | | | | notice that "slide in" walk in bathtubs tend to be a bit |
| with while you raise your other leg into the tub. | | | | more expensive than their "step in" counterparts. This |
| Finally, you have to bend your knees and lower | | | | is because outward swinging doors are more |
| yourself onto the seat behind you. | | | | expensive to build, larger doors are more expensive |
| Depending on whether your tub has an inward | | | | to safely seal, and wheelchair transfer tubs are |
| swinging or outward swinging door, you may have to | | | | usually larger than step in tubs. If you are confined to |
| maneuver your knees around the door in order to | | | | a wheelchair and are looking for a safe way to |
| close it and start taking a bath. Most walk in bathtubs | | | | bathe, do not think that you can save money simply |
| are large enough that you can use a walker or cane | | | | by purchasing a more economical "step in" model-step |
| to help you enter and exit the tub, but this is not | | | | in tubs were not designed to accommodate the |
| recommended because you are more likely to slip | | | | needs of patients in wheelchairs, and you will be |
| while placing your weight on something that is not | | | | settling for a bathing solution that's more dangerous |
| attached to the bathtub. Grab bars come standard | | | | in the long term. |
| on almost all walk in bathtub models, making it easier | | | | Whether you need a step in or a slide in tub, be sure |
| to enter and exit. Nevertheless, if you have trouble | | | | that you pay careful attention to exactly how the |
| lifting yourself up or walking the few steps it takes | | | | manufacturer designed the tub's entry and exit |
| to enter a step in tub, you should consider purchasing | | | | method. You are embarking upon a major purchase, |
| a slide-in tub. | | | | and you have to be sure that the walk in tub you |
| Slide In Tubs are Ideal for Disabled Bathers | | | | select will enable you to get in and out safely. With |
| Slide in tubs are designed to be entered and exited | | | | so many different walk-in bathtubs to choose from, |
| by someone who is, for any reason, unable to stand | | | | there's no need to compromise your safety and |
| and walk long enough to enter a step in tub. The | | | | comfort. |