The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: aging with dignity

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Walk-in Bathtub 101

Slips and falls in bathrooms are not uncommon. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control, “An estimated 234,000 people ages 15 and older were treated in U.S. emergency departments in 2008 for injuries that occurred in bathrooms. Four out of five of these injuries were caused by falls—which can have especially serious consequences for older adults. Almost one-third of adults aged 65 and above who were injured in bathrooms were diagnosed with fractures. Among adults aged 85 and older, 38 percent were hospitalized as a result of their injuries.”

For some people, and especially the elderly, climbing into and out of a traditional tub can be quite challenging. Knee and hip problems can make it extremely difficult to get into and out of a traditional tub. The floor surfaces can be slippery and there may not be anything to grab onto to retain proper balance. With one wrong move, a person can end up on the floor with a broken hip or other injury.

With old fashioned tubs, you have to sit all the way down on the bottom to take a bath. When the shoulders and knees get creaky due to arthritis and other ailments, the simple act of sitting down in a bathtub can become difficult. With a walk-in tub, you don’t have to lower your whole body to the bottom of the tub. Instead, you just sit down on a built-in chair.

As the average lifespan has increased, there has been an increasing need to make homes safer for people as they age. Walk-in bathtubs have become very popular because they reduce the hazards associated with taking a bath. With a walk-in bathtub, there is no need for climbing. You just swing the little door open, step in, and shut the door.

Common features for walk-in bathtubs.

Built-in shower seats: Most seats are chair height and have a textured surface to prevent slippage. This enables the user to bath more safely. Getting up from the built-in seat is much easier than pushing oneself all the way up from a standard tub floor.

Textured floors: Most walk-in tubs have a textured floor to reduce the likelihood of slipping. Buyers should beware of any model that doesn’t feature a non-slip floor.

Grab bars: Walk-in tubs usually come with one or more grab bars. These help the bather to retain stability while bathing and while getting up, sitting down, and getting in and out of the tub. In some cases the grab bars can be configured based on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed.

Watertight door: Most walk-in tubs have doors that open inward. Some manufacturers offer a door that opens outward as an option. This can be helpful to people who need to move from a wheelchair to the shower seat.

Handheld shower system: Most walk-in bathtubs have a handheld shower-head located near the faucets.

Options

Depending on the manufacturer, a variety of options may be available. Hydrotherapy, which works with air jets, is available from some manufacturers. Whirlpool massage systems with water jets are also available. These options can provide a therapeutic spa experience to people with arthritis, leg cramps, or chronic pain.

In-line heaters are available to maintain a steady water temperature. Neck rests are optional from some manufacturers. Another option is a rapid drain system which can allow a tub to empty in less than two minutes. That way, the user doesn’t have to wait all that long to exit from the bath.

Sizes

Models vary in height from about 37 to 47 inches. The width is usually from 28 to 32 inches. The length is normally 60 inches, which is the standard bathtub length. Even though walk-in tubs are designed for walking into, there is a small threshold to step over. The height can vary from 2 inches to 7 inches.

Not all tubs fit properly into the space available in a standard bathroom. Walk-in Tubs can be customized to fit into the available space. Extensions are available so that there will be no gaps between the tub and the wall.

Installation

Professional installation of walk-in bathtubs is highly recommended. People use their bathrooms several times every day. The bathtub is normally one of the largest things in the bathroom. Also, bathrooms are configured in a variety of ways. If you’re considering having a walk-in tub installed in your home or in the home of a loved one, be sure to have it installed by a reputable company like Tub King. An experienced installer knows how to make your walk-in bathtub fit perfectly.

For anyone who has difficulty accessing their bathing area, a walk-in bathtub can provide a comfortable and safe bathing experience. Modern walk-in bathtubs have come a long way from the handicapped bathtubs of the past. If getting into and out of a traditional bathtub has become challenging to you, a walk-in tub could be the solution. With a walk-in bathtub, you'll be able to move around more safely. Walk-in bathtubs are great for active seniors, elderly people, disabled people, people with limited mobility or anyone looking for a safer and more comfortable way to take a bath.

With a walk-in bathtub, you’ll also experience the healing effects of water on joints & muscles. Tub King offers Soaker models, Hydrotherapy models, and Dual Hydrotherapy with Whirlpool models. They’re built with marine-grade fiberglass and have a gel-coat finish to last a lifetime. They drain quickly, have easy to use controls, and require little maintenance.

Tub King has many great reviews and guarantees the lowest prices. In commemoration of National Senior Citizens’ Day, August 21^st, Tub King is offering special pricing on walk-in bathtubs. Call today to arrange a consultation with a bathtub professional from Tub King.

This article discusses the benefits of walk-in bathtubs for anyone who has difficulty getting into and out of a traditional bathtub. This article also provides information about the features of modern walk-in bathtubs, available options, and considerations related to the installation of a walk-in bathtub. If you’ve found this article helpful in any way, please post a comment and pass the article along to others.

Would you like to receive a free copy of our new ebook - Tub King's Ultimate Guide to Cast Iron/Porcelain Tubs, Walk-in Tubs & Safety Suite Showers? Fill in the form below and we will send it to you for free! It is also for sale and you can see/buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. In addition to providing superior products, Tub King has been honored with “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Awards” for four years running. If you would like to contact Alan Knight, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.

Five Ways to Appreciate Your Parents During Thanksgiving

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: businesstocommunity.com

No, I’m not going to preach a sermon. We’ll leave that to the priests, bishops, rabbis, deacons and other leaders of worship. But I do want to say a few things about taking action instead of uttering a mere words.

Unfortunately, not all parents deserve to wear the T-shirts that say, “World’s Greatest Dad,” or “World’s Greatest Mom.” There is much variation in the parenting skills among individuals. Some do a great job of instilling good character, strong work ethics, a passion for education, persistence to achieve, and a sense of patriotism and civic-mindedness. On the other hand, many should never have become parents in the first place. Thankfully, this number is in the minority.

Photo Credit: pamelaleefisher.blogspot.com

During the Thanksgiving holiday, let me suggest a few ways you might genuinely show your appreciation to your parents. H. Jackson Brown wrote, “Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do.” Don't that statement pertain to your relationship with your parents and other loved ones.

As our parents age, giving them our time might be the most precious gift of all. As parents reach their golden years, personal companionship with loved ones and friends becomes vitally important. This is especially true if one parent has lost their mate. Children and grandchildren may be their only family left. Many grown children are content to send their parents’ money, pay for their assisted living home, or pay someone else to spend time with their senior parents. But is this really what they need? Their golden years can be awfully lonely. Instead of calling your parents on the phone to say, “I love you,” why not make a surprise visit, for no reason, except to show them how much you care.

Photo Credit: boomerserrandservice.com

Take your parents to one of their favorite places. Maybe it’s a restaurant offering their favorite menu items, or shopping at the local mall. Yes, it may be inconvenient and difficult. They may have to be helped into the automobile. They might require you to help them with their walker or even their wheelchair. Or maybe there's a favorite activity you can share, such as playing cards, making music, cooking, playing with their grandchildren, etc. Sure, it might be time consuming and a slow ordeal for you, but what is it worth to them? Mark Twain once said, “Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often.”

Reminisce with them about the past. Many seniors spend a lot of time thinking about the past. That’s where their world is. The present may be too painful for them to contemplate, and the future uncertain. Memory can be a wonderful thing. If their mind is still sharp, they may surprise you with what they can recall. Strangely enough, even with dementia, many seniors can recall details of the past that will astound you. Why not pull down some old photo albums and recreate some special memories with them. It will take your time, but think about what you are doing for them. “The pleasure of remembering has been taken from me, because there was no one left to remember with,” writes John Green. Don’t let this describe the situation with your parent(s).

Photo Credit: sociologyinfocus.com

Invite them over for the holidays. Nothing is worse than spending the holidays with strangers or worse yet, alone. If your parents don’t live with you, you should invite them to your home for important holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, New Years, etc. Take them shopping to buy gifts during the giving season. The budget is not important, it’s the activity itself. What a great way to say, “I love you,” in deeds not words. Having mom or dad to sit around the fireplace with grown children, kids, grandkids, and other close family members are priceless. They will feel loved. Having somewhere to go is a home away from home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a true blessing.

Photo Credit: crunchyworld.com

If you’re buying a gift for your parents, purchase something that really makes a statement about how much you care about them and their well-being. I’m not talking about a shawl, fruitcake, a pair of pajamas or even a tablet. How about something that will give them a better quality of life? For example, my own mother has fallen many times. Each time makes her weaker and more susceptible to falling again. Statistics show that falls can cause serious head trauma, especially in seniors, and maybe even death.

Two of the greatest innovations to come along in recent years to create a safer environment for seniors, especially in the dangerous bathroom area, are Walk-in Tubs and the Safety Shower Suites. Each system has specific safety and ergonomic features designed for seniors and those who may have mobility issues.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

Importantly, both the Walk-in Tub and Safety Suite Showers allow your beloved senior to bathe without assistance. Each state-of-the-art product is specifically designed for easy access and egress, so your parent can feel secure as they enter and exist their bathing area. Both products are specifically designed for safety by providing grab bars at strategically located areas to facilitate movement inside the bathing environment. Both have special, non-slip surfaces. The Walk-in tub has a non-slip seat and the Safety Suite Shower has a variety of different non-slip seating configurations you can choose from. Our new Safety Suite Showers can accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and makes it easy for those with less mobility to get in and out of the shower.

For additional information about Walk-in Tubs, check out some of our previous blogs, including: “There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Walk-in Tub,” “The Number One Question Asked About Walk-in Tubs,” and others.

For more information about out new Safety Suite Showers, read “What’s New in Showers? Sophistication Today, Safety Tomorrow.”

Photo Credit: corbisimages.com

Tub King’s Walk-in Tubs and Safety Suite Showers both have proven to help seniors in so many ways. Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to show your love and appreciation to your parents? Family is not just about saying, “I love you,” it’s about who is willing to hold someone's hand when they need it the most.

In this article, I mentioned several different ways you can show your aging parents how much you care and appreciate them, including the gift of a safe bathroom and bathing experience. Ensuring they’re safe and can still maintain dignity and privacy while bathing themselves is one way to do it. Walk-in Tubs and Safety Shower Suites are the perfect gifts to show your parent(s) they’re foremost in your heart.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Walk-in Tub Door Sizes & Designs

If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you.

It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

On behalf of all of us at Tub King, here’s wishing you, your parents, and all your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Check Out Our End-of-Year Sale on Walk-in Tubs. Click Here.

Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

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Why do New Products Appear? Necessity!

By Kerry Knight

The new year is here and they are coming! You know what I’m talking about, the new and improved must-have's, can’t-live-without items seen on every TV, heard on all the radio stations, and plastered all over your internet search results. The new, must-have

Superbowl Ad on LG widescreen TV, Black Eyed Peas, (Photo credit: Wonderlane)

things!

Every day some hot new product appears in the market place. It's marketed as something you simply must have. How could we have lived without it for so long? We wonder where this product came from. However, a better question than "where" might be "why?"

Another combination of chocolate and nuts can't be that important. Putting out some new fragrance can't make that much difference in attracting your soul mate, can it? Most ads are just over-the-top. Just look at the Super Bowl ads. Pure entertainment! They may not sell, but they can sure make you watch.

Someone once said, "Necessity is the mother of invention." When the public needs something, someone will find a way to satisfy that need.

A few years ago, some marketers started paying attention to aging trends In 1900 in this country, there were three million men and women over the age of 65.

Baby Boomers Haven (Photo credit: thinkpanama)

By the year 1950, that number had quadrupled to 12 million. In 1980, it had doubled again to 25 million.

Today, as our senior population has grown to over 40 million, (that's one in eight Americans). That number is expected increase even more and will reach close to double that by the year 2030. At a total of over 72 million men and women over 65, that will represent twenty percent of the US population.

After looking at aging trends, someone decided to look for marketing trends. What do seniors need most of all? What are their concerns? How can we market to them?

A recent article I read stated that today’s seniors want something very different than their parents had. They want to feel and look younger. More importantly, they want to enjoy life more, stay active, be independent, and take better advantage of their retirement years than their parents did.

One of the greatest needs of seniors was how to remain mobile. This led to better walkers, wheelchairs and electric scooters.

Another was how to receive help with transportation, meals, housekeeping, and companionship. That led to the creation of in home health care and assisted living facilities.

Great strides have been made in medicine, nutrition and supplementation allow seniors to feel younger and be more active. This desire to be more active and independent also has a down side. Senior can still get hurt, and once hurt senior take longer to heal. This has lead to all manner of health and healing aids including aids for independent living.

Along the lines of independence living was the need for being able to bath independently in a safe and therapeutic way. How can I bathe myself without the fear of falling? Is there a way I can sit and bathe without having to get down into a conventional bathtub, with the awful strain on the back and legs?

In addition, there are a ways to add joy to the bathing process. By adding hydro (water) therapy, just like in a hot tub or Jacuzzi, you get therapeutic results without having to step down into a sunken tub and running the risk of serious injury?

Check out our Walk In Tub Buyers Guide, It's FREE!

When these questions came to the light of day, someone found an answer. The answer was the Walk In Tub. Remember, necessity is the mother of invention. When enough people need something and want something, it will eventually appear.

Today thousands are enjoying safe, independent bathing, with all the advantages of huge therapeutic tubs, but without the size constraints or huge expense. They come in sizes to fit exactly in the space where your bathtub is now. Moreover, they are affordable and provide a multitude of health benefits to sooth many ailments. You should be able to get a Walk In Tub with faucet, controls, drain, overflow, hand held shower, grab bar, air-jetted hydrotherapy, water jet whirlpool massage, inline heater, and free shipping for under $3000. Take the time to check it out for yourself. It might be the best thing that has appeared on the market for seniors in a long time.

In this article, I have discussed how the advertising industry hypes and exaggerates new products every year. It further goes on to explain why new products appear. They appear as necessities, items fulfilling people’s desires based on their needs. This article discusses the many needs of our aging baby boomer generation. The 40 million Americans looking to act feel and look younger than their parents did. It further goes on to tell how the Walk in Tub was born out of necessity to fill one of those baby boomer needs.

Walk-in Tub Buyers' Guide

If you found this article to be useful, please pass it on to your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, please leave it in the comment section below. If you would like to receive a FREE Walk In Tub Buyers Guide, click here. If you have a question, feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article. It’s been my pleasure sharing these tips with you. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Until next time.

Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award three years running. If you would like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.