Although bath aids can be beneficial, many fail to meet the needs of individuals with changing and diverse needs. Most are band aid solutions and do not address universal design principles.
Bath aids merely provide assistance when dealing with barriers which is why they are referred to as “band aid solutions”. A conventional shower is a barrier for many people. The step-in height of these products can be as much as 23″.
Providing a bath bench or grab bar on the wall does not eliminate this barrier. To adequately provide for individuals with mobility related bathing difficulties we must remove the barrier impeding one’s ability to perform safe bathing. Bath aids for the elderly and the disabled are fine as long as they are used in conjunction with barrier-free products.
A walk in bathtub or slide-in bath is designed to address the barrier itself. The existing baths and showers are removed completely from the bathroom and a product that will no longer be a barrier is installed.
Bathtub design has virtually been unchanged since the early 1700′s and showers unchanged since the early 1800′s. These products were not designed to be barrier-free and do not become barrier-free by adding bath aids to them.
We must begin to recognize that barrier elimination will contribute greatly to the safety and security of persons with unique bathing needs. Realizing that severe situations exist is a first step in changing the way care providers specify products for people and commercial developments.
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