If dementia has entered the picture before you purchase, a walk in bathtub may turn into a safety hazard. The situation would be different if a person had already become comfortable using the walk in bathtub before dementia began.
Here are some of the common problems that caregivers have observed when they have purchased a walk in bathtub for an aged parent with some level of dementia.
1. Closing the door can be too technical. A senior with dementia has trouble learning new skills. Long-term memory is often nonexistent, so no matter how many times you show him/her how to operate the door, the skill cannot be mastered.
2. Learning how to use a hand-held shower sprayer might seem like a simple task to most of us. To a senior with dementia, the task may be confusing, especially if the hose retracts into the wall.
3. Most walk in tubs use shower curtains to contain water during a shower. This can cause problems when a senior fails to put the curtain inside the bath. Water gets on the floor which not only makes a slip and fall more probable, but it can contribute to structural issues in the bathroom. The whole reason for buying a walk in bathtub is to enhance bathroom safety. For a senior with dementia, the anticipated safety features can be negated because a senior is no longer able to follow logical procedures in their bathing practices.
4. A senior with dementia may not realize that they have to have water in the tub before they turn on the hydrotherapy jets. This can cause the motor to overheat. Even with a protective heat overload switch the possibility of the fire is not completely eliminated. And certainly the motor may be burnt out.
5. If a senior prefers showering, a walk in tub makes providing a shower more difficult for a caregiver. Not only is it impossible to use a shower curtain, the high sides of the tub can cause caregiver back strain. This problem doesn't occur if the senior enjoys bathing, but you should consider the next point.
6. Bathing often creates a high level of discomfort for seniors suffering from dementia. Agitation is a common behavior. A senior suffering from dementia may feel claustrophobic. He/she may not have the patience for sitting long enough for the tub to fill, and may become very agitated waiting for the tub to drain.
7. If the door opens to the outside, the senior may accidentally open it in their anxiety to get out of the tub.
While a walk in bathtub is a wonderful solution for seniors and disabled individuals who do not have mental limitations, a walk in bath may not be the right choice if dementia already exists. Much depends on how much assistance the caregiver provides.
Most of the alternative options to walk in tubs, such as bath lift chairs, also involve assistance from a caregiver to operate when dementia is present. Some caregivers have found they like the ability to enter the bathtub as needed during the bathing process using a standard tub gives them. This is more difficult with a walk in tub.
Whatever your situation, consider the person who will be using the walk in tub. And consider the needs of any caregivers involved. You want your purchase to be one that you are happy with for many years to come.
Author Resource:-
Lee Hagan specializes in discussing walk in bathtubs. It is Lee's goal to help seniors enjoy the best years of their lives by matching the right walk in bathtub to their needs. Lee is committed to providing information that works for your situation, especially topics involving walk in tubs.
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