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Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in adults 65 and older. In fact, every second, a person in this age range suffers a fall in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[1]Keep on Your Feet–Preventing Older Adult Falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 6/23/2022. . What’s more, of falls that take place in the home, bathroom falls are twice as likely to lead to injury, according to a 2014 study in Injury Epidemiology[2]Stevens JA, Mahoney JE, Ehrenreich H. Circumstances and outcomes of falls among high risk community-dwelling older adults. Inj Epidemiol. 2014;20;1(5):5. .
Fortunately, installing a walk-in tub with shower, which features a low entry threshold and other health and safety measures, may help safeguard your loved one’s bathroom by eliminating the need to step over a traditional bathtub ledge and adding the convenience of a shower feature.
Read on to learn more about walk-in tubs with showers, including how they work, what they cost and some of the top brands to consider.
A walk-in tub is a home modification—often for older adults or people with limited mobility—that features a watertight, outward- or inward-swinging door, allowing the user to step over a low entry threshold. Removing the need to lift one’s leg over a high bathtub ledge reduces the risk of falls. A walk-in tub with shower also features a showerhead and, sometimes, a shower enclosure, which offers the user more options when it comes to personal care, including the convenience of showering versus bathing. Most walk-in tubs with showers are also outfitted with handrails and ergonomic seats for enhanced safety and comfort.
Someone using a walk-in tub enters via a low-threshold step and closes a watertight door behind them before filling the tub with water., But when using a walk-in tub with shower, there’s no need to wait for the tub to fill—simply shower as you normally would.
Typically, a walk-in tub with shower consists of the walk-in tub and a separate package that includes the preferred shower amenities—usually a standing and/or handheld showerhead and a shower enclosure. Depending on the company selling the walk-in tub with shower, either an independently contracted home modification service or a representative from the company itself will determine how to best install the tub in your home.
There are benefits and potential drawbacks to consider with walk-in tubs with showers:
The total cost of a walk-in tub with shower, from purchase to installation, varies significantly. The price of a walk-in tub can range from $2,000 to $20,000, according to Kohler, a company that manufactures walk-in tubs and accessories, such as shower attachments. A walk-in tub with shower combination would be considered a “specialty walk-in bath,” with a price tag of anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000, according to the company.
Standing showers and other shower features are considered upgrades or additional accessories to a walk-in tub—and therefore come with an extra cost. For example, a shower column kit sold by Ella’s Bubbles, a manufacturer of walk-in tubs, costs $460 in addition to the cost of the walk-in tub of your choosing.
Most Affordable Walk In Tubs in Industry
Maintain independence while enjoying therapeutic features from the safety and comfort of your own home with Ella’s Bubbles Acrylic Walk-In Bathtubs. For your free quote, click or call Ella’s Bubbles at 833- 419-2995.
The total price of a walk-in tub with shower is compounded by the cost of installation, which can also range widely. Factors that determine the cost of installation include the size of the tub (and whether any architectural modifications are needed to accommodate its size in your home), any electrical or plumbing upgrades that may be needed and whether an old tub needs to be removed, among other considerations. Kohler estimates the cost of installation to run between $2,000 and $8,000.
The only way to determine the true cost of a walk-in tub with shower is to select a tub and shower combination (with any other amenities or accessories to suit your needs and preferences) and consult a home modification service provider (or the tub manufacturer) to generate an estimate of the cost of installation for your specific situation.
Walk-in tubs and walk-in tubs with showers are not classified as durable medical equipment (DME) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), so Medicare typically doesn’t cover the cost of the tub or its installation. Some examples of DME covered by Medicare include blood glucose monitors and test strips, wheelchairs and oxygen concentrators.
If you qualify for Medicaid, financial assistance for walk-in tubs with showers varies from state to state, so check with your local Medicaid office to learn about your eligibility and what coverage may look like.
Veterans may be eligible for financial assistance for costs associated with a walk-in tub with shower through one of several grants offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including the Veteran Directed Care program, which aims to help veterans age in place. Calling your local VA office is the best way to see if you qualify for such assistance.
Overhead showerheads are often sold as an upgrade or addition to the purchase of a walk-in tub. If you already decided you want a shower in addition to a walk-in tub, the most important step is finding brands that offer a standing showerhead or other shower options in addition to a tub.
To find the right tub for you, consider your safety needs, preferences and budget. Walk-in tubs range from basic to luxurious, with hundreds of options in between. Here are a few factors to consider when buying a walk-in tub with shower.
Deciding to install a walk-in tub with shower can increase your level of independence and safety at home. However, making sure the tub you select comes with the appropriate safety features, such as ADA-compliant seats and grab bars, is essential. Get A Free Quote for Your Walk-In Tub Project
Walk-in tubs come with a wide selection of optional accessories, so it’s up to you whether you want to outfit your tub with luxurious add-ons, such as aromatherapy or hydrojets, or keep it simple with a more basic model.
Determine your budget for a walk-in tub with shower—including the cost of installation—and research whether you may qualify for financing or financial assistance.
In addition to its walk-in tubs with shower accessories listed above, Ella’s Bubbles offers a four-fold tempered glass shower enclosure that can be converted to a three-fold enclosure. A selection of two-person walk-in tubs with centered doors are also available. Ella’s Bubbles offers multiple door styles, including inward-swinging, outward-swinging, L-shaped and U-shaped, to accommodate a variety of mobility needs. It also makes a model specifically for wheelchair accessibility. Certain tub models come with an in-line water heater as well, which keeps the water temperature stable as you bathe.
Manufactured in Woodstock, Georgia, Boca walk-in tubs with showers are frameless, which allowed the company to develop the lowest step threshold—no more than 2 inches—of all walk-in tubs on the market today. The unique internal frame is made of fiberglass and a marine-grade gel coat. Meanwhile, an ADA-compliant seat and grab bar help ensure the user’s safety, and upgrades, such as aromatherapy, enhance the luxury of the bathing experience.
Independent Home handles every aspect of the walk-in home purchasing process, from the initial in-home consultation to the final professional installation of the tub—which can take less than a day, according to the company. After an initial consultation, every tub is customized to meet the specific needs and preferences of the customer. Independent Home also offers optional tub features, such as microbubbles that exfoliate, clean and moisturize the skin, as well as chromotherapy and aromatherapy. Its tubs feature a keypad-controlled heated, ADA-compliant seat and backrest to keep you warm while the tub fills and drains, and they have a built-in threshold to keep the system from overheating.
Overhead and handheld shower features can add a level of convenience to a walk-in tub, especially if you prefer a quick shower on occasion over a long tub soak. While most walk-in tubs come with a handheld showerhead, the addition of an overhead rain shower means you can embrace the benefits of a walk-in tub, such as a low step threshold and an ergonomic seat, while maintaining the option to take a shower. If your budget allows for a walk-in tub with shower and it suits your preferences better than a standard walk-in tub, this amenity can be a great addition to your bathroom.
Before you decide on any purchases, speak with your health care provider if you’re unsure which home modifications could make a significant impact in keeping you safe and independent while aging in place.
Stop Worrying About Your Bathing Safety
Start focusing on your safe bathing enjoyment and maintain your independence with a walk-in tub from Ella's Bubbles. For your free quote, click or call Ella’s Bubbles at 833- 419-2995.
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Meaghan is an editor and writer who also has experience practicing holistic medicine as an acupuncturist and herbalist. She's passionate about helping individuals live full, healthy and happy lives at every age. Outside of writing and editing for Forbes Health, Meaghan loves practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family near the ocean in her home state of Maine.
Walk In Soaking Tub With Shower Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.