Baths With Doors: How Do They Work and What Are the Benefits?

5th Apr, 2023

Having a bath can have a positive impact on mood and well-being. But if you have a disability or limited mobility, access to safe bathing can be problematic. Even if you prefer to have a bath instead of a shower, you might find it difficult to get in and out of the bath safely and confidently.

In addition, carers may be at risk of injury when helping a family member or service user to access the bathtub. Back injuries are a common problem for anyone who helps people with mobility issues to get in and out of the bath.

A specialist accessible bath with door system can help to resolve these issues, allowing you to bathe in comfort and enjoy a long soak in a warm bath.

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What is a bath with door system?

A bath with an integrated door is a fully accessible unit, which contains a small, watertight door within the side panel. The door can open both inwards or outwards depending on the model. A bath with door system enables a person with a disability or mobility issue to enjoy the comfort and relaxation of a bath, without the risk of trips and falls.

Baths with door systems are available in various styles. These include everything from the small, low-level door in a standard bathtub design to a deep, upright bath with a seat incorporated to aid upright bathing.

Walk-in baths from Mobility Plus are carefully designed to include all of the best safety features, helping to reduce the risk of accidents during bathing and injury to carers or family members.

Add-on features are available, including:

Grab rails: Fixed to a wall with screws or suction cups, grab rails are used to help people with balance issues to steady themselves as they get in and out of the bath
Thermostatic taps: Included as standard to give protection against scalding.
Bathtub fillers: A bathtub filler mixes the hot and cold water to the desired temperature. The temperature remains constant, eliminating the need for adjustment and reducing the risk of the water being too hot or cold.
Power seats: A power seat raises and lowers a person into the bath, making bathing safe and accessible to people with severe mobility issues or physical disabilities. The unit is secured to the bath floor with suction cups, and the seat rises and falls as required.

All of these features help to provide effective bathing solutions. The most appropriate option will depend on your level of mobility, but they can all help to maintain a sense of independence and dignity. These features also make it easier for carers to implement safe moving and handling practices, helping to reduce the risk of injury.

Did you know? During 2019/20, 68% of state pension age adults were living with a disability or mobility issue, compared to 41% of working age adults?

How do baths with doors work?

Whichever type of walk-in bath unit you choose, they are usually accessed in the following way:

Access the bath through the low-level step and door

Walk-in baths come with varying door heights. You will need to choose one according to your level of mobility. However, stepping in and out of the bath is much easier and safer with a low-level threshold than climbing over the side of the bath and into the water.

Close and seal the bath door

Once inside the bath, you must take care to close the door fully in order to ensure that it is sealed and watertight. The bath seal is the most important element of this type of bath. Making sure that it is secure will remove the risk of water spilling onto the bathroom floor, which could create a potential slip hazard. All of the walk-in baths in our range have a door that opens inwards, making them ideal for bathrooms with limited space.

Select water temperature and fill the bath

With our optional bath filler, you can choose the required water temperature using a rotary dial. That means there is no need to keep adjusting the taps to increase the hot or cold water. Advances in technology mean you can even do this using an app on your mobile phone. Once you’re happy with the temperature, press the start button and allow the water to flow. After that, all you need to do is sit back and relax. A standard bath filler will protect against scalding due to it’s thermostatic valve.

Drain and leave

Once you’ve enjoyed your bath and you’re feeling relaxed, simply drain the bath and exit through the door. Remember to leave your towel at the side before entering, so you can partly dry off as you wait for the water to fully drain.

The benefits of a walk-in bath with door

Safety for the user: A walk-in bath is safer than a traditional bath. A low threshold reduces the risk of tripping, making it more accessible to people with mobility issues.
Comfort: Walk-in baths provide an element of comfort and relaxation, especially if you find it difficult to stand in the shower or use a standard bathtub. Walk-in bathtubs have lower entryways and are often deeper than traditional tubs, making it easier to clean your upper body.
Health: Water has a soothing effect on the body and mind, and a walk-in bath can help to improve overall health in many ways, including:
Symptom relief. Muscle or joint issues, such as arthritis, diabetes, rheumatism and general muscle or joint pain and stiffness can benefit from the soothing effects of a walk-in tub.

Did you know? 10% of UK adults suffer from arthritis and taking a hot bath can help relieve symptoms?

Better circulation: Improved overall circulation can lead to increased mobility and less pain.
Relaxation and stress relief: Lying in water creates a relaxing atmosphere, which in turn can help to improve the quality of your sleep. Additional therapies, such as hydrotherapy, can help to massage and relax tired and aching muscles.
Therapy: Some of our bath ranges can be used for therapeutic purposes, including chromotherapy. This is the belief that the colours of the spectrum, which permeate the bathtub, can aid in tissue regeneration. Chromotherapy has reportedly helped to reduce swelling, relieve pain and decrease inflammation, as well as reducing recovery times after medical or surgical procedures. Our Hampton Elite range of baths incorporates this therapy into its design.

Different types of walk-in baths

We offer a range of different types of baths with doors. The right choice will depend on your individual requirements and level of mobility.

Full length bath with door

This is identical to a standard bath, but the side is a bath panel with access door. Once you have entered the bath through the access door, the bathing experience is the same as in a traditional bath. Our Leyburn range includes full length baths with doors.

Sit-up bath with door

A sit-up bath allows you to sit upright while bathing. This removes the need to stand up from a horizontal position when getting out of the bath.

Front or side opening

You can choose to have the access door at the side or at the front, according to the design and layout of your bathroom.

Are bath panels with doors practical?

Baths with doors can transform the lives of people who have previously struggled to access the bath. As we get older, we often feel that we are losing our independence. For some people, this is a worrying prospect. Installing a bath with a door to the bathroom helps people to continue living independently in the comfort of their own home.

A walk-in bath will also aid caregivers to help family members or service users to bathe safely, while also reducing the risk of injury to the bather and carer. The hydrotherapy feature on some baths helps with aches and pains in joints and muscles, providing a relaxing, soothing effect.

In comparison to wet rooms and walk-in showers, the right bath with door system can:

Improve the bathing experience by helping to maintain independence, dignity, comfort and support
Reduce the risk of bathroom accidents caused by slips or falls
Ensure efficient moving and handling for carers assisting with bathing
Reduce the risk of a musculoskeletal injuries to carers

At Mobility Plus, our range of walk-in baths are designed to suit your needs. A hydrotherapy spa option comes as standard with all of our models, and the non-slip floor keeps you safe every time you bathe.

With our free, no-obligation design and quote service, we can help you decide on a replacement unit, or discuss a complete bathroom redesign to make the space as safe and secure as possible.

Take a look at our full range of walk-in baths or request a free brochure to view all of the options at your leisure.

Whichever product you choose, our walk-in baths will help you to bathe confidently and independently again.

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