Any pointers about getting a walk-in bath please?

Do you get in the empty bath and then fill it up?

Likewise, do you have to empty the bath before you get out?

I have visions of older people forgetting, opening the door and water cascading out!

Yes to your first two questions Calendargirl
I’m sure there must be some foolproof lock to prevent the door being opened when the bath is still full. Hope so!

There must also be some method of not filling it with water that’s either too hot or too cold?

I have visions of Princess Margaret scalding her feet when in her bath.

Cannot imagine it’s pleasant sitting waiting for it to fill, and also on a winter’s evening waiting for the water to drain out?

Have never given walk-in baths any thought until now.

Just watched the adverts with glamorous ladies in swimsuits who look perfectly capable of using an ordinary bath anyhow.

I imagine you'd get cold waiting for it to fill up/empty.

I would rather have a shower with a seat I think

I debated on one .
But I was told that they take ages to fill up and can leak .
So it's back to Yoga so I can get in and out !

Grannybags

I imagine you'd get cold waiting for it to fill up/empty.

I would rather have a shower with a seat I think

That's sound a much better option.

I was told the standard domestic hot water cylinders/tanks don't hold enough water to fill them, and you have to get another larger cylinder installed.
I would imagine you'd need to heat the bathroom to tropical temperatures before you even started. Sitting starkers waiting for the water to rise around me does not appeal either.
Have you tried those seats that lower you into the water? I bet Age Concern could source one for you.
Surely someone on here has one and can advise?

Shower with a seat for me

Have you tried those seats that lower you into the water?

My sister got one for her DH, who has back and leg problems, but likes a bath. She tested it out herself first, but was not at all keen, not sure why, but she said her DH would never manage it if she herself, able bodied, couldn’t get on with it.

They have now, reluctantly, decided it’s time to get a shower installed, after ‘nagging’ from their AC.

Have you tried those seats that lower you into the water?

I got a Bellavita bath lift for my DH who has mobility problems.
We both prefer to have a bath and this was recommended by a couple of people on GN. We’re happy with it.

My mum had one of those lower-you-down seats and liked it. She had serious dementia and panicked in the shower - thought she was drowning - but was delighted with her bath seat.
I wish we'd kept it, I could do with it myself now.
We sold it on gumtree (I think) so if you don't mind second hand, you might pick one up there before you spend all that money on a super sit-in.

Thanks so much to everyone for your replies. All helpful, covering amount of hot water.. hadn't thought about that one!; waiting in the bath; shower and bath seats; leaks and the 'Picture' of Princess Margaret made me laugh..ty .
I think I'm going to have to go with 'back to yoga' Esmay. Again, thank you all for taking the time x

Calendargirl

Do you get in the empty bath and then fill it up?

Likewise, do you have to empty the bath before you get out?

I have visions of older people forgetting, opening the door and water cascading out!

Think it’s like a medi bath, you sit in it & fill, getting out, empty it first- we have all opened them type baths by accident at work while bathing patients😩🤣like a tidal wave- can’t you fit in a walk in shower & seat?

As an ex carer, I wouldn’t advocate getting a walk in bath. For the reasons listed by others - having to sit there awaiting it fill up, and more importantly having to sit shivering while it empties. And I’ve known some to leak.
The rise and fall seats are excellent in a bath, and you may be able to get one from your local assisted living centre for free. Or a shower with a built-in or portable seat is excellent. There’s also the option of one of those shower cubicles with half height panels so, if you need assistance, the person helping you gets to keep their legs and feet dry.

We inherited a walk-in bath with the bungalow. It had a seized-up tap so we could only use the shower attachment. We decided to get it overhauled and use it until we could afford to revamp the bathroom. But every single plumber who came to quote said they had only ‘taken them out’! When I asked why, it was for all the reasons that previous GNs have posted. So, I would definitely say NO! And, we had to readjust our budget to revamp the bathroom (with a shower). - and a nasty little leak was discovered which would have done a lot of damage after a short while.
Hope that helps! (I’m amazed they still sell them tbh!🙄)

DH was allergic to showers so we fitted at rise and lower seat in the main bath. He never learned to operate it himself so bathtime became quite long winded but also provided quite a lot of laughs, and felt safe, which was very important.

Seems a lot of trouble to me - having to sit in it and wait for it to fill and then eait for it to empty. I got rid of my bath and got a large walk in rainforest shower . Bliss ! My family - especially GC love to use it and it looks very swish … not at all what would be expected in the house of a disabled pensioner.

This style of bath has been used in Japan for decades and not just by older people but by families. Children use them. Shortage of space, and perhaps a bit forward thinking on water waste. I used one when there, no problem. If
a person can't be trusted not to open bath when full then should they be left alone when using one? I have seen a couple in city flats here.

I miss having a bath as I can't get in ours. Instead I have a common or garden separate walk in shower which does the job but I can't sit in the water and read a book! I'd get too cold to wait for a door opening bath to fill up so a shower it is