TheraTub Walk-In Tubs Blog

Why owning a walk-in bathtub is important:

Falling is the leading cause of injury or death among people aged 65 or older.

The bathroom is the most dangerous place for older Americans, with more falls occurring as they get in and out of the shower than anywhere else.

The majority of hip fractures among older adults are caused by falls.

At least one person every day dies from falling in the shower or bathtub that doesn’t have a walk-in tub installed in their home.

Medical costs of slipping and falling in the United States are more than $2 billion a year.

The cost of a one bedroom unit in an assisted living facility is now about $3500 per month

Traditional tubs and showers can be dangerous:

The usual bathtubs and showers are not designed with the needs of older people in mind, nor people who have movement problems. Unlike walk-in tubs, with a regular tub you have to take a big step to get in or out of the tub, a bigger step than someone with limited mobility can easily do. If the bottom of the tub or the floor on the other side is wet because of your shower, you can very easily slip and fall. Your risk is even greater if you have a hard time balancing, lifting your legs or moving.

Standard showers often come with sliding glass doors, something walk-in tubs do not need. These doors look beautiful, but they can be dangerous. If you slip while in the tub, you can crash into the glass, which causes even worse extensive injuries.

Finally, traditional tubs are designed with the assumption that you are going to stand in them to shower. People who tire easily, have arthritis or other painful conditions or those who can’t balance well while standing have a great deal of trouble with a traditional shower or bath. They may even slip if they stand for too long.

Why folding chairs don’t work in the bathtub:

A folding chair is not meant for the shower or bath and it might start to slide while you are on it, leading to accidents. Plus, if you have certain medical conditions, it may be just as hard to get in or out of the tub as it is to stand while using it; this can lead to accidents too. They will also rust and then break without any prior warning. With a walk-in tub you do not need the safety hazard of using a folding chair in the tub.

How the TheraTub walk-in tub helps:

At TheraTub, we use a patent-pending frameless design that allows you to have a much safer bathing experience than any other walk-in tub!

Lowest step-in available

Walk-in tubs with step-in heights of over 4” don’t help you if you can’t step in easily. All TheraTubs come with an industry low step-in height of only 2″, even less in certain circumstances, so you barely have to lift your foot in order to get into the tub. This significantly reduces the risk of a slip or fall.

Safe and easy-to-use door design

We’ve gotten rid of the shower glass doors, which are not only dangerous, but difficult to operate. A significant number of falls occur when a person is trying to open those doors without success or slip and fall through them. Our TheraTubs have one easy-to-open door handle attached to the door. The door itself comes with an aviation-grade rubber seal that doesn’t let any water in or out and it is mounted on a one long and very sturdy, piano style hinge. So, you don’t have to worry about slipping on the wet floor outside your tub once you are finished with your bath or shower. The door also has a winged design that allows you to open it while seated on the built-in contour seat, reducing the risk of falls while opening the door.

Custom placed safety grab bars

Despite the safety improvements of the TheraTub itself, some customers may need extra support while getting in or out of the tub. We offer you the option of up to three custom placed safety grab bars with our walk-in tubs. We install them at the heights that you request, so that you can hold on no matter how tall or short you are. If you have a caregiver helping you with bathing, he or she will be able to use the safety bars along with you to help you get safely in or out of the tub.

Anti-slip surface

The floors of the TheraTub are coated with an anti-slip material to further reduce the possibility of falling. In addition, our walk-in bathtubs come with a built-in, ADA compliant, 17″ high contour seat. This makes it easy for you to get in and sit down. If you prefer to stand, the seat offers extra support as you are getting into the tub, making it less likely that you will slip and fall.

Quick draining system

If you fall in the tub, it puts you at risk of drowning should the tub still be full of water. To reduce this risk, we designed our walk-in tubs to drain in less than two minutes. That way, if you slip while on the way out of the tub, it’s less likely that you will drown. In addition, less water in the tub reduces the risk of slipping on your way out. Our quick draining system also allows you to not get cold as water slowly drains out like other walk-in tubs.

Anti-bacterial and anti-mold components of the TheraTub:

In addition to falling, you are at risk of getting seriously ill if your tub doesn’t stay clean enough. In order to reduce this risk, we’ve included several anti-bacterial and anti-mold components to all of our TheraTub walk-in tubs.

Auto jet purging system

Our jets won’t spew mildew or mold into the tub when you first turn them on. In our walk-in tubs, we have installed an auto purging system that dries the lines after each use, so that mold and mildew can’t grow.

Anti-bacterial gel coating

All of our walk-in tubs are coated with upper marine-grade, anti-bacterial gel which prevents mold, mildew and bacteria from growing on the tub.

Ozone water purification system

Our optional water purification system for TheraTub is similar to that used by bottled water companies to make sure your water is clean.

How Medicare, Medicaid or other programs may help you purchase a TheraTub:

Medicare and Medicaid will pay for most absolutely necessary medical devices that people need. A new TheraTub might be one of those medical devices, depending on your circumstances. There are specific things you need to do in order to get these helpful government programs to fund the installation of a TheraTub in your home for yourself or a loved one. In rare circumstances Medicare will reimburse a patient’s TheraTub walk-in tub expense or at least part of it. To get Medicare’s reimbursement, a medical doctor must write a prescription for the walk-in tub and explain exactly why the tub is medically necessary. Medicare will frequently still deny the claim. You need to think of Medicare as a possibility, not a guarantee. If they send some or all of the reimbursement to the patient, think of it as an unexpected bonus.

Medicaid and TheraTub:

Medicaid is a different sort of government program than Medicare and they sometimes will pay for the installation of a TheraTub walk-in tub. Each state has control over their Medicaid program and therefore the rules by which it operates. While California’s Medicaid program will not cover a medically necessary walk-in tub or a very low threshold shower, Colorado’s Medicaid program will under their Elderly, Blind and Disabled Persons Waiver. So, if the TheraTub is medically necessary so that the patient can remain living in their home, then it might be paid for by their state’s Medicaid program. You need to check with your state’s Medicaid HCBS waivers if the patient qualifies for Medicaid.

Disabled Veterans and assistance in purchasing a TheraTub:

There are many Veteran Assistance programs that will help pay for a disabled veteran’s TheraTub walk-in tub:

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS)

If the veteran was not disabled during the war but is an aging veteran, then the HISA Grant will pay for the installation of a TheraTub. The VA Aid and Attendance, Housebound and other Pensions is a program that will reimburse the veteran instead of paying for it in advance of installation.

Other programs for financial assistance of buying your TheraTub:

There are other programs that will help an elderly person in need of a TheraTub walk-in bathtub, so that they can bathe safely at home for years to come. These are programs to investigate to see if you qualify for their benefits:

U.S. Department of Agriculture – You’ll need to be a low income senior and live in a rural area to use their grant for a home modification like a TheraTub walk-in tub.
State Assistance for the Elderly programs – These vary greatly from state to state
Rebuilding Together – This is a nonprofit organization that may offset installation costs for a walk-in tub, especially a uniquely safety focused TheraTub.

Getting help on the install cost of a TheraTub walk-in shower:

There are many programs to help a person who needs a TheraTub walk-in installed in their home so that they can continue to live at home independently. In addition to the options listed above, ask your accountant if you can deduct the cost from your tax return, in order to recoup some or all of the installation cost as well.

How various other government programs can help pay for one:

If you are considering having a TheraTub installed in your home due to a medical necessity, there are many programs that might pay for that installation for you. Many people do not know that these programs exist to help seniors and the disabled bathe safely in their own home. Adding a walk-in tub is a medical necessity for many people and it requires some minor remodeling of a person’s bathroom. There are government programs and nonprofit programs that just might pay for your TheraTub installation or reimburse your TheraTub walk-in tub installation costs.

Do you qualify for financial reimbursement?

As we have seen so far there are many programs available that may help pay for your TheraTub and/or installation. There are both state/federal programs and private nonprofit organizations that will give funds to help those who medically need a walk-in tub installed in their home. You will likely need to do a little homework in order to find out if you qualify for one or more of the programs that are offered.

Here are some of the programs that might help you financially with the installation of a TheraTub walk-in tub in your home:

Medicaid
Medicare
VA
U.S. Department of Agriculture
State Assistance for the Elderly programs
Rebuilding Together
VA Aid and Attendance, Housebound and other Pensions
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS)

Medicaid is a federal program, but each state runs its own Medicaid program. So, depending on the state, it might or might not pay for some or all of the installation of a TheraTub walk-in tub. Many states will pay for it, if it is medically necessary.

Medicare will rarely pay for the installation of a walk-in tub, whether it is medically necessary or not, but it is always worth a try. You will need a prescription and a medical explanation from your doctor in order to ask for reimbursement from Medicare.

The VA has many programs that can help with the costs of a TheraTub walk-in tub. They will help disabled veterans and also ageing veterans that were not disabled during wartime.

Rebuilding Together is a nationwide nonprofit organization that will help those in financial need to install a TheraTub walk-in tub if they cannot afford to on their own.

US Department of Agriculture can help low income residents of rural areas with the costs for the installation of medical necessary equipment in the home, such as a TheraTub walk-in tub.

Other state programs are sometimes available to financially help the elderly install a medically necessary TheraTub walk-in tub. Ask your doctor or TheraTub representative if they know of such programs in your area.

TheraTub delivers both innovation and assurance:

TheraTub's walk-in tubs provide great peace of mind while bathing:

Bathing is a necessity of daily-life; however, the traditional design of baths is not appropriate for everyone. People’s physical features and capabilities change as they grow older, especially mobility. A traditional bath may be difficult, especially for aged elders and those with specific chronic diseases and disorders that limit physical mobility. TheraTub manufactures specially designed walk-in bathtubs in order to facilitate you or a loved one with an ultra-therapeutic and safe bathing experience.

Innovation integrated with necessity:

TheraTub has taken keen notice of the issues that the medically challenged, as well as those with limited mobility, have to face with traditional daily bathing. That is why we have designed special walk-in bathtubs to resolve or minimize the challenges that people like you or those in your family are harassed by daily. The safe step-in height of our walk-in tubs is merely 2 inches, which is the lowest in the industry. Thus, this allows the users to virtually slide into the walk-in tub safely without inconvenience or fear of getting hurt.

We deliver unique designs and completely different products:

TheraTub is not just another walk-in bathtub company. We offer many unique and customizable models with a focus on integrity. Certified Made in the USA, we also carry out independent research and experiment extensively, as well as listen to customer feedback in regards to our design in order to ensure that our customers get the best bathing experience while staying safe. Additionally, the price of a TheraTub is significantly lesser than that of our competitors; we will also give a quote over the phone.

Every component of the TheraTub is backed by the strongest lifetime warranty:

In addition to the unique design and low cost, we cover every single component of our walk-in tubs under our industry-best, manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. Because of our unique frameless design, you do not have to disassemble your walk-in bathtub and ship it for repairs like the others; our technicians arrive at your place and fix the issue. Once you purchase a TheraTub, you have the peace of mind that you’re covered for life!

More information:

The most important reason to invest in a TheraTub walk-in bathtub is the safety of you or a loved one. Every day, people are injured needlessly from slipping and falling in the shower or bath. These injuries are completely preventable.

TheraTub addresses safety issues:

The shower is a dangerous place for a lot of reasons. Water makes the floor slippery and many showers or baths have ornate, fancy sliding glass doors. While the doors may look nice, if you fall into them you can get seriously hurt. In addition, if you have arthritis or other health conditions that interfere with the ability to stand, walk or move easily, you may find it hard to get in or out of the tub even if you aren’t worried about slipping.

Using a chair in the tub or shower:

Some people put a folding chair in the tub in order to compensate for these problems, but this isn’t an ideal solution. Folding chairs aren’t meant for the shower and may slip or move, leading to a fall. Folding chairs also sustain water damage that makes them uncomfortable or unsafe to use. Plus, if other people in your household use the shower, you may need to take the chair in and out, which is not easy for someone with limited mobility.

TheraTub helps prevent dangerous mold issues:

TheraTubs come with a couple of unique safety features that address mold issues. Many people do not think about mold and mildew as a safety concern, but it is. You don’t have to “just live with it.” TheraTubs address mold and mildew in two ways. The first is a lustrous, thick layer of upper marine-grade, sanitary gel coating that prevents mold and mildew from starting on the surface of the tub. Additionally, our walk-in tubs come with an auto-purge system that cleans and dries the lines and jets after every use. Both of these safety features help keep your TheraTub safe and clean.

Therapy with TheraTub:

Your TheraTub comes with a built-in contoured seat, making it easy for you to sit down and relax in the tub. The tub is deep for adequate, full body soaking and has several hydro and air jets to massage you while you soak. It is the ultimate hydrotherapy experience. When you use a TheraTub, your bathing experience will be a safe, enjoyable and therapeutic!

How your new TheraTub can help:

At TheraTub, we use a patent-pending design that allows you to have a much safer bathing experience

“Safe” walk-in tubs with step-in heights of over 6” don’t help you if you can’t step in easily. Our TheraTub has a step-in height of only 2″, so you barely have to lift your foot in order to get into the tub. This significantly reduces the risk of a slip or fall. We’ve gotten rid of the shower glass doors, which are not only dangerous, but difficult to operate. A significant number of falls occur when a person is trying to open those doors without success. The door itself comes with an aviation-grade rubber seal that doesn’t let any water in or out and unlike the others; we use a singular, piano-style hinge to prevent warping. So, you don’t have to worry about leaks or slipping on the floor outside your tub once you are finished with your bath or shower. The door also has a winged design that allows you to open it while seated on the built-in contour seat, reducing the risk of falls while opening the door.

Custom placed safety grab bars

Despite the overall design improvements of the TheraTub walk-in tub, some customers may need extra support while getting in or out of the tub. We offer you the option of up to three custom placed safety grab bars with our walk-in tubs. We install them at the heights that you request, so that you can hold on no matter how tall or short you are. If you have a caregiver helping you with bathing, he or she will be able to use the safety bars along with you to help you get safely in or out of your TheraTub.

Anti-slip surfaces

The surfaces of every TheraTub walk-in tub are coated with an anti-slip material to reduce the possibility of falling. In addition, our tubs come with a built-in, ADA compliant 17″ high contour seat. This makes it easy for you to get in and sit down. If you prefer to stand, the seat offers extra support as you are getting into the tub, making it less likely that you will slip and fall.

Quick draining system

Anti-bacterial/anti-mold components of the TheraTub

In addition to falling, you are at risk of getting seriously ill if your tub doesn’t stay clean enough. In order to reduce this risk, we’ve included several anti-bacterial/mold components to all of our walk-in bathtubs. All of our TheraTubs are coated with upper marine-grade, anti-bacterial gel which prevents mold, mildew and bacteria from growing on the tub and gives every single TheraTub an unusually lustrous shine as well.

Ozone water purification system

Our optional water purification system for the TheraTub is similar to that used by high-end bottled water companies to make sure your bath water is as clean as possible. This is especially useful if you decide to go with the bidet jet.

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