Walk-in bathtub

[Uturn]

I'm hoping someone here has already done the research and/or install of a walk-in bathtub.  My 71 y/o mom has mentioned that she cannot take baths anymore because she cannot get up out of the tub and she would really like a walk-in.

She had a salesman out last week.  Basically two products, just a soaker tub and fully loaded with jets, bubble infusers, and supplemental heat.  Basic is $7500, full is $9500, each require an additional $2k for install.  This particular tub is gel coat over fiberglass.

Since I doubt mom will be riding waves and hitting sandbars, is it necessary to get a tub made like a boat, or is acrylic OK?  I can find those for around $3-4k

Can someone with moderate DIY skills install one of these?

Are the tubs worth it?  Does anyone know an elderly person who thought it would be great, but in reality they don't use it?

I asked her if replacing the tub with a shower would be OK, but she says that she has no problem stepping in and out, just can't get up if she sits down. 

[rockstache]

We just use a shower chair. It is adjustable, and we set it high enough that grandma can get up and down herself. She puts on the water and gets it to temp, steps over the tub, sits down, and then has a hand sprayer. My husband also installed a holder for it that allows her to reach it while seated and a few handicapped handles so that she has plenty to hold on to. It has worked pretty well. She would love a tub, but not for $9K.

[Playing with Fire UK]

An elderly relative had one.

The process of sitting in the tub waiting for it to drain getting cold (or trying not to drop your towel into the water) is pretty unpleasant.

Not all of them have proper grips on the base to stop you slipping (you can get the stickers though).

She got someone to install it, (we offered and were declined), but then we fixed the seal that broke after a bit and the design didn't seem complicated.

I think this one was acrylic, but not certain (it didn't have a visible gel layer), and it worked fine.

[Miss Piggy]

I asked her if replacing the tub with a shower would be OK, but she says that she has no problem stepping in and out, just can't get up if she sits down.

Then I don't think a tub is the answer.

[Uturn]

I asked her if replacing the tub with a shower would be OK, but she says that she has no problem stepping in and out, just can't get up if she sits down.

Then I don't think a tub is the answer.

Mom wants to soak.  The only time I soak in a tub is after a long motorcycle ride in the winter and my knees hurt.  So I don't see the expense worth it, but maybe I'm not normal.

[Miss Piggy]

I asked her if replacing the tub with a shower would be OK, but she says that she has no problem stepping in and out, just can't get up if she sits down.

Then I don't think a tub is the answer.

Mom wants to soak.  The only time I soak in a tub is after a long motorcycle ride in the winter and my knees hurt.  So I don't see the expense worth it, but maybe I'm not normal.

I like to soak, too.

But if you're mom said she can't get up if she sits down, then how will she get up out of the bathtub? (Am I missing something?)

[geekette]

Step in tubs are deep, with a built in seat.

I don't know anyone with one, but they seem like a useful, if expensive, workaround for typical aging.

[Miss Piggy]

Oh, okay. That makes sense.

[NV Teacher]

We finally talked my mother into getting this bath lift.  They have a pretty good video on their website.

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Bellavita-Lifter-White/dp/B002VWKOHY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468896245&sr=8-1&keywords=bellavita+bath+lift

My sister took her to look at them at a medical supply place and they were double what they cost on Amazon.  This and a couple of good safety handles and my 87 year old mother can soak in the tub as much as she wants.

Like my mother says, it's not a sin to get old but damn inconvenient.

[Uturn]

We finally talked my mother into getting this bath lift.  They have a pretty good video on their website.

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Bellavita-Lifter-White/dp/B002VWKOHY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468896245&sr=8-1&keywords=bellavita+bath+lift

My sister took her to look at them at a medical supply place and they were double what they cost on Amazon.  This and a couple of good safety handles and my 87 year old mother can soak in the tub as much as she wants.

Like my mother says, it's not a sin to get old but damn inconvenient.

I think this is why I created this thread.  $600 solution, Mom isn't too heavy for it, fakespot.com says the reviews are real. 

[Loretta]

I did a search on this topic and wanted to ask, has anyone here installed a walk-in bathtub and had good results?  Like the Kohler one I see advertised a lot.   They look very pleasing but I only have one bathroom in my condo, so this would have to be my sole go-to choice and I'm not sure I want a morning soak everyday before work.  (I’m a morning shower girl.) I am not elderly but hope to be one day.  I am looking to take more Epsom salt baths for health reasons, and my current tub set up is the original model with what I feel like is 40 years of other people’s dead skin in it. 

I have contacted these folks for an estimate and to hear the choices.  https://www.kohlerwalkinbath.com/

[Catbert]

Someone already mentioned this, but think about the time and cold involved in draining the tub before you get out. 

[former player]

and my current tub set up is the original model with what I feel like is 40 years of other people’s dead skin in it. 

This did rather stand out to me: I don't understand how a thorough cleaning (by someone else if not you) wouldn't suffice.  I mean, I get not having a bath in a hotel bathroom, but in your own home, just because someone has lived in the house before you did?  Is this how many people feel?

[Loretta]

I have cleaned the tub many, many times with various Clorox cleaners but it still feels ummmm...well used before me.