lower-half-of-lady-in-a-bath-robe-sat-on-the-bath-ledge-next-to-bath-lift-with-bath-lift-remote-in-her-hand

Choosing The Right Bath Lift – Buyer’s Guide

A nice, warm bath should always be a relaxing affair. The idea of soaking in the water with bubbles all around you is the stuff of dreams. However, actually getting in and out of a bath can be very difficult, especially when it is full of water and slippery.

That’s the reason why bath lifts are so important.

A bath lift is a seat that can raise up and down, helping you rise up from or lower into that warm bath water. They allow you to continue bathing and enjoying your soak, whilst keeping your independence as well.

However, each bath lift provides different features, meaning you need to be able to find the right one for you. In order to help with this, we have put together this bath lift buyer’s guide, so that you can know what to consider, what to look out for and how to pick the perfect bath lift for you.

What Is A Bath Lift?

Whilst we have explained the very basics of what a bath lift is, the first thing to do when looking to buy one is to make sure you know exactly what you need and what you are buying.

bath-lift-inside-a-bath-in-a-bathroom

Bath lifts actually come in two different main variations; a seat or a cushion. Both of these variations are designed to slowly lower you into the bath, all the way to the bottom. Then, when you’ve finished bathing and relaxing, they lift you back up again so that you can get out easily.

If you have trouble being able to stand up, or experience pain or weakness in your back or legs, then a bath lift is a great option to allow you to bathe safely.

Some bath lifts also swivel, meaning that all you need to do is get to the side of the bath, sit down and swing your legs around. So, as you can tell, a bath lift can offer you a range of benefits, including but not limited to;

  • Being able to bathe in safety, whilst keeping your independence.
  • Incredibly easy to install and remove, meaning you can store it away when not using it.

Please keep in mind that you would need to be able to lift your legs up in order to get them into the bath, and keep your balance whilst seated on the bath lift as it goes up and down.

What Is The Difference Between a Bath Lift and a Bath Cushion?

Now that you know what a bath lift actually is, the next thing that you need to understand when looking to buy one is the difference between the two main variations.

A bath lift typically refers to a chair that will raise you up and down through mechanical and electrical means. They come with strong yet comfortable backrests to aid in support and won’t lower you into the bath if they don’t have enough power left in the battery to lift you out again as well.

A bath cushion, on the other hand, works slightly different. With no mechanic parts built into the cushion, it relies on being inflated and deflated to move you up and down in the bath. A pump that sits outside of the bath is attached to the bath cushion, with a remote control that allows you to tell it to inflate or deflate the bath cushion as and when you need to. The inflatable nature also means that it is very lightweight and easy to transport when travelling.

What Conditions Can A Bath Lift Help With?

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

Whether you are still in the early stages of Motor Neurone Disease or are in the later, more advanced stages, a bath lift can help you to continue bathing with independence.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

After a day of activity, your joints can often become tender and painful. Therefore, a bath lift can help to take the pain away when it comes to bathing, and the warm water and be very soothing.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

When you are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, it can be difficult to get in and out of the bath. The actions needed to do it can be rather strenuous, so a bath lift or bath cushion can help to make bathing much easier for you.

CEREBRAL PALSY

As Cerebral Palsy can lead to difficulty with balance and uncontrolled movements, having a bath lift can mean that you are able to get in and out of a bath safely.

SPINA BIFIDA

If your legs are weak or paralysed due to Spina Bifida, then getting into a bath or climbing out of one can be a struggle. By using a bath lift, you are able to give yourself added support in order to bathe independently.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

If you’re having a day of pain in your joints, or they are stiff or swollen, then being able to relax in a warm and soothing bath can be incredibly helpful. However, getting into it could be painful. By having a bath lift or bath cushion, you can relax your joints in the water without struggling to get into the bath in the first place.

What To Think About When Buying A Bath Lift?

When you are buying a bath lift, there are a handful of other things that you should consider, in order to make sure you get a setup that is just right for your needs.

WHAT TYPE OF TRANSFER OPTION DO YOU NEED?

As some bath lifts come with a swivel seat, or even a slide and swivel seat, you need to make sure you are getting the right type of seat for your needs.

RECLINING OR NOT?

Whilst the majority of bath lifts do not recline, instead choosing to be extra sturdy, there are some that allow you to have a controlled recline once the bath lift is at the bottom of the bath.

DO YOU NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT?

As well as the bath lift, would you need any other support for your bathing? For example, would it be a good idea to get a grab rail installed as well, or would a bath step help you to get onto the bath lift in the first place?

Choosing The Right Bath Lift

Now that you know what you need to consider when you are looking to purchase a bath lift, it’s time to start looking at the different options that you can get.

We currently stock three bath lifts and one bath cushion that we would recommend.

BATHMASTER DELTIS BATH LIFT

The Bathmaster Deltis Bath Lift is designed to offer both safety and comfort, as well as being lightweight to allow for quick and easy installation. On top of this, the Bathmaster Deltis also features a reclining backrest, meaning that you are able to relax and bathe, with a controller that floats safely above the water.

BATHMASTER DELTIS HEAVY DUTY BATH LIFT

If you wanted something a bit more heavy duty, then you can always take a step up to the Bathmaster Deltis Heavy Duty Bath lift. This version of the Deltis retains the reclining backrest but adds in the ability to hold up to 170kg of user weight.

AQUATEC ORCA BATH LIFT

Built with superior quality in mind, the Aquatec Orca Bath Lift offers increased leg room as well as an ergonomic, floating controller with a lightweight battery. This means that you can get a much deeper level of relaxation whilst you are bathing.

BATHING CUSHION BATH LIFT

With increased stability, this lightweight bath cushion is easily transportable, whilst also able to gently lower you into the bath and lift you back out using the low air pressure pump. It is also completely battery operated and features a fully waterproof handle.

If you are still unsure about which bath lift or bath cushion would be best for you, then why not get in touch with us today, either through our Contact Form or by calling us on 01733 342242? We’d be happy to discuss your needs and help you choose the right bath lift for you.

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  • Ordered a folding shower seat with 2 grab bars in the morning and these were delivered to me in the afternoon of the same day - that is what I call service. However the following day a further 2 Grab Bars were delivered and the co said that they would collect these the same day - still waiting after 1 week and another call - not so good and still waiting. A point that the co should consider is that we are finding it difficult to get someone to fit the shower seat and they are unable to provide any guidance or help. would suggest that they collect names and telephone numbers of local tradesmen who are trusted to fit their mobility equipment and provide guidance on fitting
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  • Called into the shop for a shower chair for an elderly relative. The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They didn't have the one I needed so I was offered the option of ordering in store or online. I ordered on line and the chair was delivered 2 days later. Fabulous service.I would recommend the Mobility Aids Centre. Thank you!
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  • Fantastic service, I order a Bathmaster Deltis bath chair lift on the 18/08/2015 and using the standard delivery system it was delivered to my house the following day. The chair works very well, it comes packed in the manufactures original box, battery ready charged for instantaneous use and at a very competitive price. Very good performance all round.
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    Sandra S