anyone know which companies are good & who are the rip-off-merchants?  trying to help my mum find a new bath now her knes/hip dont work too well.

I don't think any of the walk in baths are worth the huge price tags

What about an electric(well battery) bath seat ? My Dad has one from Social Services & they even service it for free. I don't do baths as my knees are less than perfect I much prefer a shower

I agree with moonmaiden in our old house the occupational therapy unit organised a grant for us to take the bath out and get a shower and they retiled the floor so it sloped (no need for a cubicle) it was so easy accesable and our girl had a seat on wheels it was great.

I'd think even that would be a cheaper option than getting a walk in bath!

I think the whole design of walk in baths is problematic and like MM I would be inclined to explore bath lifts or what about a shower, or better still, wet room with a fold down wall seat.  My Mother was a wheelchair user and had a fantastic wet room that the social services gave a grant towards building.

My main concern about those baths is how chilled a person would get waiting for the bath to empty before they could get out (unless they intend to flood the bathroom each time). A seat in a shower cubicle, or an electric seat that lowers and raises into your existing bath, seems more practical.

My thoughts too - and who wants to take a bath in a swimsuit :D !

Far better to have a large shower/drain in the middle of the floor wet room, imo!

Margot

Hi

My neigbour was looking into them and she asked advice from her plumber who is also a friend and he said avoid them at all costs. First you have to sit in them while the bath fills up. Then when it empties again. he has seen a few doors that have leaked You need quite a lot of water as you are in a sitting postion and ideally you need the water to be at least waist hight before you can comfortably wash. In the mean time you are sitting there naked waiting. He recomended a shower with a seat. She is infact moving because she needs to be in  a bungalow now.  my gran had a shower with a seat and it was brill. The bathroom was tiled and made into a wet room complete with a drain in the floor. The council did it for her but that was a while ago

Wendy

thanks for all that, certainly food for thought. she already has a shower (3 in fact!) and a wet room but hates them as a "bath" person & just longs to get into a bath again. The filing time is a good point & I shall suggest one of those chairs or a sling thingy that lifts up & down in a normal bath. Thanks everyone.

My disabled father had a very expensive (nearly £5000) walk-in bath fitted a few months ago and has just paid for it to be removed as it proved totally unsuitable for his needs. He found it difficult to get in and out because of the step up to the door and not comfortable to use once inside. His community nurse told him after he'd already ordered the bath (and paid a huge deposit) that most people who fit these baths end up getting rid of them soon after because they can't get on with them. I'd advise your Mum to definitely save her money and try one of the alternatives suggested ;-)

Has she tried a bath board? Cheap, easy, and any district nurse or occupational therapist could advise.
Karen