A bath lift can greatly improve the quality of living for anyone who suffers from a condition that restricts their mobility. Bath lifts are mechanisms that are capable of safely lowering a person into a bath tub and lifting them back out again.
Until recently, bathtub lifts were found mainly in hospitals or extended care facilities.
These models were large, expensive, and still required a trained care giver to aid the patient. Advances in composite materials and safety design have made it possible to have a safe, industrial quality bath lift in the home that can be operated by the patient without the aid of a care giver or assistant.
Before purchasing a bath tub lift, consider the following:
Tub Dimensions
Bath tubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It is very important to take the time to measure your tub and compare to the manufacturer specifications before purchasing a bath tub lift.
Ease of Installation
Be sure you select a bath lift that does not require special mountings or brackets to be installed in your bathroom. A quality bath lift will mount to your tub
using suction or pressure.
Intuitive Controls
The controls should be simple to use and easy to understand. Look for large easy to see buttons and make sure they are clearly labeled. The control box should also be sealed and waterproof.
Quality Materials
The structural components should be made with water-resistant materials and strong enough to support the user’s weight. Pay close attention to the weight capacity that the manufacturer specifies.
Battery Life
Most home bath lifts use low voltage DC motors powered by rechargeable batteries. Most lifts are capable of at least 8 lifts per charge. Make sure that you will be able to obtain additional batteries from the manufacturer at a reasonable cost. Under normal operating conditions, the batteries can last approximately 2-3 years.
Be aware that in the UK it is against FSA regulations to resell a bath lift that has been used. As a result, these items are generally considered non-returnable be resellers. With that being said, make sure you do your homework and follow these tips and you will have a great safety device that will provide
years of trouble-free service.