| As my 90-year-old mother prepares to move into an | | | | apartment with a walk-in bathtub. |
| independent living community, she has many | | | | The retirement community my mother chose has |
| concerns. She wants to be sure the food is good, | | | | savvy management. With the current state of the |
| her apartment is light and spacious, and there are | | | | economy, the demand for retirement communities is |
| fellow bridge players. She needs to know additional | | | | down and empty apartments are up. They know my |
| assistance is available if she needs it, and that her | | | | mother is not unique, that many seniors would |
| grandchildren will have a place to stay when they | | | | appreciate the independence and enjoyment of |
| visit. She also needs to know she will be able to | | | | walk-in bathtubs. So this company decided to install |
| continue to bathe by herself, so the bathtub/shower | | | | walk in bathtubs in all their empty apartments, not |
| is one of her many important concerns. | | | | just my mother's. |
| Like many people her age, my mother's balance is | | | | My mother's senior community is owned by a national |
| imperfect and her mobility is limited. Her familiar | | | | corporation, as are most such facilities. The |
| bathing arrangement at home involves seats and | | | | corporation is considering walk-in tubs for all their new |
| grab bars. She is able to lift her leg over the lip of the | | | | construction. Management recently contacted the |
| shower and safely enter the stall. The adjustable, | | | | manufacturer of walk-in bathtubs in order to get the |
| long reach shower head allows her to sit while she | | | | best wholesale price possible. Knowledgeable |
| washes herself. | | | | customer service professionals helped the corporate |
| In addition to the shower, my mother has a beautiful | | | | buyer decide on the best walk in tubs for their |
| deep tub in her bathroom at home. This tub would | | | | clientele. |
| be therapeutic and soothing for her arthritis, but since | | | | The walk-in bathtubs will provide the corporation with |
| it is not a walk-in tub, it has been years since she has | | | | a distinct business advantage, and they will do much |
| been able to use it. Even with help (which she doesn't | | | | more. Walk-in tubs will help seniors like my mother |
| want anyway), she has safe no way to get into that | | | | maintain their independence longer by allowing them |
| lovely bathtub. | | | | to continue to bathe by themselves safely. These |
| For my mother, being able to soak in a bathtub again | | | | well-designed bathtubs will also give the residents |
| would help overcome her reluctance to move. | | | | soothing and enjoyable bathing experiences. It is |
| Surprisingly, not all of the retirement settings my | | | | remarkable how a simple modification in a living space, |
| mother explored had handicapped bathtubs that she | | | | such as a walk-in bathtub, can help ensure dignity and |
| could use by herself. Because her continued | | | | a good quality of life for senior citizens. My mother |
| independence is paramount for her, she rejected any | | | | helped the management of her new community see |
| facility without a walk in tub. The place my mother | | | | that good business and the well being of residents |
| selected offered to replace the standard tub in her | | | | are mutually compatible. |