How walk-in tubs, showers benefit the aging populace

The popularity of walk-in bathtubs and showers continues to increase as the population ages. Tropical Plumbing & Bath, first-place winner in Honolulu Star-Advertiser‘s 2016 “Hawaii’s Best” Awards, pioneered walk-in bathtubs in Hawaii more than 10 years ago. Company president Charlie Beeck recognized an emerging need in the aging population for home environments that would require greater attention to safety and convenience.

“The room in the house that poses the greatest safety risk to household members with limited mobility, whether from age or injury, is the bathroom,” Beeck said. “However, Tropical’s services extend beyond just selling a walk-in tub to a family. We also are licensed contractors with the capability to install the tub along with the necessary plumbing. Walk-in tubs and showers can be specified and purchased individually, or incorporated in a complete bathroom-remodeling package. Every home has a different layout and every family has different needs. So, we highly recommend that the home owner first contact our office and set up a no-obligation consultation with one of our bath designers who will meet with them at the home and review the existing facilities. Then, we can supply a plan and determine a budget.”

Beeck noted that walk-in tubs are available with an assortment of features and accessories, including 80-second, dual-drain technology, stainless steel frame, seats, head rests, hydrotherapy jets, air massage, inline water heater to maintain temperature throughout the tub, hand-held shower, easy-turn faucets, and grab bars. For a limited time, a special accessory — a seat heater — will be included at no charge with the purchase of a tub.

“Walk-in showers have become one of our most popular installations, often replacing old fashioned stall showers,” Beeck added. “They are larger, more open, with built-in seating, often with a variety of special shower heads, and some are entirely barrier free and wheelchair accessible. We also add grab bars with the necessary blocking in various bathroom areas, and, as licensed contractors, we understand the structural modifications all these appliances and accessories require.”

Recently, Kuakini Medical Center chose fully equipped, American-made walk-in bathtubs from Tropical Plumbing & Bath for installations in men and women’s senior living facilities. “It was an honor to have our product chosen by Kuakini for their Residential Care facility,” Beeck said. “As general contractors, we were able to handle the entire project for them. The fact that a highly regarded medical and care facility made the decision to install these fixtures demonstrates the increasing acceptance of walk-in tubs.”

For more information or a free on-site consultation, call Tropical Plumbing & Bath at 847-0970.

TROPICAL PLUMBING & BATH
contact // 847-0970