Beactive Mobility On-line Advice Brochures

Bath Lifts

If you are enquiring about bathlifts it means that you are probably finding it difficult to getting out of the bath.

Things we used to do without even thinking about when younger, we now have to consider.

As we get older and our joints become painful, stiff, or just not so strong, it becomes more difficult to stand up from such a low position. We can no longer spring in and out of the bath as we did when younger.

Isn’t it cruel? it’s easier to get into a lovely warm bath than it is to get out?

Visions of being stuck in the bath and having to call for help to get out are very real fears.

Calling the fire brigade or a neighbour is embarrassing and undignified for you.

Another way people attempt to get out is by turning over onto “all-fours,” then pulling up on grab handles, a nearby sink or what ever comes to hand, which can be painful on the wrists, shoulders and knees, as well as unsafe.

Here are the facts about these bath lifts

There are today, modern, safe, well designed bath lifts that fit straight into most baths with no drilling or screwing required. They can be portable, so they can be taken out if needed, fitted into the bath in seconds ready for a relaxing hot soak. You can bathe with confidence and ease with an electric bath lift.

All you have to do once a bath lift is placed into your bath, is bring the seat up from the bottom of the bath by pressing the “up” button on the handset, sit on the side transfer flap attached to the seat, lift your legs over, and once in the middle of the seat, simply press the “down” button. You will now be lowered gently and safely to the bottom of the bath.

Most people can bathe by themselves using a modern battery operated bath lift, retaining dignity and independence. You’ll feel better after a luxurious bath, relaxing as the heat from the water seems to gently warm your bones.

You will be able to relax, knowing that at the touch of a button, the lift will gently and safely bring you to the top of the bath. (If the removable battery pack doesn’t have enough power to bring you out of the bath, it won’t lower you down). You can bathe safely, knowing you won’t become stuck or fall over, because you won’t have to stand up until you are out of the bath.

Here are 7 important questions you should consider before buying a bath lift

1. Will it fit my bath?
Short baths, narrow baths, low baths, dimpled baths, every bath is different.

Here is a guide to the different types of bath and the possible problem areas.

Dimpled baths; if your bath has dimples covering all the bottom of the bath, a bath lift will not fit safely. If the dimples only cover a portion of the bottom of the bath, there is normally enough room to ensure the lift suckers will fix safely.

Low baths; (which are easy to step into, but difficult to stand up from) are not normally suitable, as the amount of water in the bath could be to low to be of any benefit.

Short baths; these are not always suitable as you cannot stretch your legs out if this is important for you. However the bath lift will still lower you down to bathe in the water easily, you just couldn’t put your legs out straight.

Narrow baths; These can be a problem for some bath lifts as the sucker feet may not stick due to the curvature of the sides. It can also be a problem if the bath has a “waist” (it curves in the middle reducing the width of the bath).

2. Will I need a reclining or fixed back lift?

Fixed back bath lifts need less room in the bath, and they offer good back support when bathing.
Reclining type bath lifts can be adjusted to allow for the angle at the opposite end to the taps, to allow you to lie back and have a relaxing soak.
However, when sitting and bathing, there is no support for your back on this type of bath lift.

When the button is pressed to raise the bath lift, the back comes up gently to the upright position to support you as the bath lift rises out of the water.
Advice; If your balance is an issue then a fixed back bath lift would be best for you.

3. Does fitting a bath lift involve any drilling or permanent fixing?

No, there is absolutely no drilling, screwing or plumbing required.

4. Can the bath lift leave me stuck at the bottom of the bath?

No, bath lifts have a failsafe device built in so if there is not enough power in the battery to bring you up safely, the bath lift will lock and will not lower you down.

5. Can I get an electric shock?

No, the bath lifts are powered by a battery pack which is water proof. They quick disconnect for recharging with a small charger which plugs into a plug socket in another room.

6. Will I actually be in the water?

Because you are sitting on a seat, when the lift is lowered you are approx 2” to 3” off the bottom of the bath. If you fill the bath to within 2” of the overflow, your displacement will bring the water level up to the overflow. This will allow maximum water and will cover your lower body, allowing you ample water to bathe with ease.

7. Why do some bath lifts have covers on the seat and back?

These covers are non-slip and are usually fitted to reclining type bath lifts to prevent sliding down the bath. They also offer a limited amount of cushioning.
Advice; If you cannot lift yourself slightly up off the seat when getting on and off the bath lift, then a plain plastic type surface could be best for you (similar to the bath surface).

Three items of advice;

1. We have looked at and evaluated many bath lifts and we will not supply any with a plastic frame rather than steel, as these have and can break, where the seat joins the base.

2. Some bath lifts use a battery pack that locates on the rear of the seat. These can be very heavy to lift off to recharge, and awkward to reach if on the side facing the wall.

3. Inflatable bath lifts; with this type, a compressor is used normally outside the bathroom, with a hose running to the lift in the bath. A hose trailing across the floor can be a trip hazard, and you can’t shut the door to give you privacy.

With this type, once the air has been let out of the lift, (to lower you down) you will then find you need to top up the water as the size of the blown up seat causes displacement.

When you finish bathing, you then need to let most of the water out of the bath as the seat being pumped up with air to raise you up will cause the bath to overflow.

There is no back support to this type and they are not suitable if you have any balance problems as they can deflate unevenly.

4. Belt type -this type is often to be found in the weekend national papers advert section. The picture shows a bath with a shelf along the wall side. This is because the mechanism protrudes out over a normal bath (which most people have with the bath against the wall) which means you can’t sit in the middle of the bath.

Once again there is no back rest for support, and as the belt lowers you down you need to constantly shift yourself across to maintain a centre position.

The plus side is it will get you right to the very bottom of the bath.

Now here are the two major brands we supply

We’ve looked at 9 different bath lifts from different manufacturers and narrowed it down to just these two, one a fixed back the other a reclining bath lift

1.Promedics Marine

This has a stainless steel frame (not plastic) which goes nearly half an inch lower than any other bath lift. It will also take 26.5 stone so it shows how well built this is!

The adjustable back is curved to support you and will fold down if you need to remove it from the bath. There is a 3 year warranty on electrical parts and 10 year warranty on the frame, the only bath lift manufacturer to offer this.

2. The Mountway Neptune

This is the bath lift we award 5 stars to for the slim-line design, which fits more baths than any other, lightweight easy to charge battery, and suckers that stick like no others adding to the safety and confidence you will feel.

We always have both types in stock, ready to see which one will suit you and your bath the best, so you can bathe with ease, safety and confidence, as the water gently warms you.

It’s now over to you… Simply call us now or come in and we will listen to what your particular needs are and then advise you which of the suggested bath lifts is best for your individual needs.

Call 01502 568848 to book a free home assessment, or pop into the store at 8 Bevan Street East, Lowestoft in the next 7 to 10 days to see for yourself the bath lifts in our fitted bath, and then leave the rest to us.

Do let me know if there are any other questions I may not have answered. You are more than welcome to call me or any of my knowledgeable staff and we’d be happy to explain anything you need to know.

Current Bath Lift pricing

Because we commit to buying over a year, large amounts from these two companies who offer top quality, safe and reliable products, we can pass the savings we make onto you.

Mountway Neptune Recommended retail price £567 discount price for you;- £525 Saving £42!

Promedics Marine recommended retail price £574 discount price £499 Saving £75!

Contact Us

Simply call us to speak to a Mobility Advisor, book a free product demonstration, ask for advice or book a scooter service. Click here for contact details.