Short answer: Standard baths are hard to use when stepping over the high side, sitting down on the bath floor or getting back up becomes difficult. Small aids such as grab rails, bath boards and bath lifts can help for a while. When they are no longer enough, replacing the bath with a walk-in bath or a level access shower is usually the safest long term answer.
Getting in and out of the bath is one of the first everyday tasks to become difficult when mobility changes, whether that is because of age, arthritis, a stroke, surgery or a long term condition. It often happens gradually, so people adapt without noticing how risky their routine has become.
This guide explains why a standard bath causes problems, the warning signs to look out for, and the solutions available, starting with the simplest.
Why a standard bath becomes hard to use
A standard bath asks a lot of your body. To use one, you need to:
- lift one leg over a high side while balancing on the other, on a wet floor;
- lower yourself all the way down to the floor of the bath;
- push yourself back up from a low, slippery surface, often with stiff knees or hips;
- step back out over the side while wet and possibly a little light headed from the warm water.
Each of these needs strength, flexibility and balance. When any one of them weakens, the whole routine becomes difficult. Getting up from the bottom of the bath is often the hardest part, and some people find themselves stuck in the bath until the water goes cold or someone comes to help.
Warning signs that the bath is no longer safe
People find clever ways to keep using a bath, but some of those habits are risky. Watch out for these signs, in yourself or in a parent:
- Leaning on fittings for support. Basins, towel rails, shelves, soap dishes and radiators are not built to take a person's weight and can give way suddenly.
- Kneeling or rolling to get out. Turning onto all fours and climbing over the side is a common workaround, and it puts a lot of strain on knees and wrists.
- Avoiding baths altogether. Switching to quick strip washes because bathing feels too risky.
- Needing help that is not always available. Waiting for a family member to be in the house before having a bath.
- A recent fall or near miss in the bathroom, or a new diagnosis that affects balance.
If you recognise any of these, it is time to change the bathroom rather than keep changing how you use it.
Small changes that can help straight away
For many people, a few simple aids make a standard bath safer for a while:
| Aid | What it helps with | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grab rails | Steadying yourself stepping in, sitting and standing | Must be fixed securely into solid wall or proper fixings |
| Non-slip mat or surface | Grip inside the bath and on the floor | Check suction mats regularly and keep them clean |
| Bath step | Reducing the height to step over | Needs a stable, non-slip surface and good balance |
| Bath board | Sitting across the bath to wash | You still swing your legs over the side |
| Bath lift | Lowering you into the water and raising you up | Battery powered; still needs legs lifted over the rim |
In Scotland, equipment such as bath boards and seats is usually assessed for and provided through the local Health and Social Care Partnership after an occupational therapist (OT) assessment, sometimes on free loan. Grab rails and similar smaller items are often arranged the same way. You can see the fixtures we fit on our bathroom adaptations page, and our guide on making a bathroom accessible for an older person covers other quick wins such as lighting and raised toilet seats.
When it is time to replace the bath
Aids help, but they do not change the basic problem: a high side and a low floor. If you still struggle with an aid in place, or your mobility is likely to change, replacing the bath is usually the safer route. There are two main directions.
Option 1: a walk-in bath
A walk-in bath has a watertight door in its side, so you step over a low threshold instead of the full height of the bath. You sit on a built-in seat at roughly chair height, so there is no need to get down to the bath floor. A powered lift seat can lower and raise you if sitting down is also difficult.
This option suits people who can still walk a few steps and sit on a chair, and who would really miss having a bath. You do need to sit in the bath while it fills and drains. Our guide explaining how mobility walk-in baths work covers the details, and you can see our walk-in bath installations.
Option 2: a walk-in or level access shower
Replacing the bath with a shower removes the step altogether, or reduces it to a very low tray. With a fold down seat, grab rails, a thermostatic shower and a hand shower, you can wash safely while seated. A shower also gives a carer room to help, and works with a shower chair or a shower commode chair if mobility declines further.
For many people, especially wheelchair users and anyone with a progressive condition, a shower is the more flexible choice.
Comparing the two
| Walk-in bath | Walk-in or level access shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Step to get in | Low step through a door | Very low or none |
| Can you have a soak? | Yes | No |
| Suits wheelchair users | Rarely | Yes, with a shower chair |
| Room for a carer | Limited | Good |
| Typical installed cost (specialist suppliers) | About £6,000 to £12,000 or more | From about £6,000 |
Costs are typical ranges from specialist suppliers, not quotes. Your own price depends on the room, the layout and the products you choose.
If you are still deciding between these and other options such as bath lifts and low sided baths, our comparison of easy access baths for older people sets them side by side.
Getting help with assessment and funding
An OT assessment is a good first step. The OT looks at how you move and recommends equipment or adaptations to suit. In Scotland you can usually request one through the council's social work service or the Health and Social Care Partnership. It is also sensible to speak to your GP if falls or dizziness are part of the picture.
For bigger changes, the council's Scheme of Assistance can help. Councils must give a grant of at least 80% of the eligible cost of adaptations a disabled person needs to use a bath or shower, rising to 100% for people on certain benefits. (The Disabled Facilities Grant is the equivalent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.) VAT relief can also reduce the cost:
- 0% VAT on adapting a bathroom for someone who is chronically sick or disabled, where the work is needed for their condition;
- 5% VAT for people aged 60 or over on items such as grab rails, bath lifts, built-in shower seats and walk-in baths with sealable doors, supplied and installed by the same installer.
Check your eligibility with your council and HMRC before you rely on any of these.
We are a family run team based in Glasgow, supplying and fitting across Scotland. Our own staff handle plumbing, electrics, joinery, flooring and waste removal, and many installations take as little as 3 days.
Finding the bath harder to use? We can draw up a free 3D design showing a walk-in bath or shower in your room, with a no-obligation quote. Send us a message to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to use a towel rail to get out of the bath?
No. Towel rails, basins, shelves and radiators are not designed to take your weight and can come away from the wall. Fit proper grab rails instead.
Can I swap my bath for a shower in the same space?
Usually, yes. A walk-in shower often fits in the space a bath used to take, and the extra floor area can make the room feel bigger. The drainage needs checking at the survey.
What should I do if I get stuck in the bath?
Let the water out first so you do not get cold, and try to roll onto your side and use a firm grab rail if one is in reach. If you cannot get out, call for help or use a personal alarm if you have one. If it has happened once, it is a clear sign to speak to an OT about changes.
