Bath Lifts: Four Reasons to Choose a Chair Over a Belt
Bath lifts are a great alternative to walk-in tubs since they can be installed over current baths and don’t force users to wait until all the water has drained away before they can get out. However, you might not know that there are two different types of bath lift.
- Belt Bath Lift: The user lies on a thin belt or set of belts that get lowered into or raised out of the water.
- Chair Bath Lift: The user sits in a chair that gets lowered into or raised out of the water.
Both options come with their own advantages and drawbacks, but chair lifts are probably the more popular of the two. Here are just four reasons to choose a chair bath lift over a belt bath lift.
- Added Comfort
Most people find sitting on a chair more comfortable than lying on a belt. Your whole body is supported, and there’s no shift in comfort level as you get in or out. Additionally, belts provide no space for cushioning, while chairs do.
- Easier Washing
If mobility issues have prompted you to look for a bath lift, you’ll probably have started to find that washing yourself has become harder. When you suffer from muscle or joint problems, it isn’t so easy to reach across your whole body. It’s even harder when you’re lying down in the bath – getting down to your legs or reaching your back can be particularly challenging. When you’re seated, it’s much easier to get to every part of your body.
- Superior Adjustability
A chair bath lift can usually be tilted backwards or forwards to create the perfect level of support. With a belt bath lift, that isn’t possible. If something feels wrong, you’ll simply need to live with it.
- Added Safety
Finally, belt bath lifts can become harder to use as mobility issues grow more severe. It becomes easier and easier to slip as you get onto or off of those belts. It’s much simpler and safer to get into and out of a chair-based lift system.