In my younger days I worked in a veterans hospital, and decided to earn a certificate in Gerontology in order to learn more about my clients’ needs. I spent a good many years learning about folks with limited mobility, safety adaptations, and the special needs of the elderly. I also did a lot of personal care for my patients, so I learned pretty much first hand how easy it is for some little thing the rest of us take for granted to become a hurdle to accomplishing the activities of daily living.

These days I spend much more of my time with kids than with older folks, but I do have a couple of family members who are dealing with chronic health issues. When I see something that might be of use to them, it usually piques my curiosity enough for me to take a bit of a look.

Today I visited a site that has a number of products - from transfer benches that allow a person in a wheelchair to sit down to take a shower, to a kit of several adaptive items that assist in the more difficult aspects of dressing (buttons, zippers, shoelaces, etc.) By far the most interesting products on this site, though, are the walk in bathtubs.

If you’re anything like me, a bath is not just part of your daily routine. It’s a pleasure and a luxury, and time to let the stress of the day just melt away. Make that bath deep enough for me to really get a good soak and add some water jets, and now I’m in heaven! This is precisely what you will find at Remain Active. They offer a range of walk in tubs that have health and safety advantages - and they’re beautiful to boot!

For anyone who has ever had limited mobility, the easy access of a walk in tub is a huge advantage. This is not just a matter for older folks or those with a longterm mobility difficulty. Think about getting into one of these luxurious tubs after a particularly rigorous workout, when your every muscle is screaming for warmth and a good strong massage from the water jets. Stepping into the tub through a low-profile entry makes it even easier, and the depth of the tub means more of your aching muscles will receive the hydro-therapy benefits.

Hydro-therapy tubs are used in hospital maternity units, as well. Late in pregnancy, and especially during labour, the warm water helps Mama to relax and alleviates pain. I remember the awkwardness of climbing into these tubs when I had my children. It was certainly worth the effort, but it would have been more dignified to step into one of these lovely walk-in tubs. And so very much easier to get out again afterwards!

Remain Active’s tubs are a beautiful addition to the bathroom. Forget any image you might have of an adapted tub. These are elegantly designed tubs that would fit into any decor. I particularly like the Savannah model. It’s one of the larger tubs, with a bit more emphasis on curves than some of the others. The outside of the door is recessed and equipped with a towel bar, so things will stay tidy around the tub.

Thinking about a hot tub or personal spa? Walk-in tubs are a good alternative. They are easier to install, need no special chemicals, and offer the hydro-therapy benefits of heated water and jets - without using a lot of water. Each tub is equipped with safety bars and a hand-held shower, which makes them handy for parents of younger children who still need help with bathing, as well as for the golden agers.

Several of Remain Active’s models come in two sizes, so you can select the one that best suits your needs. They all fit into the same space as a traditional 60″ bath tub. There is also a beautiful steam shower model with a recessed seat, which would fit nicely into a smaller home or a spare bathroom. Remain Active tubs all carry a ten year warranty; the door seals are guaranteed for life.

All you need now are some candles and aromatherapy bubble bath, and a nice cup of chamomile tea. Prepare to melt your troubles away in the perfect tub!

This work was created by Ruby of Freehold 2, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

Excerpts copyright quoted authors. Please visit their sites to read more, and respect the terms of their copyrights. Thanks! For more details, or to order one of these walk in tubs, please visit Remain Active.

I made this one year with my Brownies, as a gift for them to give at Mother’s Day. This is an easy present, and fun for kids to make. Package it in a cloth sachet with a little lace, in a mason jar topped with a pretty cloth and ribbon, or even in a paper envelope sachet.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered milk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup epsom salts, table or sea salt
• 1/2 cup baking soda (use more for hard water)
• 1/2 cup dried lavender, chamomile or rose petals (or for a more invigorating, sporty scent try mint or rosemary)
• a few drops essential oil of your choice (optional)

To Make:
Using a blender, mix up the milk powder, oatmeal, salt and baking soda. When reduced to a powder add essential oil if using, and blend for a few more seconds. Add dried plant material last. You can blend just a bit if you like. It’s now ready to package. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup per bath. Enjoy!

This work was created by Ruby of Freehold 2, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

Excerpts copyright quoted authors. Please visit their sites to read more, and respect the terms of their copyrights. Thanks!