Elevance Rising Wall Bathtub by Kohler

Not long ago I wrote an article on the very stylish Teuco walk-in bathtubs. In that article I wrote about some of the disadvantages of walk-in tubs.  Mainly that walk-in tubs are just that, you have to walk into them, turn, and then sit down. So they’re not practical for many wheelchair users or those who cannot transfer independently. Kohler has developed a bathtub with a rising wall that can be accessible to more people and those who may not have been able to use a typical walk-in tub. The Elevance rising wall bathtub creates a much wider opening and a seat that can be transferred onto.

Most of the Elevance looks like other walk-in tubs with a basic bathtub shape and a built-in seat. The main difference of course is the outside wall. Instead of  a door, the upper half of the wall can slide up and down. Raising and lowering is manually operated and requires less than 5lbs of force to do either. When in the down position, the seat is not blocked. You will still need to lift your legs some to get them in the bathtub so this still may not be accessible for those who have difficulty or pain when lifting their legs.

Opening and closing the drain is done with a toe tap feature. Push down on the drain cover with your toe to open and close. A stick of some kind can be used also for those who are not able to use their toes. When the water does drain, Kohler claims that all of the water drains within 2 minutes. I would still recommend a handy towel nearby to dry yourself while the water drains. Especially for those who are sensitive to temperature, this can prevent getting a chill.

 

Though still not for everyone, this style bathtub by Kohler has the potential to make bathing and soaking accessible to more people. Below is a promotional video of Elevance. Kohler also has a section dedicated to accessible products and ideas that you view here Kohler Bold Independence.