Best Bath Lifts for Elderly and Disabled

Elderly users with reduced mobility, or those with disabilities, can find tasks such as bathing difficult. With the assistance of mobility aids, such as a bath lift, using a bathtub can be much easier and safer. Bathlifts gently lower users to the bottom of the bath, allowing them to fully bathe and relax, and the lift helps them back up when finished.

With a bath lift, users who would otherwise have needed assistance getting in and out of the bath can enjoy the pleasure of independent bathing once more. Read on to discover our guide to the Best Bath Lifts for Elderly and Disabled people.

What's Covered in This Guide?

• Best Reclining Bath Lift Chair
• Best Bath Lift Belt
• Best Bariatric Bath Lift Chair

Best Reclining Bath Lift Chair

Our Top Pick: Bellavita Electric Reclining Bath Lift

Why We Love It: One of our best-sellers, this battery-powered bath lift with removable backrest is extremely easy-to-use. At the touch of a button, the Bellavita Electric Reclining Bath Lift gently lowers to the bottom of the bath allowing the user to bathe, and raises them up to the top again to safely get out of the tub. The backrest of this reclining bath lift, reclines to a maximum ideal angle of 50 degrees, and can be easily adjusted by a hand control, allowing the user to sit back and relax in the bath.

Not the Best For... Heavier users. The Bellavita Electric Reclining Bath Lift has a maximum weight of capacity of 22 stone (140kg). For heavier users, the Invacare Aquatec Orca Bath Lift XL can accommodate users weighing up to over 26.5 stone (170kg).

Customer Verdict: "My 92 year old mother greatly values her ability to have a bath each morning... It took perhaps 30 minutes to assemble and install ( I have rheumatism in my hands which slowed me down ) Now a week on, mother has used it every day and is extremely pleased , especially by the ability it has to sink very low in the bath and recline." James 

Not quite what you're after? Check out our full range of bath lifts for even more choice.

Best Bath Lift Belt

Our Top Pick -Relaxa Easy Lifting Belt Bath Lift

Why We Love It: For users who would prefer something that provides a little more help with getting over the wall of the bath, the Relaxa Easy Lifting Belt Bath Lift offers reliable assistance. This belt-operated bath lift seamlessly lowers and raises the user in the water using a soft, but stable, belt, and is ideal for those whose skin is prone to bruising or contact-based injury when using more mechanical options. It also comes with other handy features such as thermometer with immersion-safe probe to state the temperature of the water and prevent risk of scalding.

Not the Best For... Users who would prefer a bath lift with a backrest. The Relaxa Easy Lifting Belt Bath Lift has no backrest to support the back during bathing. Users may find that the back of bathtub provides adequate support, but for those who require extra support the Bellavita Electric Reclining Bath Lift may be a better option.

Supplier Guarantee: "The Relaxa bath lift is a slimline bathing aid which fits most baths and is easy to install. There are no electrics or plumbing required and the bath lift operates using a handy rechargeable battery. The belt gently lowers you into the bath and again gently rises, when you are ready to get out. The Relaxa bath lift enables you to have a full, deep soak." Relaxa Mobility

Not quite what you're after? Check out our full range of bath lifts for even more choice.

Best Bariatric Bath Lift Chair

Our Top Pick: Invacare Aquatec Orca Bath Lift XL

Why We Love It: Ensuring everyone of all sizes and shapes can have mobility support for bathing, the Invacare Aquatec Orca Bath Lift XL accommodates users with a maximum weight of 170kg. This reclining bath lift features a reinforced scissor mechanism to move up to 170kg in weight while remaining compact and easily manageable. The seat height can be kept low (at only 60mm) for those who enjoy a deep and relaxing bath, while the backrest reclines to ensure maximum comfort. Providing an easy and safe operation, the bath lift operates with a 3-button waterproof floating hand control and has an emergency stop button to prevent accidents. A standard version of this chair which accommodates a user weight of up to 140kg is also available.

Supplier Guarantee: "Our Invacare Aquatec Orca range provides superior quality and durable bath lifts that are designed to offer comfort, safety and reassurance to those most in need of support as they bathe. The Aquatec Orca bath lift features an impressive weight limit… increased leg room for deeper and more relaxed bathing, among other functions. The bathing aid also features a textured seating surface that allows use without covers if desired." Invacare

Not quite what you're after? Check out our bath lifts for even more choice.

Choosing the Right Bath Lift Chair

As established in this blog a bath lift provides an excellent aid for elderly users or those with reduced mobility to safely use the bathtub for bathing. It is also worth pursuing for other users who have started to feel unstable when standing due to pain or weakness in the back, pain or weakness in the shoulders and upper body, or balance issues or dizziness. Regardless, all users using a bath lift are still required to be fairly ambulant, and have the strength needed to be able to lift their legs over the side of the bath while in a seated position, and maintain sitting balance while the bath lift is going up or down.

When choosing the right bath lift chair it's a good idea to think about the following:

• How easy is it to get onto the seat and lift your legs over the bath side?
• Is a reclining backrest required?
• Is it difficult to bend or stretch?
• Is something more heavy-duty required?

Our battery powered and electric bath lifts are all designed to be easy and safe to use, but if you've not quite found the right one in this guide please check our full range of bath lifts. You may also wish to take a look at our bathing and showering range which feature other useful products and mobility aids for bathing. Alternatively, if you would like to talk to someone for further advice, please see the contact us page or leave a comment down below.