Walk-in tub statistics 2024

Walk-in tub statistics

The walk-in tub market in the U.S. is growing due to increased demand for technologically advanced bath therapies in hospitality, healthcare, spas, wellness centers, and for personal home use. The market is also growing significantly due to an aging population and higher rates of obesity.

In 2022, the U.S. walk-in bathtub market was valued at $757.26 million and is anticipated to grow to $941.61 million by 2028, which makes for a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

• Over the next 15 years or so, it is projected that the number of Americans age 65 and older will  reach 80 million.
• There will be an estimated 19 million people in the United States age 85 and older by 2050.
• Given these aging trends, there will be a growing number of adults who desire to “age in place” by continuing to live out their lives at home, as well as modifying their dwellings to fit their needs.

According to a study by the University of Michigan, 88% of older adults between ages 50 and 80 said that it is important to them that they live in their homes as long as possible. Forty-eight percent of older adults who live alone said they don’t have someone in their lives to help them with personal care if needed, such as bathing and dressing.

With the median cost of a private room in a nursing home reaching over $100,000, aging in place is a more cost-effective approach for many seniors.

Typically, numerous home updates need to be made for aging in place to be a viable living situation for seniors, including safety modifications to entryways and hallways, changing the placement of cabinets, seating in kitchens and making bathrooms more accessible with additions like walk-in tubs and showers.

In 2019, the aging-in-place and home care markets were estimated to be worth approximately $151 billion per year, with this population sector accounting for $60 billion of that estimate. This projection was calculated before the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for these services.

Types of walk-in tubs

There are a few different types of walk-in tubs. The model you select will be based on your budget, space, mobility/accessibility needs and personal preference.

• The traditional soaker is a standard walk-in bathtub design. Its main features include mobility aids like grab bars, safety features like low-step thresholds, and textured, nonslip surfaces. Traditional soakers may also include handheld or raised adjustable rod shower heads near the faucets. They may not have additional features like water or air jets.
• Combination walk-in tubs are those combined with a full shower. These tubs offer the option to bathe or shower while standing or seated.
• Hydrotherapy/aerotherapy tubs provide water jets (hydro) or air jets (aero) that add a massage-like effect to baths. There are walk-in tubs that provide one, the other or both.
• Two-seater tubs are designed for two people to use at the same time. These tubs are ideal for older adults who desire more tub space to bathe, couples who bathe together and those with limited mobility who need active assistance with bathing.
• Bariatric tubs are designed for larger individuals. These tubs have wider entry doors and seats.
• Wheelchair-accessible tubs have wide door openings and grab bars, making it easy to transition from a wheelchair to a seated tub.

Most popular features

Some of the most popular features of walk-in tubs include:

• Safety features: Many walk-in tubs follow the accessibility standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Handrails, grab bars, nonslip surfaces, anti-scald valves, low step-in entry and easy control panels can all aid mobility and accessibility, reducing the risk of falls and injury.
• Therapeutic features: Water and air jets provide a massage-like sensation that can relieve muscle and joint pain and improve circulation. Heated seats can also relieve achy muscles and promote relaxation. Finally, chromotherapy lighting (multicolor LED lights) can help reduce stress and improve mood.
• Fill/drainage features: Walk-in tubs can take up to eight minutes to fill and 15 minutes to drain, increasing the time spent in the tub waiting for water to fill or recede. However, many walk-in tub models offer quick-fill and quick-drain features that reduce fill and drain times to a few minutes or less.
• Shower features: Handheld or adjustable shower heads, as well as walk-in tubs that offer a full shower, can provide different options for bathing preferences, promote ease of bathing and encourage relaxation.
• Size features: Bariatric and wheelchair-accessible tubs have wider door openings for easy accessibility, and bariatric tubs have wider seats as well.

Cost statistics

Walk-in tub prices can range from $1,500 to $20,000, depending on the type of tub you buy, the added features you want and whether you use professional installation services or handle the installation yourself. Installation costs average around $1,500.

Some potential additional costs to factor in are:

• Plumbing upgrades may include the cost of materials and labor, resulting in an additional average expense of $350 to $2,000.
• Electrical work may include the purchase of motors, electrical upgrades and a water heater, along with a cost of up to $100 per hour for labor.
• Bathroom remodeling costs, including expanding or changing the bathroom layout if the floorplan does not fit the tub, may range from $120 to $275 per square foot.

Installation statistics

Installation of a walk-in tub can get expensive, so it may be tempting to cut costs by installing it yourself. A DIY installation can save around $700 to $3,000 in labor and keep expenses down to just the costs of the walk-in tub itself, averaging around $2,000 to $12,000, and needed materials.

However, installing a walk-in tub can be a detailed, tedious job that may require work permits, demolishing and removing an old tub, adding flooring reinforcements to support the new tub, properly setting and positioning the new tub into place, additional plumbing needs, electrical updates and other renovation costs.

For this reason, allowing a professional contractor to install the walk-in tub is preferred over a DIY approach, so they cna ensure that the walk-in tub is properly fitted, which can be of particular concern for installations in older homes.

Who are walk-in tubs for?

Walk-in tubs are particularly suitable for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Seated tub options accommodate mobility and accessibility needs, allow for independent bathing and reduce the risk of falls or injury. These tubs are also a good fit for anyone who might benefit from therapeutic or luxury bathing features.

Fall risk statistics

Falls are the leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among older adults, ages 65 and older. Falls may cause head injuries, broken bones and hip fractures, and can lead to hospitalization.

• In 2021, falls at home and at work caused 44,686 deaths.
• Fourteen million older adults, 25% of the older adult population, report at least one fall every year. As a result, around 37% of those older adults report requiring medical treatment or limited activity for one or more days.
• In 2021, the age-adjusted death rate for falls among older adults was 78 deaths per 100,000 older adults.
• Annually, about 800,000 people are hospitalized for fall-related injuries, and 300,000 older adults are hospitalized for hip fractures.
• Falls are easily preventable, and their likelihood can be reduced with equipment like a walk-in tub. Many walk-in tubs are fitted with multiple ADA-compliant features to reduce fall risk. These add-ons may include handrails, grab bars, non-slip surfaces, low step-in entries and built-in seating.

Differences between walk-in tubs and walk-in showers

Walk-in tubs and showers are safe bathing options for anyone needing mobility support or increased accessibility. The choice between a walk-in tub or walk-in shower is based on personal needs and preferences. Understanding the costs and benefits of each can help you make the best decision for your home.

Benefits of walk-in-tubs and walk-in-showers

Although safety features stand as the primary motivation for the installation of walk-in tubs, these tubs and showers also offer a variety of benefits that can be incorporated to be tailored to the user's preferences.

References

1. Arizton Advisory & Intelligence. “US Walk-in Bathtubs Market - Focused Insights 2023-2028.” Global Information. Evaluated Oct. 29, 2023.Link Here
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3. Urban Institute. “The US Population Is Aging .” Urban Institute. Evaluated Nov. 1, 2023.Link Here
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5. Gavin K. “Most older adults want to ‘age in place’ but many haven’t taken steps to help them do so .” University of Michigan. Evaluated Nov. 1, 2023.Link Here
6. Genworth. “Cost of Care Survey.” Genworth. Evaluated March 12, 2024.Link Here
7. TheGerontechnologist. “Key Takeaways From the $648B Care Economy Report and What They Could Mean for Age Tech .” Evaluated Nov. 1, 2023.Link Here
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11. Safe Step. “6 Easy Steps for Installing a Walk-In Tub .” Safe Step. Evaluated Oct. 29, 2023.Link Here
12. Statista. “Percentage of adults in the U.S. aged 65 years and older who reported one or more falls in the past year as of 2020, by age.” Statista. Evaluated March 17, 2024.Link Here
13. National Safety Council. “Make Fall Safety a Top Priority.” National Safety Council. Evaluated Oct. 29, 2023.Link Here
14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Older Adult Falls Data.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evaluated March 17, 2024.Link Here
15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Facts About Falls .” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evaluated Oct. 29, 2023.Link Here
16. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Fatal Injury Trends.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evaluated March 17, 2024.Link Here