As I am approaching senior citizenship, nothing sounds better to me than a nice hot bath to sooth away the soreness of my joints and muscles after a long hard day of work. In my research over retirement issues, and affiliate marketing for grandparents, and researching my own retirement, I have come across a lot of information about hot tubs for seniors. I have gathered a few facts, and wanted to share them with you in case you find you’re stressed and achy. So here’s what I found. Let me know what you think.
I’m Just an Old Girl With Arthritis
Before we get too far into this discussion, I want to tell you that it is vitally important that you check with your doctor before attempting any kind of heat therapy such as using a hot tub or spa. Also, pay attention to hot tub manufacturing guidelines and rules of any public hot tub or spa.
Also, I’m not a doctor or any kind of health specialist. So, any advice I can give you is purely my opinion and nothing else. Again, check with your doctor or health professional before attempting hot tub or spa therapy.
What Is a Hot Tub (Or Spa)?
“A hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of water used for hydrotherapy, relaxation or pleasure. Some have powerful jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are sometimes also known as spas or by the trade name Jacuzzi.
In contrast to a typical bathtub, a hot tub is designed to be used by more than one person at a time, with many models accommodating four or more people. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, although they can be installed indoors. Also, the water in a hot tub is not changed with each use, but is kept sanitary using methods similar to those used for swimming pool sanitation. Another difference between baths and hot tubs is that soaps and shampoos are not used in wet-jetted hot tubs (although they can be used in air-jetted hot tubs).” From Wikipedia
Why Is a Hot Tub or Spa So Important For Enriched Senior Living?
According to the CDC, more than 54 million adults in the U.S. have a type of arthritis. The majority of those are aged 65 or older.
Hot tubs and spas can help you cope with the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation recommends warm water therapy, and research confirms its benefits.
Where Do I Find Hot Tubs or Warm Pools For Therapy?
Most public recreation centers feature a hot pool or hot tub for therapy regimens. Perhaps the closest to me, is the Silverthorne Rec Center in Silverthorne Colorado. You can find a recreation center by Googling your town government.
Local hotels often have hot tubs. Check with the front desk staff to see if you could schedule regular times to use their hot tub. Because we have no community pool, our local hotel allows swimming lessons and water aerobics classes in their pool, and also rents its hot tub for physical therapy.
Hot springs and mineral pools. Where I live in the Rocky Mountains, there are geothermal pools throughout the state. Many are set up to accommodate people with decks, steps, seats, dressing rooms, and handrails. These typically charge a daily entrance fee. The one closest to us, in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, has a punch card deal where you purchase your visits in bulk and pay less per visit, having your card punched for each visit you use. Google to find a hot spring in your area.
However, there are several hot springs locations that are free to the public. They are primitive, with no handrails, steps, or seats. But you still get the benefit of the heat. Saratoga Wyoming has a free hot springs including two public pools with established stairs, seats, and handrails, and a locker room/rest room/changing room, but they also have the “Hobo Pool“. It’s a “rocked-off” area in the adjacent North Platte River where the hot water flows down from the pools. If you are up for a little climbing down a semi-steep embankment, the hobo pool is a great place to get your hot water fix. Again, Google to find a free hot spring in your area.
Install a hot tub or spa in your home. It’s my opinion that if you have medical or exercise equipment in your own home, you are more apt to use it regularly. You can have a professional contractor install anything from just a jetted tub to a large pool outside with seating for 8-12 adults, depending on how much money you want to spend. My favorite is the step in tubs that can be installed in a regular bathtub footprint, that keep you sitting upright, and have a door for entrance and exit.
One thing I’ve been excited about, is the availability of inflatable hot tubs or spas. They require no special electrical or plumbing; just a flat surface, a garden hose, and an extension cord. You can even bring them when you are RV camping. They are available in several sizes and can be moved or taken down and stored. They are a less expensive alternative to installing and hard-wiring a tub in your home.
And then there are the home made hot tubs and spas. If you are handy, then making a hot tub can combine your talent with your need for hot water therapy. Stock tanks, like you would use to provide water for cattle and horses, make great hot tubs. Combine with a propane heater, and you have an inexpensive hot tub.
Turn Your Plain Old Bathtub Into a Jetted Spa
There are many products available that you can install into any standard bathtub that can bubble or jet air into your tub, allowing you the benefits of a jetted tub, without the disruption and expense of installing a high dollar model.
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Why Should I Use a Hot Tub?
Here are the benefits you get from hot tub or warm pool therapy:
Stretch Out in the Pool
- Go for a dip. When you have arthritis, a warm pool is the ideal place to strengthen your muscles and increase your flexibility. The water will reduce the force of gravity compressing the joint and offer 360-degree support for sore limbs that have limited range of motion.
- Reap the rewards. Flexibility and relief last long after you towel off. Studies show that patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia who participated in warm water exercise programs two or three times a week could move around better and had as much as 40 percent less pain.
- Don’t overdo it. Maximum benefit is reached after about 20 minutes in a warm pool or bathtub. Make sure you drink water before and after your dip.
How Do I Pay For a Hot Tub or Spa Installation
Medicare will cover durable medical equipment if prescribed by a licensed physician. Will medicare pay for a hot tub? Medicare will not pay for luxury items such as a hot tub unless it’s prescribed by a licensed physician to treat a specific condition.
Your doctor will tell you if heat therapy or hydrotherapy is a good treatment for you. Work with your doctor, your insurance company, and your contractor, because you might be able to get insurance to pay for at least part of the tub and the installation.
Do Affiliate Marketing to Get Extra Money For Your Spa
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In Conclusion
Hot water or hydrotherapy is great for sore muscles and stiff joints. Once you check with your doctor about your treatment options, hopefully you can find a public hot tub or warm pool that will work for your therapy regimen. It’s a great place to meet people and get your hydrotherapy! Or you can work with one of the many installation options available to put a hot tub in your home. Check out your options, and if you have comments or questions, please put them below. Thanks for reading!
References:
https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/blog/june-2017/arthritis-by-the-numbers.aspx
https://www.jacuzzi.com/en-us/hot-tubs/blog/can-hydrotherapy-help-arthritis
Thanks a lot for such an amazing review about Hot Tubs for Seniors – A Nice Hot Bath and explanations are given.
I have long wanted a bathtub like this behind the court. I have read many articles related to arthritis and this bath tub, but this is the best, for sure my mother will like the bath and use it.
Thanks again and keep in touch !
Hi Rzvanllie, thank you so much for reviewing my post and leaving your comments. I really want a hot tub too. I guess that’s why I wrote the article, because I am having a little wishful thinking today. Anyway, I am glad you are thinking of getting a tub for your mom to use. I hope it will help her out! Thanks for sharing this with her. And thanks again for reading and adding your thoughts. Rhonda
Taking a hot bath is extremely relaxing. It soothes one from head to toe. Personally, I love hot showers. Hot baths are important for senior living as you mentioned. Though I think some don’t take it because it is known that the hot water wrinkles the skin and they may feel they are already wrinkled enough. lol True though.
Hi Linda, thanks for your comments. I giggled a little at your comment about being wrinkled enough. To be honest, I am past that point and can’t see how more wrinkles are going to do me any harm. hahaha. I also like showers. I have a bathtub in my home, but we really hate it, and want to replace it with one of those walk-in models, but the funds for it won’t arrive for quite a while. So, I might get an inflatable for now. Anyway, thank you for the laugh. And thanks for reading and commenting! Rhonda
hello there thanks for this awesome article it would be of great help to the public as it has been of help to me .I must tell most times the best thing to do we stress and anxiety is trying to way you down…then a good old hot bath would just do the job and so it would be of help to our seniors too.
Hello again Feji ben, thank you for visiting my site. Glad you got some good information and I hope it has helped you, as well as the community you mentioned. Yes, there is nothing like a hot bath to sooth away all that stress and anxiety! Thanks as always for reading and commenting! Rhonda
I have had some severe pain in my left knee over the last weeks, and the orthopedic told me that this is due to an inflammated knee capsule. He recommended heat therapy, for example hot compresses. This led me to your site. I was doing some research, and ended up here 🙂
A hot tub could perhaps help too. My knee is getting better, but I was thinking of getting something to relieve my knee of pain, if it should ever come back … I am 47, and this pain is the worst I have ever had, it left me in tears. Now that it’s getting better, I was thinking (and worrying), what if this pain returns at a later point in my life? I should do something about this.
I like the idea of a hot tub, because I am also building my house, and I was thinking of a hot tub, but I was not sure yet. Now that you mentioned the benefits, and made me think how it could benefit my knee, I am more inclined to install a hot tub in my house (when it’s built).
Then again, inflatable hot tubs are also a good idea. I could just store it when I don’t need it. Is the material on those inflatable ones strong enough to withstand an accidental scratch (let’s say, one of my dogs or cats that jumps up at it).
Hi Christine, thank you for commenting and asking your question. If your knee pain is anything like mine, I feel for you! It’s like someone took a knife and stabbed me right in the knee. So, yes, I can certainly relate. I am glad you looked at the options I included and hope that information was helpful. As to your question, I read a lot of product reviews for the inflatables, and they are pretty strong. Several people have had dogs and cats around them, and have not had a problem. One person said that the inflatable hot tub was a log stronger than it looked. So, it looks like it would hold up. I hope that helps! Anyway, thank you again for your comments, and thanks for reading! Rhonda
Thank you for this great article Rhonda! It’s amazing how hugely can hot tub be helpful. I am luckily not having a big health issue right now, but I am using it anyway. What I can say from my own experiences is that it is a perfect tool to fight with tiredness. I do use it usually with the combination of sauna, which makes it even more helpful I think. In general after my fitness or any kind of sports activity. What I did not know is, that it can be so affordable to install those at my own house. Perfect! I am living still in Appartement( rented) but hoping to move to my own house soon. Then it’ll be perfect to go for it and I am surely going to find your website again and have a look at your suggestions. Well done!!
Hi Julius, thanks for visiting my website and reading my post. I saw, in a lot of my research on this subject that pairing your hot tub time with sauna time as well. Perhaps I need another article on saunas. I don’t have a hot tub either, but I do own my home. I am thinking my husband might get me an inflatable hot tub for my birthday! This article put a bug in his ear! Anyway, glad you are using a hot tub, and thanks again for stopping by my site. Rhonda
Hi Rhonda. I really liked your article. It did not bring me news because I have been installed in the Jacuzzi house for over 16 years and I feel excellent. Especially in the cold season I use. In addition, the osteopathic doctor recommended that I put aspirin in the water. I’m glad, though, that you’re trying to make the world aware of the benefits of a hot bath.
Hi Carmen, thank you so much for reading and responding to my article. I can always use backup for the things I have researched, so it’s great to hear from a beneficiary of what I’m recommending. Oh and the thing with the aspirin in the water! I had not heard that before. Sounds like an easy thing to do. Anyway, thanks again for reading and commenting! Rhonda
Thank you so much for sharing such an excellent article with us. Your article was interesting informative. I have got a lot of information about Seniors Hydrotherapy. Senior Hydrotherapy I’ve used for my parents. My parents have been using Hot Tubs for Seniors for a long time and have benefited from using Hot Tubs for Seniors. Hot Tubs for Seniors To relieve pain in the joints and muscles. My parents benefited from using Hot Tubs for Seniors and I think other people like my parents could benefit from using Hot Tubs for Seniors.I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back to your website later. Thank you again for sharing such a beautiful article with us.
Hello and thank you so much for reading and commenting. I am glad you found my information useful, and I’m glad you are sharing this with your parents. Thanks again for your complements, and thanks for visiting my website! Rhonda
When my parents were talking about getting a hot tub I thought they were just wanting to enjoy their retirement, I had no idea that there were actual health benefits from having a hot tub. I hope my wife doesn’t see this post! 🙂 They are much more affordable than I had thought too, do you think the inflatable hot tubs would be sturdy enough if it is mainly just the two of them using it? I will share this post with them now, I appreciate the help!
Hello Travis, thanks for visiting my website. Oh come on now, get the wife a hot tub. Happy wife, happy life, correct? Just joshing you! I did some digging when another reader asked about the sturdiness of the inflatables. She was concerned that her pets would scratch the tub and make it leak. A lot of the reviews say that the inflatables are pretty strong. One review said that they could site on the side and that it held up, So it sounds like it would be pretty rigid. I have made up my mind I’m going to get one this summer, so I will return with a review when I get it! Anyway, Travis, thank you again for reading and commenting! Rhonda