The Best Hot Tub for Seniors: 4 Mobility-Friendly Options
By Jennifer Rhodes · Updated
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One of the best ways to improve your health and wellness is through hydrotherapy. However, many seniors find that they need special accommodations to make it easier to get in and out of a hot tub.
If you're looking for a hot tub for an elderly friend, family member, or yourself, then you have probably found yourself wondering what features should be included so that those with physical limitations can enjoy all the benefits of being in a hot tub.
While a healthy senior can, in theory, use any hot tub, there are some that are better for us as we age. In this article, we will look at 4 different hot tubs—each with different features picked specifically with seniors in mind.
So, let's take a look at the best hot tubs for seniors and see which one is right for you.
Best for a couple: Hot Spring Triumph
The Hot Spring Triumph is a beautiful double-lounge spa that has plenty of jets to target your back, calves, and feet.
This model is especially well-suited to couples as—thanks to the two loungers—you can both get maximum relaxation at the same time. But as it fits four people, there's also plenty of room for the grandchildren to enjoy when they visit too!
What's more, this model features a wide bench seat as a cooldown ledge—great for cooling off, but it can also be used as a handy step if you need help getting in and out of the hot tub so you don't need to step down so far at once.
Best compact: Hot Spring Stride
Seniors looking for a smaller spa may find the Hot Spring Stride to be a good option. This compact model has three seats, but also offers plenty of leg room thanks to the lounger, meaning you'll still be able to properly stretch out.
This model is also great if you have mobility issues—the lower step-over height means it's easy to just hop in at any time without needing assistance. And due to its small size, this is the best hot tub if you're looking for something that will fit in just about any garden or on your patio!
Best easy-open: Strong Spas Summit Series S40
The Strong Spas Summit Series S40 is a US-made spa with a cooldown seat arrangement which provides handy steps for safe entry. But that's not the main reason I want to bring this spa to your attention.
It's not just getting in and out of a spa you have to think about, but lifting the cover on and off too. While cover lifters can help with this, you do still need some amount of upper body strength.
If this is something you struggle with, take a look at Strong Spas. Their DURA-SHIELD Hard Cover can offer a feature not found in any other hot tub—a built-in automatic cover lift system. All you have to do is push a button. You can see how it works in this video:
You don't need to be young and strong to take care of this spa cover either; it requires no maintenance so it's perfect for seniors who may find that they lack certain abilities once their strength starts to decline with age.
Best inflatable: Intex PureSpa Greywood Deluxe
I don't normally recommend inflatable spas for those with mobility issues because they do not have seats; you have to sit on the floor, which may be uncomfortable for anyone with hip problems.
However, if you have to get an inflatable, the PureSpa Greywood Deluxe is one of the largest you can find so you will at least be able to stretch out.
As this spa is inflatable, it's also very easy to move around too—which can be great if you find that you don't want to use the hot tub all the time, or if your garden layout changes over time.
Intex make adjustable plastic seats which you can buy separately, to raise yourself up off the floor a little:
Just bear in mind that these are still not going to provide the comfort of a good-quality acrylic spa, and they may not be suitable if you cannot sit almost on the floor.
FAQs
Can seniors use hot tubs?
Yes! Most seniors can use hot tubs. In fact, hot tubs can help to alleviate pain for those with arthritis or other painful joint conditions. Even if you have a clean bill of health, using a hot tub could still improve your overall wellbeing.
As long as you follow a few simple rules like setting an appropriate temperature, staying hydrated, and limiting your time to 20 minutes or so, enjoying a soak is perfectly okay.
If you're unsure whether you should be using a hot tub or not, the smartest thing you can do is to consult your doctor. Based on your health and any medications you're taking, they'll be able to tell you if you can safely enjoy a hot tub.
Are hot tubs good for seniors?
Thanks to the heat, massage features, and natural buoyancy of the water, hot tubs are wonderful for soothing sore muscles and joints. This means they can provide people with many health benefits, including senior citizens.
A study from the University of Saskatchewan showed that even 30 minutes of soaking the lower body in hot water could help lower blood pressure in elderly people.
However, you still need to set up the hot tub in a way that's going to keep you safe. This means taking appropriate precautions to prevent injuries from falling, whether you need to install handrails, non-slip mats, or something else to make the spa easy to get in and out of.
Is it dangerous for seniors to use a hot tub?
While most healthy seniors shouldn't have an issue when using a hot tub, it's not safe for all. Some of the most common reasons seniors may be advised to avoid using a hot tub include:
- Having a heart condition
- Being diagnosed with diabetes
- Having a compromised immune system
Again, if you're at all unsure, always check with your doctor.
Whether or not you have one or more of these conditions, it's still a good idea to avoid using a hot tub alone. That's because the quick change in temperature from the water to the air can cause dizziness and fainting. So, by having a buddy around, you'll be taking a critical step to ensuring everyone's safety.
Final thoughts
So there we have it—our top picks for hot tubs that seniors should find easy to use! I hope these models provide a good starting point for your research, and that the features I've pointed out can help you find the perfect tub.
For more tips on how to make your spa safe, you might enjoy my other article: Easy Access Hot Tubs: 5 Ways to Make Spas Safer & More Accessible.