However, it was not always that way with bathing being part of the community with a bathing building being a public place. Much has changed in recent times until now in modern life bathing is now very private due to society and bathing is now considered a necessity in modern life compared to centuries ago when it was only the very well off people that could afford to bathe.

In modern life, baths can come in all shapes and sizes and most have very deep sides and flat floors which can make it hard for some elderly people to bathe in comfort and confidence as some may have arthritis and other conditions that affect their movement. This may not allow them to get into the bath and this is where walk-in baths come into their own.

They work by allowing a little gate or sliding door into the side of the bath simply allowing the occupant to walk straight in without any fuss. This has opened up a new gap in the market with companies specialising in walk in baths for the elderly or disabled. But there is a downfall as some baths are quite expensive and some elderly people simply cannot afford them.

Most companies that sell walk in baths sell a wide range and size of baths allowing them to fit nearly every bathroom; this means that all senior citizens and disabled people can enjoy a confident and comfortable bath in privacy without any assistance from carers. The market for walk in baths is quite small and private as this part of the market is not as recognised as other parts of the market even though appearances on TV adverts and websites have been set up for all businesses selling walk in baths.

Some types of walk in baths also offer an electric operated lift seat as an option allowing the person to sit comfortably and then are lifted in the bath without any hassle or assistance.

Accessories are also included with some baths including rails that allow the person to hold on while bathing as well as soap dishes to place your soap after use and towel rails that are easily accessible to the user after they have got out of the bath.

Other options include showerheads, which allow people to have a choice when bathing. These showerheads can be fitted to the bath as standard as well as having them fitted to the wall in the house if it suits the person better. This means that all people will have their needs catered for with the wide range of walk in baths available.

Most companies that are selling walk in baths have showrooms across the country as well as brochures allowing the person to visit and test the baths before buying, meaning they have the correct bath that is suited to them, rather than a bath that is too big to fit the bathroom or one that is not comfortable enough when sitting in. Along side of this are websites that have also been set up by the companies that allow them to advertise their products in another way, allowing people to order a brochure or buy online as long as they have the correct measurements for the bath that they choose.

With this part of the market growing, it is certain that all disabled or elderly people can bathe in confidence and comfort, as there are baths on the market to suit everyone's needs, purposes and tastes.