As we age our risk of falling while doing everyday tasks increase and more falls occur in the bathroom than any other, but affordable bath safety products (i.e. grab bars, bath lifts, raised toilet seats, etc.) can help prevent falls and spare you the cost of an entire bathroom renovation. Bath lifts in particular continue to increase in popularity because they provide many of the same benefits as walk-in tubs at a fraction of the cost and without the installation issues.

When searching for independent bathing options for people with mobility issues, the most common are walk-in bathtubs and bath lifts. Bath lifts allow anyone with mobility issues to independently and safely enjoy a relaxing bath in their own home at an affordable price, and many are actually portable (so the same independent bathing experience can take place while traveling). The Invacare Rio Bath Lift is new to the market from a manufacturing world leader in innovative home medical products and is already being praised as one of the most comfortable and advanced personal bath lifts available.

The latest technology has been incorporated into the Rio Bath Lift, but it remains very easy to use for the user and is controlled by easily pushed buttons on a floating remote (it is always reassuring to know if you drop the remote in the bath it simply floats back to the top of the water for retrieval). Users will appreciate the back rest for a secure feeling, and to lounge against while enjoying a relaxing bath.

One of the common complaints about home medical supply products is the overall look and design (truthfully, on some items I agree) so I (and many others I talked with) was pleasantly surprised to see the Rio Bath Lift has a more sleek (the word “streamlined” comes to mind but I am not sure if that explains enough) and attractive look overall.

Another feature I was impressed by is how smoothly this lift lowers and rises. I would label the Invacare Rio a luxury bath lift for that fact alone, but other features deserve accolades too. When I’m sitting in this bath lift, the gentle lowering and rising are the focus but when I’m standing looking at it the safety features catch my eye.

Suction feet ensure this bath lift stays steady and secure, but the easy release suction cups make sure it is as simple to remove the Rio Bath Lift as it is to install it. I’ll admit I’m not much of a fix-it kind of person, so I would prefer to leave any sort of installation to someone else but this is one thing even I can install! Installing the Rio is quick and easy – the kind of easy that doesn’t require any tools. I’ve fallen for the “installation doesn’t need tools” line before, so I made customer service take the Bath Lift out so I could attempt to install it myself. Shocking, but true – the bath lift was so uncomplicated I installed it without tools or another person helping me!

Sales people had also touted how light the Rio Bath Lift is, but like “no tools installation” claims I’ve found that people have very different definitions of “light” when it comes to product weight and carryability (yes, I made that up – it is the ability to carry – haha). Again, I was impressed by the lightweight Rio and how comfortable I was moving it.

Portability is certainly an advantage of the Invacare Rio Bath Lift; with the combination of the light weight, easy installation (no tools), and the easy release suction feet the Rio would be trouble-free to take on travels as well as use at home. I don’t know about throwing it into a carryon for a plane ride, but certainly it would be easy to throw into the back of a vehicle with all the other luggage for a family trip (nobody but the person packing the car will even pay attention to it being there).

Going with the cliché of saving the best for last, the Rio Bath Lift is very affordable. If you want to know how the Invacare Rio compares to other bath lifts click here. If you’re new to looking at bath tub lifts you will probably find it most helpful to start by reading these tips on how to choose the right bath lift for you. If you’re like me, and you want to sit in the Invacare Rio Bath Lift before you buy click here to find a retail location closest to you.