The Hidden Costs of Outdated Bathing Systems: Why Upgrading Matters

How much is your outdated bathing system really costing you? Aging tubs and obsolete equipment create all sorts of hidden financial, operational, and compliance risks. Investing in modern bathing solutions isn’t just about upgrades – it’s about protecting residents, staff, and your bottom line. Keep reading to learn the real costs of outdated bathing systems in your community.  

The Financial Drain of Outdated Bathing Systems

❌ Rising Maintenance Costs

Frequent breakdowns lead to higher repair costs over time. Replacement parts for discontinued brands are expensive and difficult to find. Additionally, downtime disrupts resident care routines, leading to operational inefficiencies. Lastly, ignoring preventative maintenance can actually lead to direct injuries and place residents in harm’s way.

❌ Increased Infection Risk

Older tubs lack advanced sanitation features, leading to significantly higher contamination risks. Bacteria buildup, standing water, and poor drainage all increase infection rates. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 1-3 million serious infections occur every year in long-term care facilities. Modern solutions, like Apollo Bath’s UV disinfection and commitment to superior hygiene standards, help stop infections before they start.

❌ Caregiver Strain and Turnover

High-lip tubs and manual lifting requirements put caregivers at risk for back injuries. Injured caregivers lead to understaffed shifts and increased hiring costs, which are already exceedingly high. In fact, the average cost to replace an employee in senior care ranges from $3,500-$5,000. Facilities investing in no-lift bathing systems report fewer staff injuries and better retention.

“We’ve seen a clear drop in UTIs, cellulitis, and skin tears since installing our Apollo tub with UV disinfection. Even caregiver injuries have gone down due to easier transfers. It’s made a measurable difference.” — Karen Snavely, RN, BSN, Resident Care Director, Heartland Park Senior Living

When you step back and look at the full picture, the costs of outdated bathing systems go beyond repairs – they impact staffing, resident safety, and care quality. Would you trust your family to bathe in your community? Elevate your bathing experience – NOT your residents.  

Cost of Outdated Bathing Systems vs. Apollo Bath’s Solutions

Many outdated bathing systems no longer meet today’s senior care standards. Rising operational costs, safety concerns, and compliance risks – the true costs of outdated bathing systems – often go unnoticed until it’s too late. These systems generally require manual transfers, lack modern infection control measures, and can contribute to caregiver injuries. In contrast, Apollo Bath’s Advantage™ and ReGenTM  systems offer:

• Both no-lift and walk-in access to reduce caregiver strain
• UV disinfection and antimicrobial materials, such as medical-grade, gel-coated fiberglass that is bacteria resistant, for superior infection control
• Compliance with ADA and CMS regulations to prevent costly citations
• Efficient self-cleaning systems
• A spa-like, resident-centered bathing experience that enhances comfort and dignity, while protecting your hard-working team

Every bath matters. Investing in better solutions pays for itself in care quality, staff well-being, and compliance.  

The Hidden Costs of Non-Compliance

⚠️Regulatory Risks and Citations

Senior care communities that fail to ensure safe, modern bathing areas for their residents continue to face more and more risk. Facilities that do not meet ADA and CMS compliance standards can result in citations, increased insurance costs, and even lawsuits. Most notably, communities that do not maintain proper infection control measures, such as water temperature limits, drainage efficiency, and sanitation measures, risk penalties or even license suspension.  

⚠️ State-Specific Compliance Factors

Some states, like California and New York, require stricter accessibility standards for roll-in showers and walk-in tubs than the federal ADA minimums. Others, including Florida and Texas, mandate slip-resistant flooring and additional grab bar placement regulations. Not only are there costs of outdated bathing systems – failure to upgrade could put your community at both financial and regulatory risk.  

The Smart Investment: Why Upgrading Matters

✔️ Return on Investment of Modern Bathing Solutions

Savings on maintenance, fewer staff injuries, and lower infection rates add up fast. Many facilities even report that Apollo Bath’s Advantage™ system paid for itself in under a year. More efficient systems lead to better resident care, happier staff, and long-term financial stability.  

✔️ Creating Safer, More Dignified Bathing Experiences

Would you want your loved ones bathing in outdated, uncomfortable tubs? Residents deserve a spa-like, therapeutic experience that improves their well-being. Better baths lead to better lives.  

Let Apollo Bath Do the Lifting

Let’s talk about the future of your facility – starting with compliance, safety, and operational efficiency. If your current bathing systems are outdated or non-compliant, you may already be facing hidden risks that impact both resident care and your bottom line. From rising maintenance costs to increased liability, the costs of outdated bathing systems can quickly add up. Fortunately, there’s a better way forward. Apollo Bath offers modern, compliant, and caregiver-friendly solutions that help your community deliver safer, more dignified care. Don’t wait for a citation or staff injury to make a change – take a proactive approach today. 📅 Schedule a free consultation to evaluate your facility’s risks and discover how Apollo Bath can help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

▶ What are the long-term costs of outdated bathing systems?

Outdated tubs often lead to rising maintenance expenses, increased infection rates, caregiver injuries, and compliance citations. These costs compound over time and impact your facility’s financial stability, staff retention, and resident safety. Upgrading to a modern solution helps reduce the long-term costs of outdated bathing systems.

▶ How do outdated bathing systems put my facility at risk?

Older tubs often lack essential safety features like slip-resistant surfaces, thermostatic mixing valves, and automated infection control. Above all, this can lead to caregiver injuries, resident discomfort, higher maintenance costs, and potential compliance violations that result in fines, citations, or even lawsuits.

▶ What are the key signs that our facility needs a bathing system upgrade?

If your facility experiences frequent maintenance issues, staff injuries from manual transfers, resident complaints about bathing discomfort, or concerns about infection control, it’s time to consider upgrading. Additionally, if your current system doesn’t meet ADA or CMS compliance requirements, your facility may be at risk.

▶ How does Apollo Bath help reduce caregiver strain?

Our bathing systems are designed with ergonomic, no-lift technology to eliminate the need for manual resident transfers. Therefore, our bathing systems reduce the risk of back injuries and fatigue, leading to better caregiver retention and improved staff satisfaction.

▶ Will upgrading to Apollo Bath systems improve our infection control efforts?

Yes! Apollo Bath’s systems feature UV disinfection, antimicrobial materials, and self-cleaning technology, which significantly reduce the risk of bacterial buildup and cross-contamination. These features help facilities meet stringent infection control regulations.

▶ How do Apollo Bath solutions compare to outdated systems like MasterCare or Invacare?

Unlike older systems that require extensive manual cleaning and lack modern safety features, Apollo Bath offers: Ergonomic, no-lift access for safer, easier transfers Infection control features, including UV disinfection ADA- and CMS-compliant designs to reduce compliance risks

▶ How quickly will an Apollo Bath system pay for itself?

Many facilities report that our systems pay for themselves within the first year due to reduced maintenance expenses, fewer staff injuries, and improved operational efficiency.

▶ How can I determine if our facility needs a bathing system upgrade?

Apollo Bath offers free consultations to assess your current bathing systems and identify risks related to compliance, infection control, and operational inefficiencies. After that, we can provide recommendations tailored to your specific facility’s needs.

▶ How do we get started with an Apollo Bath upgrade?

It’s simple! Schedule a free consultation with our team to discuss your facility’s challenges and explore customized solutions.