Next to removing anything that can be tripped over, grab bars are the most important things you can install in your bathroom to help an older person avoid a fall. For that matter, even younger people appreciate something to hang on to when stepping in and out of the tub or shower.

Ideally, wherever your elder is standing, there should be a solidly installed grab bar to hold on to. Towel racks and soap dishes are no substitute. They are not designed to hold anything heavier than a towel or a bar of soap. If your elder should slip, the towel rack or soap dish is likely to tear out of the wall and come down with your loved one. They are not safe to use for support. Ever.

Grab bars should be installed on all three walls of the tub/shower, as well as one outside the tub or shower to hold on to while stepping in and out. This means at the door of the shower or on the wall just outside the tub. They can be installed horizontally, vertically, or at any angle and height that will provide the best support.

Grab bars come in every imaginable color and size, so you should be able to find a grab bar to complement any decor. Because they must be able to hold a lot of weight, grab bars should be professionally installed unless you are experienced. You will certainly want someone who knows that they are doing if you will be installing grab bars through tile.

What if your tub enclosure is fiberglass and you cant/don't want to install grab bars into the wall? What if your tub doesn't have walls on all three sides? A clamp-on bathtub grab bar is the next-best choice.

If you have sliding doors on your tub you will find they pretty much block at least half of the available space for stepping in and out. Shower curtains are actually a better choice for people with mobility impairments as they are more flexible and they can be moved out of the way when necessary. Give some serious thought to removing those doors.

If you can't use permanently installed grab bars and for whatever reason a clamp-on safety rail won't work in your bathroom, then a portable bath safety grip handle is a third choice. This kind of bar uses suction, which is not always reliable and makes us nervous. They are by no means a good alternative for something more permanent. We have been told that they are good for people who travel and who don't know what kind of bathrooms they may encounter.