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The first thing to consider when you evaluate
your bathroom for senior safety is grab bars.
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.
Grab Rails Where You Can't Drill
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 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
Bathtub Grab Rail Bar
 is the
next-best choice.
If you have sliding doors on your tub you
will find that installing a tub safety rail will
pretty much block the remaining available space.
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 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.
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