The next time you visit your mom or dad, take ten minutes to walk through their bathroom with fresh eyes. It’s the room where wet floors, hard edges and awkward reaching all come together.
This checklist from Big Easy Bathrooms walks you through each spot to check, from the tub edge to the light switch. Some fixes take an afternoon. Others point to a bigger change, and it helps to know which is which.
How easy is it to get in and out of the tub or shower?
Watch your parent step in and out, or ask them to show you. If they grab the towel bar, the sink or the shower door to steady themselves, the entry is the first thing to fix.
- Do they have to lift a leg over a high tub wall?
- Is there a shower curb or a door track to step over?
- Is there something solid to hold on the way in and out?
- Does the shower door or curtain get in the way?
If the tub wall is the sticking point, no mat or rail will fully fix it. A walk-in or curbless shower removes it.
Are there grab bars where your parent sits, stands and turns?
Look for real grab bars beside the toilet, at the shower or tub entry and inside the shower. A towel bar isn’t built to hold a person’s weight.
For public buildings, the 2010 ADA Standards set grab bars 33 to 36 inches above the floor and require them to withstand 250 pounds of force. Those rules don’t cover private homes, but they’re a sound guide.
- Is there a bar beside the toilet to help with sitting and standing?
- Is there a bar at the tub or shower entry?
- Are any suction-cup bars in use? They can loosen, so a bar anchored into solid backing is safer.
Is the floor safe when it’s wet?
Check the floor after a shower, not before. Water on smooth tile, loose rugs and slick tub bottoms are the usual trouble spots.
- Does water end up on the bathroom floor after every shower?
- Are bath mats rubber-backed, or do they slide?
- Does the tub or shower floor have a textured surface or a non-slip mat?
- Is there a place to sit down while drying off?
Can your parent sit to bathe and reach everything?
A seat and a handheld shower let most of a shower happen sitting down, and everything they need should be reachable without twisting or stretching.
- Is there a shower seat, and is it stable?
- Is there a handheld shower they can reach from the seat?
- Can they reach soap and shampoo without leaning?
- Does the hot water get too hot? The residential code requires new shower valves to be limited to 120°F.
For more on why seated, walk-in showers help, see our article on the benefits of walk-in showers for aging in place.
Is the bathroom easy to see and reach at night?
Night-time trips happen half-awake and in low light, so the route and the lighting matter as much as the fixtures.
- Is there a light switch at the door, or a night light along the way?
- Is the path from the bed to the toilet clear of cords and rugs?
- Is the toilet a comfortable height to sit on and stand up from?
- Does the bathroom door open wide enough for a walker, if they use one?
- Could they call for help from the bathroom if they needed to?
When is it time for a bigger change?
If the problems keep coming back to the tub wall, the shower curb or the lack of space, small fixes won’t solve them. That’s when a new shower is worth a look.
Our barrier-free showers have a level, roll-in floor, grab bars and a shower seat. Our walk-in showers offer a low entry with a fold-down seat or portable bath seat.
If you’d like a second pair of eyes on your parent’s bathroom, contact Big Easy Bathrooms or call 504-688-7786 for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How often should we recheck a parent’s bathroom?
At least once a year, and again after any fall, hospital stay or new mobility aid. A change in eyesight or medication is another good reason to take a fresh look.
Are suction-cup grab bars safe?
They depend on a tight seal to the wall, which can weaken over time. A grab bar anchored into solid backing is the more reliable choice for support you’ll lean on every day.
What should we look for in a shower seat?
A seat that stays put, either wall-mounted into solid backing or freestanding with rubber feet. Your parent’s feet should rest flat on the floor when they sit.
What is the first change to make?
Start with whatever your parent struggles with most, which is often getting in and out of the tub. Grab bars and a non-slip surface are quick wins while you plan anything bigger.
Can we make the bathroom safer without a full remodel?
Often, yes. Grab bars, a shower seat, a handheld shower and better lighting can all be added to an existing bathroom. Replacing the tub with a walk-in shower is the bigger step when the entry itself is the problem.
