Bathroom: aging-in-place checklist

The checks

1. There are grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower

   NIA: mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of the tub and shower. Towel bars and suction cups are not grab bars.

   High priority if missing. Usual fix: install two grab bars, $170–$600 (DIY). Source: National Institute on Aging , U.S. Access Board .

2. There is a grab bar or safety frame beside the toilet

   Getting up from a low toilet is one of the hardest moves in the house. The ADA benchmark puts bars on the side wall and behind the toilet.

   Medium priority if missing. Usual fix: add a toilet safety frame, $30–$120 (DIY). Bigger option: install a grab bar on the side wall. Source: National Institute on Aging , U.S. Access Board .

3. The toilet seat is high enough to rise from easily (about 17 to 19 in)

   Many older toilets sit lower than is easy to rise from. The ADA range is 17 to 19 in to the top of the seat.

   Medium priority if missing. Usual fix: add a raised seat with arms, $30–$120 (DIY). Bigger option: replace with a comfort-height toilet. Source: U.S. Access Board .

4. The tub or shower floor has non-slip strips or a mat, and the bath mat has a rubber back

   Place non-skid mats, strips or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet (NIA). A wet tub floor is the most slippery surface in most homes.

   High priority if missing. Usual fix: apply non-slip strips, $4–$17 (DIY). Source: National Institute on Aging , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

5. Getting into and out of the tub or shower needs no high step

   Stepping over a tub wall on a wet floor is one of the riskiest moves in the house. Options run from a bench under $200 to a curbless shower.

   High priority if missing. Usual fix: transfer bench plus handheld shower, $131–$345 (DIY). Bigger option: install a walk-in tub. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , AARP Livable Communities .

6. There is a handheld shower head that can be used sitting down

   Seated bathing removes most of the balance risk. A handheld head on a slide bar is a screw-on fix.

   Medium priority if missing. Usual fix: fit a handheld shower on a slide bar, $79–$171 (DIY). Source: AARP Livable Communities .

7. Hot water is set to 120°F or lower, or an anti-scald valve is fitted

   CPSC: most tap-water scald injuries and deaths involve older people and young children, and 120°F at the water heater reduces or eliminates most of them.

   Medium priority if missing. Usual fix: turn the water heater to 120°f (no cost), Free (DIY). Bigger option: install an anti-scald valve. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission .

8. There is a night light in the bathroom and on the way to it

   NIA suggests leaving a bathroom light on at night or using a night light that comes on automatically.

   Medium priority if missing. Usual fix: plug in motion night lights, $40–$53 (DIY). Source: National Institute on Aging .

9. The bathroom doorway is wide enough for a walker or wheelchair

   Older bathroom doors are often narrower than the 32 in a walker or wheelchair needs. Swing-clear hinges gain about 1½ to 2 in; anything more means widening.

   Low priority if missing. Usual fix: swap to swing-clear hinges, $22–$54 (DIY). Bigger option: widen the doorway. Source: U.S. Access Board .

10. The bathroom door can be opened from outside if someone falls inside

    The Alzheimer's Association advises removing interior locks a person could lock themselves in with. Privacy levers with an outside release do the same job.

    Low priority if missing. Usual fix: fit a lever with an emergency release, $100–$250 (DIY). Source: Alzheimer's Association .

11. Sink and shower controls are levers that are easy to work with wet hands

    Round knobs are slippery and need grip. Lever controls can be worked with a closed fist.

    Low priority if missing. Usual fix: install a lever faucet, $150–$400 (pro). Source: U.S. Access Board .

Measurements worth taking in the bathroom

Measure	Aim for
Wall stud positions and the tub rim height	Horizontal bars 33 to 36 in above the floor
Toilet seat height from the floor	17 to 19 in to the top of the seat
Tub wall height and the tub/shower footprint (length × width)	Threshold 2 in or less for a walk-in; level entry for a wheelchair
Bathroom door clear width (door open 90°)	32 in minimum

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important bathroom safety fix?

By severity and likelihood, the highest-risk check here is "There are grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower". The usual fix is to install two grab bars, at $170–$600 nationally.

How much does it cost to make the bathroom safer?

If every check here failed, the first-choice fixes would total $756–$2,130. 1 of the 11 fixes cost nothing and 4 cost $100 or less, so most homes start well below that.

Sources

1. National Institute on Aging: Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room (2022-09-12)
2. U.S. Access Board: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010)
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC STEADI: Check for Safety, a home fall prevention checklist for older adults (2017)
4. AARP Livable Communities: AARP HomeFit Guide (2025-05)
5. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Tap Water Scalds (safety alert 5098) (accessed 2026-10-17)
6. Alzheimer's Association: Home Safety (accessed 2026-10-17)