Bathroom Safety Checklist for Seniors
Check every item your bathroom already has. Your score and the top fixes update as you go.
Estimates use typical installed prices and standard measurements. They are not a quote. An in-home consultation sets your exact price.
Why bathrooms are risky
According to the CDC, about one in four adults age 65 and older falls each year, and falls are a leading cause of injury in that age group. Bathrooms combine every risk factor: slippery floors, stepping over a 15-inch tub wall, standing up from a low toilet, and reaching for towel bars that were never meant to hold body weight.
The fixes that help most
- Grab bars at the toilet, tub or shower, and entry, anchored into framing.
- A lower entry: a low-threshold shower, curbless shower or walk-in tub removes the tub wall.
- A shower seat and handheld shower so bathing can be done sitting down.
- Non-slip surfaces inside the tub or shower and on the bathroom floor.
- Comfort-height toilet (17–19") or a toilet safety frame.
- Anti-scald protection — a pressure-balanced or thermostatic valve, or a water heater set to 120°F.
- Lighting — bright overhead light and a night light or motion light on the path from the bedroom.
- Lever handles on faucets and doors for arthritic hands.
- No loose rugs; use low-profile, rubber-backed mats only.
- A door that opens outward or slides, so someone who falls against it can still be reached.
Start with the quick wins
Some fixes cost little and take an afternoon: removing rugs, adding night lights, setting the water heater to 120°F, and placing a non-slip mat. Grab bars and a handheld shower take a short professional visit. Removing the tub wall is the biggest single safety improvement, and conversions are often installed in one or two days.
For a full accessibility check of door widths, floor space and entry heights, try the accessible bathroom check.