Grab bars in the bathroom: where and how to install them for an elderly person?
- Samuel Provencher
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
In a bathroom, it only takes a few seconds to lose your balance: getting into the shower, stepping over the edge of the bathtub, getting up from the toilet, or moving on a wet floor. Installing grab bars in the bathroom makes these movements safer while preserving the person's independence.
It's essential to choose the right model, place it in the right spot, and fix it to a sufficiently sturdy structure. A poorly positioned bar can be difficult to reach, hinder movement, or give a false sense of security.
Why shouldn't a grab bar be installed randomly?
A support bar is designed to assist a precise movement. It can be used to:
maintain one's balance while standing;
entering or exiting the shower;
to step over the edge of a bathtub;
sit on a shower bench;
getting up from the toilet;
to transfer from a wheelchair;
reduce the strain on the legs and knees.
Its location must therefore be determined according to the person's size, strength, preferred side, habits, and room configuration.
Before installation, it is helpful to observe the actual movements performed: where does the person spontaneously place their hand? At what point do they seek support? Do they have to pull on the bar, push on it, or simply stabilize their body?
This observation is more relevant than automatically applying the same height in all bathrooms.
Where should grab bars be installed in the shower?
In a shower, the safety bar must be reachable before the person becomes unstable.
A grab bar can be installed near the entrance to secure the transition between the bathroom floor and the shower floor. It provides support before entering and then again when exiting.
A second grab bar can be placed on the back wall or a side wall. It helps maintain balance during washing and can assist movement towards a shower bench or seat.
The location depends in particular on:
on the side from which the person enters the shower;
of the presence of a threshold;
of the position of the tap;
from the location of the bench;
the possibility of using the shower in a seated position;
of the width and depth of the space;
of the possible presence of a caregiver.
The bar must not be hidden behind a door, too far from the entrance, or placed in a location that forces the person to bend over dangerously to reach it.
Vertical, horizontal or angled bar: which one to choose?
The shape and orientation of the bar depend on the movement to be accompanied.
The vertical bar
A vertical grab bar is particularly useful at the entrance to the shower or bathtub. It can be gripped at different heights and is well-suited when the person needs to step over a threshold or ledge.
It also facilitates the gradual transition from a standing to a sitting position.
The horizontal bar
A horizontal bar provides continuous support over a certain length. It helps the person to stabilize themselves or move slightly along a wall.
It can be useful in a shower, near a bench or next to the toilet, provided that its height corresponds to the movement performed.
The angled or L-shaped bar
The L-shaped bar combines a horizontal and a vertical section. It allows for gripping at various heights and supporting different movements within the same space.
It is often useful in an accessible shower or near a bathtub, as it provides support for getting in, sitting down, and standing up.
The folding bar
Near the toilet, a folding grab bar can be used when space does not allow for the installation of two fixed wall-mounted grab bars. It folds up when not needed and folds down to provide support.
However, its installation requires a particularly robust fixing, capable of withstanding the forces exerted when the person sits down or stands up.
Where should the grab bars be placed near the bathtub?
The edge of a bathtub poses a significant obstacle for an elderly person or someone with impaired balance.
A vertical grab bar installed near the entrance can help with stepping over the edge. Inside, a horizontal or angled grab bar can provide stability and support when moving to a bath seat or board.
The grab bar must remain accessible from both outside and inside the bathtub. It must not force the person to excessively extend their arm, pivot abruptly, or lean on the faucet.
A towel rack should never be used as a grab bar: its fixing is generally not designed to support the weight or movements of a person.
Where should I install a grab bar near the toilet?
The bar placed near the toilet primarily helps to control the descent and to get back up.
Depending on the room layout, it is possible to install:
a horizontal bar on the side wall;
an angled bar;
a folding bar;
two supports, when the toilet can be approached from both sides.
The location must take into account how the person sits, their strongest arm, and the possible presence of a wheelchair or caregiver.
A bar that's too far away forces you to bend over. A bar that's too high makes it difficult to push effectively. A bar that's too low can be hard to grab when standing up.
In some cases, installing a raised toilet or an adapted seat can supplement the support and further reduce the effort required.
At what height should a grab bar be installed?
There is no universal height suitable for all people and all uses. The correct position depends on the desired movement.
To determine the location, several factors must be considered, including:
the person's height;
its standing or sitting position;
the range of motion of his arms;
its ability to pull or push;
the side of the body offering the best support;
the height of the shower or toilet seat;
the presence of mobility assistance.
When a bathroom needs to meet specific requirements, the recommendations of an occupational therapist can be incorporated into the project. The therapist analyzes the individual's abilities and the movements they perform daily. The contractor can then plan the necessary reinforcements and carry out the installation based on these recommendations.
How to securely fix a grab bar?
The strength of the installation is just as important as the bar's location. A fixing made solely in the tile or drywall is not necessarily sufficient to withstand strong tension.
The bar must be fixed in a structure capable of withstanding the applied forces, for example:
correctly marked wall studs;
wooden reinforcements installed behind the wall;
a structural support adapted to the composition of the wall;
a fastening system designed specifically for this purpose.
The type of wall, the position of the studs, the condition of the support and the weight likely to be applied must be checked before drilling.
In a shower or around a bathtub, every hole drilled must also maintain the wall's watertightness. Improperly installed fixings can allow water to seep behind the wall covering and cause damage that remains invisible for several months.
Can a suction cup bar replace a permanent bar?
A suction cup grab bar may seem convenient because it requires no drilling. However, it is not the same as a grab bar fixed to the building's structure.
Its adhesion can vary depending on:
of the nature of the coating;
the format and joints of the tiles;
humidity;
soap residue;
of the condition of the suction cups;
of the force exerted on the handle.
It can come loose without warning and should not be considered as a permanent support point intended to bear the weight of a person.
To permanently secure a bathroom, it is best to install a bar designed for this purpose and securely anchored in a suitable structure.
Why plan for reinforcements during renovation?
The best time to prepare for the installation of grab bars is during renovation, before the walls are closed up.
Adding reinforcements behind the wall panels allows for:
to choose the location of the bars more freely;
to ensure a secure attachment;
to avoid depending solely on the position of the amounts;
to add a bar immediately or a few years later;
to preserve the new coatings.
Even if the occupants do not yet need support, this preparation can facilitate aging at home and avoid more complex work later on.
It is therefore important to note the precise position of the reinforcements and to keep photographs before the walls are closed. This information will be useful during a future installation.
Grab bars are not always enough
The bars are an essential element, but they are more effective when they are integrated into a coherent design.
To secure a bathroom, it may also be relevant to consider:
a non-slip floor or shower tray;
a shower without a threshold or with a reduced threshold;
a fixed or folding shower bench;
a shower-phone accessible from a seated position;
easy-to-use taps;
sufficient lighting;
a raised toilet;
a clear circulation area;
accessories placed within easy reach.
The bench, shower head, and grab bars must be designed together. A seated person must be able to reach the faucets and the handheld shower without standing up or letting go of their support.
Have grab bars installed by BonBain Construction
BonBain Construction installs grab bars as part of bathroom renovation and adaptation projects in Montreal, Lachine, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard and on the South Shore.
We study the room layout, the movements to be secured and the composition of the walls in order to determine the appropriate locations and fixing systems.
When the bathroom is fully renovated, we can also coordinate wall reinforcements, barrier-free shower, bench, non-slip flooring, faucets and other necessary equipment.
Discover our bathroom accessibility services or contact us to discuss your project and request an estimate.
BonBain Construction – Renovating means living better.
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