9 Best Bathroom Grab Bars for the Elderly in 2022

best bathroom grab bars for elderly

The best nine shower grab bars are listed below to help you and your elderly stay safe and comfortable while using the bathroom.

Safety in the bathroom is improved by shower grab bars. A grab bar in the shower increases safety for people who are elderly or have mobility problems while bathing. Grab bars are installed on the side wall and entry wall of the shower. In order to keep yourself upright, you can also attach a horizontal grab bar to the shower’s back wall.

To assist you in finding one that suits your requirements, budget, and bathroom, we’ve compiled a list of the top nine shower grab bars.

Best Bathroom Grab Bars for the Elderly

Here are the top nine bathroom grab bars for the elderly:

Best Portable: AmeriLuck Suction Bath Grab Bar

For short-term assistance, while showering, use Ameriluck suction grab bars. This grab bar can be installed in your bathroom at any angle with ease. Installing a suction grab bar doesn’t require any additional tools. All you have to do is press the cups up against your walls. In addition to a safety indicator that lets you know if the cups are securely fastened, the package includes installation instructions.

AmeriLuck Suction Bath Grab Bar

Pros

  • Ideal for rental living spaces
  • Portable for traveling
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

  • You have to check its stability often

Best Heavy-duty: Moen Safety Grab Bar

The Moen shower grab bar is a strong grab bar. Up to 500 lbs. are supported by its sturdy steel frame. SecureMount anchors are offered by Moen for secure installation on tile walls. The numerous holes on the mounting ring allow you to mount this grab bar on stud walls as well.

Moen Safety Grab Bar

Pros

  • ADA compliant
  • Slip-resistant peened surface
  • The mounting hardware is concealed

Cons

  • Its mounts are sold separately

Best Sturdy: Delta Chrome Bath Bar

This grab bar in chrome has a contemporary look while still being useful. It is a reliable grab bar designed for bathroom walls with tile. All necessary installation hardware is included in the package. You can install it on your own because it only requires three screws to attach. These grab bars can support a person’s entire body weight and are usable by those with disabilities.

Delta Chrome Bath Bar

Pros

  • ADA compliant
  • Concealed mounting hardware
  • Decorative finish
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

  • It might not offer a good grip

Best Adjustable: PCP Bathtub Safety Rail

Seniors and people with limited mobility can access bathtubs with the help of a PCP bathtub safety rail. The straightforward design is rust-resistant and simple to clean. The safety bars are comfortable for users of average height. Its width can be altered to fit most tub sizes. When fixing the rail, the non-marring rubber pads prevent damage to your tub wall.

PCP Bathtub Safety Rail

Pros

  • Supports up to 300 pounds
  • Non-corrosive white finish
  • Textured rubber grip
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Not suitable for vast tubs

Best Long-Lasting: Moen Home Bathroom Grab Bar

This wall-mounted bathroom grab bar from Moen is made of stainless steel. For up to 500 lbs., it offers stability and support while being safe to use. Install the bar at whatever angle you like after locating the wall studs.

Using the Secure Mount anchors will ensure a secure and fitting installation if your wall is hollow. It looks fashionable and fits in with most bathrooms thanks to its slightly grey metallic appearance. To help you find the right size, these grab bars are offered in a variety of sizes. For a better understanding of this product, you can watch this video.

Moen Home Bathroom Grab Bar

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Long-lasting
  • Concealed screws
  • ADA-compliant
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Screws may not be durable
  • Secure Mount anchors are not included

Best Easy-To-Grip: Amazon Basics Grab Bar

The 500-pound weight capacity of the stainless steel Amazon Basics grab bar. The bar has a 1.5-inch diameter for a cozy grip. It comes with installation instructions and mounting screws. For your convenience, grab bars come in a variety of sizes. You can learn more about the product by watching this video review.

Amazon Basics Grab Bar

Pros

  • Easy-grip finish
  • Sturdy
  • ADA-compliant
  • Rust-resistant

Cons

  • Installation may be difficult in some positions

Best Space-Saving: Moen Flip-Up Screw-In Bathroom Grab Bar

When not in use, Moen flip-up grab bars can be folded up for a space-saving railing-like design. It is made of 304-grade stainless steel and measures 30 inches in length and 1.25 inches in diameter. This grab bar supports up to 300 pounds and comes in two colors to match the bathroom decor.

Moen Flip-Up Screw-In Bathroom Grab Bar

Pros

  • Durable
  • ADA-compliant
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Stylish design

Cons

  • May be difficult to install

Best Lightweight: HomeKaren Suction Grab Bars

Being powered by suction, Homkaren grab bars are simple to install. For installation, you need a surface that is level, smooth, clean, and dry. Make sure there are no grout lines where the installation will take place because they are not suitable for porous surfaces.

The suction cups on these grab bars have a four-inch diameter and measure 12 inches in length. They can support up to 250 lbs.

HomeKaren Suction Grab Bars

Pros

  • Flexible to place in different angles
  • Suitable for fiberglass
  • Latch system
  • Lightweight and travel-friendly

Cons

  • May not have suction indicators

Best Flexible: Safety + Beauty Suction Bath Grab Bar

Any flat, non-porous, smooth surface free of textures and grout lines is suitable for mounting the grab bar. To feel the negative pressure, close the latches after applying firm pressure to the surface until the indicators turn green.

When the indicators turn red, it’s time for reinstallation. They assist in monitoring the suction status. The 17-inch grab bar is available in a variety of colors to match your bathroom’s decor, but the suction bar is incompatible with tiles smaller than 4×4.

Safety + Beauty Suction Bath Grab Bar

Pros

  • Tool-free installation
  • Compact and travel-friendly
  • Comfortable and easy grip
  • Flexible to install in different angles
  • One-ye

Cons

  • Suction may not be strong

What to Consider When Purchasing a Shower Grab Bar?

When shopping for a bathroom grab bar, consider:

  1. Necessity: You might need a grab bar that is mounted on the wall if you frequently pull up and sit down while using it. Consider suction-type grab bars if you require a grab bar to stabilize and support your movement.
  2. Permanent/temporary: Select grab bars mounted on walls or in bathtubs made of stainless steel for ongoing use. Opt for the suction bars if you’re traveling.
  3. Bath or shower size: A grab bar needs to be just the right size to fit in your space while still being accessible from anywhere in your bathtub. Size and placement options vary depending on the design.
  4. Weight: Choose a grab bar that can support your weight if you need to lean on it. Suction cup grab bars can’t support as much direct weight as permanently installed grab bars, which can support hundreds of pounds.
  5. Permanence: Due to temporary needs or a desire to avoid permanently destroying their bathrooms, many people choose no-drill grab bar designs. Many grab bars are installed without leaving any traces in your bathroom because they are held in place by suction cups or tension mechanisms. However, these designs have drawbacks, such as low weight ratings and more demanding maintenance needs.
  6. Your needs: The kind of bar you require depends on how you intend to use it. Someone who wants a grab bar in the shower needs a different design than someone who wants a handle to support them while getting in and out of the tub.
  7. Style and material: While some grab bars are big and obvious, others are small and unobtrusive. The aesthetic of your bathroom and your grab bar should ideally coordinate.

Where to Place the Grab Bars?

best bathroom grab bars for elderly

The arrangement of arm handles is based on science, did you know that? That’s right, the exact same researchers conducted research on the most common bathroom grab bar arrangements.

The most popular one is placing a long, horizontal bar on the back wall of the tub that aids seniors in standing up or sitting down while installing a second, vertical bar at the wall where the faucet is helped support the elderly in getting in and out of the bath.

Although most practical, this arrangement is not the most effective. The study pointed out that setting up two horizontal grab bars below each other offers a better means for seniors to slowly raise their bodies.

Placing one big L-shaped handle on the back wall is also a nice way to save space since it has multiple uses. The last option considered was mounting a medium-sized grab bar tilted at a 45-degree angle.

To determine which configuration best suits the senior’s physical condition, we advise choosing a relocatable grab bar first. Either way, the bottom line is that having more than one grab bar is always safer.

Shower Grab Bars Style

best bathroom grab bars for elderly
  • Suction Grab Bars: The suction grab bars are secured to the wall by suction cups. They are weak, which is a problem because, after prolonged use, they lose their grip on the wall.
  • Wall-mounted bars are fixed to a wall vertically, horizontally, or at an angle. They are very solid and offer stability while taking a shower.
  • Angled Grab Bars are They are also made with a wave design and are L and U-shaped. wave designs, L shapes, and U shapes. Standing or sitting, they offer multi-level support.
  • Floor-to-Wall Grab Bars are long and vertical. The handrail has two attachment points: one on the floor and one on a nearby wall. It can be put in place next to a bathtub to help an elderly person exit.
  • The two-Wall Corner Grab Bar is continuous and mounted on two walls. wall. They work well as support. When using a bathtub or shower chair, people with limited mobility use these.
  • Free-standing: You can install a floor-to-ceiling pole if there isn’t much wall space available. It is a slim vertical pole with a non-slip grip cover. When sitting and getting up from a walker or a bathtub transfer bench, users can hold on to it.
  • Grab Bar Clamps: Grab bars for the bathtub. To provide bathers with stability, grab bar clamps are secured to the bathtub rim. You won’t damage the tub because the ideal clamp doesn’t require drilling or screws.
  • Flip Up/ Flip Down grab bars mount horizontally to a wall using a drill. They are perfect for bathrooms with limited space because, when not in use, they flip out of the way. When getting up from a walk-in shower or toilet, an older adult can hold onto Flip Up grab bars.

The Bottom Line: Install a Shower Grab Bar

Shower grab bars are crucial because 1 in 4 older people experience a fall each year, and the majority of these accidents take place in the bathroom. Despite the fact that there are hundreds of design options, we selected our top nine shower grab bars based on their low price, unique construction, and simplicity of installation.

The best shower grab bars are solid and able to support the necessary weight. You should consider the type of suction and hold, material and finish, bar length, and ease of installation when making your choice.

FAQs

What is a Shower Grab Bar?

Many people require additional assistance while taking a shower. By offering support, a shower grab bar prevents bathroom falls. Falling in a bathroom is simple and happens frequently because of the tile flooring, water, and soap. Such circumstances pose a risk to the elderly.

How Much Does a Shower Grab Bar Cost?

Grab bars typically cost between $40 and $100, though they can cost as much as $200. Grab bar installation fees may add $100 to $200 to your bill unless you decide to install the device yourself.

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