AARP HomeFit Video: The Bathroom
Take a 'Room-by-Room Tour' of the AARP HomeFit Guide
Sometimes, more attention is paid to how a bathroom is decorated than to the safety of the space. Water on a bathroom floor is a slipping hazard, and often an invisible one. Falling in a bathroom is painful and potentially life-threatening because of the many hard surfaces — the floor, toilet, countertop, tub.
VIDEO 9
Click here to share this video.
Take This Bar Exam
Question: Is a towel bar the same as a grab bar?
Answer: Usually no.
A grab bar, sometimes called an assist bar, is secured to a surface that’s backed by a wooden stud. That way, the bar won’t detach when gripped, such as to prevent a fall. (Suction-cup handles are not suitable substitutes.)
A grab bar’s placement will vary based on the space or a resident’s needs. In general, a horizontal bar near the toilet and in the shower and tub should be 33 to 36 inches from the floor. Bathtubs are safest with two bars, the second on the long wall, 9 inches from the tub rim. Grab bars with a textured, nonslip surface are best.
A vertical grab bar helps with balance and is easiest to grip. A horizontal placement helps with forward and backward movements. A diagonal installation is useful for getting into a seated or standing position. Grab bars are increasingly available in decorative, dual-purpose styles — and some do include a towel bar.
The AARP HomeFit Guide is Award-Winning
- 2021 EXCEL Awards, Gold Winner, Special Report
- 2021 Hermes Creative Awards, Gold Winner, Special Issue
- 2021 ClearMark Awards, Center for Plain Language, Winner, Spanish Language
- 2020 MarCom Awards, Platinum Award, Publications/Special Edition
Learn about the awards we've won and the organizations behind them.
Stay Informed — For Free! See Past Issues
The weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter provides local leaders with information and inspiration for making their town, city or neighborhood more livable for older adults and people of all ages. Subscribe today!
GET THE GUIDE!
Place an Order
Use the order form link to request a free printed edition of the AARP HomeFit Guide in the language(s) of your choice — or follow the language-specific links below.
AARP HomeFit Guide
- Get the guide in English »
AARP Guia HomeFit
AARP 宜居指南
AARP 홈핏 가이드
Hướng dẫn HomeFit của AARP
AARP.org/Livable
Enter a topic, name, place, etc.