Aging in Place Bathroom Checklist

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The bathroom is where many home falls happen. Hard, wet surfaces, tight spaces and movements like sitting, standing and stepping over a tub wall all add up. The good news is that most of the risk can be reduced with a handful of changes, many of which need no remodel. Use this checklist to walk through the bathroom one area at a time. Tick off what is already fine, note what needs work, and tackle the highest-risk items first.

How to use this checklist

1. Walk through the bathroom with the person who uses it, at the times they use it, including at night.
2. Watch them use the toilet, shower or tub and sink, if they are comfortable with that, or ask what feels hard.
3. Mark each item as fine, needs work, or not relevant.
4. Fix the high-priority items first. They are marked below.
5. Recheck every six months.

1. Getting in the door

• ☐ Doorway is wide enough for any walker or wheelchair used now or likely soon.
• ☐ Door handle is a lever, not a round knob.
• ☐ Door can be unlocked from the outside in an emergency.
• ☐ Threshold is flat or has a small ramp, with no lip to catch toes.
• ☐ Light switch is reachable at the door, or a motion light comes on automatically. High priority.

2. Floors

• ☐ No loose rugs. Any bath mat has a non-slip back and low edges. High priority.
• ☐ Floor is dry and wiped after showers.
• ☐ Clear path from door to toilet and shower, with no laundry baskets or bins in the way.
• ☐ Cords from hair dryers and other devices are stored, not on the floor.

3. Toilet

• ☐ Grab bar or toilet safety frame beside the toilet. High priority.
• ☐ Toilet seat height lets the user sit and stand without strain. If not, consider a raised seat. See our guide to a raised toilet seat with arms.
• ☐ Toilet paper is within reach without twisting.
• ☐ Space to turn and sit, including with a walker.

4. Shower or tub

• ☐ Non-slip mat or treatment on the tub or shower floor. High priority.
• ☐ Grab bar at the entry and on the back wall, fixed into studs or rated anchors. High priority. See our guide to shower grab bar height.
• ☐ No towel bars, soap dishes or shower doors used for support.
• ☐ Shower chair or transfer bench if standing is tiring or stepping over the tub wall is hard.
• ☐ Handheld shower head on a slide bar.
• ☐ Shampoo and soap at waist height or seated shoulder height.
• ☐ Water heater set to a safe temperature, often 120 °F or lower, to reduce scald risk.
• ☐ Faucet controls are easy to reach and turn, ideally levers.

Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.

5. Sink and vanity

• ☐ Lever faucet, not twist knobs.
• ☐ Daily items on the counter or in a drawer at waist height.
• ☐ Medicines stored safely and clearly labeled.
• ☐ A seat is available if standing at the sink is tiring.
• ☐ Mirror is at a height the user can see into, seated if needed.

6. Lighting

• ☐ Bright, even overhead light with no dark corners.
• ☐ Night light or motion light in the bathroom and on the path from the bedroom. High priority.
• ☐ Light in the shower if it is dark behind the curtain.

7. Storage

• ☐ Towels within reach of the shower or tub, so the user does not step out wet to get one.
• ☐ Nothing used daily is stored high or low.
• ☐ Cleaning products stored safely.

8. Emergencies

• ☐ A way to call for help from the bathroom, such as a wearable fall alert or a voice assistant in range.
• ☐ Door can be opened from outside.
• ☐ Family knows the plan if the user does not answer.

Order of priority

If budget or time is limited, start here:

1. Non-slip surface in the tub or shower.
2. Grab bars at the shower or tub and by the toilet.
3. Night lighting on the path to the bathroom.
4. Removing loose rugs.
5. A shower chair or transfer bench and handheld shower head, if needed.
6. A raised toilet seat, if sitting and standing is hard.

Later upgrades might include a walk-in shower, a wider door or a comfort-height toilet.

Get a professional view

An occupational therapist can assess the bathroom and the user's needs and recommend specific equipment and positions. Many health systems, insurers and local agencies offer home safety assessments. A contractor can handle larger changes like doorway widening or shower conversions.

Common mistakes

• Buying a shower chair before checking the shower is big enough for it and for the user to sit and turn.
• Putting grab bars where they look tidy instead of where the user actually reaches.
• Adding a bath mat with no rubber back, which slides on tile.
• Forgetting the night-time trip, when the user is sleepy and the light is off.

Involve the user in every choice. Equipment they find comfortable and easy is equipment they will use.

FAQ

What is the first thing to change in a bathroom for aging in place?

For many homes, a non-slip surface in the tub and a grab bar at the shower and toilet.

Do I need to remodel the bathroom?

Not usually at first. Most high-priority changes need no remodel.

How often should I recheck the bathroom?

Every six months, and after any change in health, mobility or vision.

Where should grab bars go in the bathroom?

Beside the toilet, at the tub or shower entry and on the back wall of the shower or tub.

Is a raised toilet seat necessary?

Only if sitting down and standing up from the toilet is difficult. A grab bar may be enough for some people.