Bathroom accidents are a serious concern for seniors. This is not the age when you would wish to have a dislocated joint as a result of a slip or a fall in the bathroom.
The bathroom is one of the places where seniors usually experience one of the riskiest movements – stepping in and out of the bathtub.
By installing a shower grab for the elderly, you greatly reduce the potential for injuries and also give the seniors peace of mind in the knowledge that they will have adequate support to reduce their chances of accidents in the bathroom.
But with so many brands and models of bathroom grabs, how do you know just which one to go for? That’s the crux of this piece, so keep reading to find out more.
How was This List Made?
We spent hundreds of hours going through blogs and forums on the safety of seniors at home. We also listed and went through a couple of manufacturers’ websites to determine some of the leading brands and models.
Our research also involved going through reviews by past buyers on some of the online marketplaces to have a good idea of the products people were buying the most and the kind of experiences they were getting from the purchases.
Our final list, therefore, is thoroughly researched and a good representation of some of the best bathroom grabs for seniors you will find in the market today.
5 Best Bathroom Grabs for Seniors
We have done the tough work for you by locating and reviewing some of the best bathrooms grabs ideal for installing in senior homes. Below is an in-depth look at each of them-:
#1. Moen 24-inch Home Care Senior Grab Bar
The Moen 24-inch home care grab bar comes with a slick design and will be a great match to any type of senior’s bathroom.
It features a brushed nickel finishing that blends nicely with the decors of most bathrooms. With it comes a posh look that will make any ordinary bathroom look super cool.
It comes with a concealed screw mounting as well as a patented installation design, to ensure safe and maximum grabs on the bathroom walls.
Experience
The majority of users who purchased this grab bar have nothing but good words to say about it. They hailed it for its great aesthetics, comfortable feel, and the fact that it is sturdy, hence, provides a very firm grip for the seniors when using the bathrooms.
To the majority, it was the perfect blend of safety and decoration.
Pros
- Aesthetically appealing and functionally sound
- Can support a weight capacity of up to 500 lbs
- Has a lifetime warranty on manufacturing faults
Cons
- Doesn’t come with SecureMount anchors
- Some customers complained of rusting after just a few months of use
Verdict
The Moen 24-inch Home Care Senior Grab Bar is not only appealing to the eyes but also has the versatility to support seniors’ safety in the bathroom.
If you are particularly keen on the looks, and you want a properly functioning grab bar for the seniors, then this is one of the best you will find in the market today. We highly recommend it.
#2. Moen 8732 Home 32-Inch Bathroom Grab Bar
Here is another product by the same manufacturer that makes it to our list of the top shower grabs for the elderly.
The Moen 8732 home care shower grab is made of stainless steel and with the capacity to support up to 500 lbs of weight.
With a SecureMount design, attaching it to the walls is easy, and you can install it at any angle that you think will bring you the greatest convenience when using it.
Additionally, it features a grey stainless steel body that enhances its aesthetic appeal. This will make it blend easily with most of the bathroom décor in most senior homes.
Experience
The high ratings of this bathroom grab is a subtle indication of just how most users are pleased with it.
Most buyers on the forums and the review sections hailed it for its quality, ease of installation, and durability. Others also loved it for being sturdy and aesthetically appealing.
Pros
- It is one of the largest bathroom grabs in the market – at 32-inches
- Made of heavy-duty material that can support up to 500lbs of weight
- The stainless steel frame makes it very sturdy
- Comes with SecureMount for easy installation
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- May split or break if screwed too tightly during mounting
- You need to order the SecureMount hardware separately
Verdict
This is another solid bathroom grab bar you can trust to give the seniors peace of mind while in the bathroom.
The fact that it is the most popular grab bar in the market should inspire confidence in you for getting your actual money’s worth with this purchase.
#3. Franklin Brass 5612 Shower Grab Bar
The Franklin Brass 5612 Shower Grab Bar is designed to provide support and stability for weights of up to 500 pounds.
It is made of stainless steel and it comes with enviable quality and durability. It also features a smooth and shiny finish that not only makes it appealing to the eyes but also will blend with most bathroom designs.
Experience
The majority of the users expressed their delight in using this grab, hailing it for the support and the great finishes it comes with.
It comes in multiple sizes and finishes that provide the buyers with various options that match their tastes and preferences.
They also loved the fact that it was easy to install and was ADA compliant.
Pros
- It is made of stainless steel
- Available in a variety of finishes and sizes
- Comes with a concealed mount
- Can support up to 500lbs of weight
- It is ADA-compliant
Cons
- Installation requires a drill
Verdict
The Franklin Brass 5612 Shower Grab Bar boasts of safety and sophistication. It is a heavy-duty grab guaranteed to provide the extra security needed by seniors in the bathroom.
It is a great choice if you are after lasting strength and quality and improved aesthetics in your bathroom.
#4. Moen R8924 – Shower Grab Bars for Elderly
This shower grab by Moen is one of their 24-inches models featuring stainless steel construction for superior durability.
It features the SecureMount technology, which makes it easy to mount on the wall, with no need for external tools.
It can support weights of up to 500lbs, implying that it can be used by all seniors. Also, it is super clean and easy to maintain, requiring just simple wipes with disinfectant to keep in top-notch condition.
Experience
Most of the seniors who used this bathroom grab bar have expressed nothing but total satisfaction with its use.
They like its quality, ease of installation, and its beautiful finishes that blended well with most bathroom decors.
Pros
- With a length of 24-inches, the bar allows for a lot of gripping space
- It has SecureMount feature for easy installation
- Made of stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance
- Can support up to 500lbs of weight
- It is ADA-compliant
Cons
- Has a limited range of design and colors that you can choose from
- You have to order the SecureMount anchor separately
Verdict
The Moen R8924 Shower Grab Bar is a guarantee of safety and stability for seniors in the bathroom.
It is not only durable and ADA-compliant, but also it is available within a manageable price range, making it easily accessible to most seniors interested in more security in the bathroom.
You won’t be disappointed with the purchase.
#5. Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip Shower Grab Bar
The Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip is a 16-inch bathroom grab bar that features a cup device. This means it is ideal for application only on smooth, flat, and non-porous surfaces only.
It is a great option if all you need is a temporary solution for balancing when getting into and out of the bathtub.
It is easy to install and uninstall. Also, it features a sleek design that will add great aesthetics to your bathrooms.
Experience
Though this bathroom grab comes with limited options for installation surfaces, most of the past buyers are very pleased with its performance.
They hail it for its ease of installation, the safety, and the aesthetics it brings to the bathroom.
Pros
- Comes with suction cup attachment for easy installation
- Ideal for use on both shower and bathtub walls
- Beautiful aesthetics that blends well with most bedroom décor
Cons
- It is not a weight-bearing bathroom grab bar
- You have to constantly test it each time to ensure it is securely attached
Verdict
This grab bar is a decent and affordable solution for seniors who require balance assistance when entering or exiting the bathtub.
However, it is limiting in terms of surfaces for application. This is because you can use it only on smooth, flat, and non-porous surfaces.
Also, you will have to test if it is well secured onto the surface before you use it. These may sound too much for a senior who simply needs reliable support when in the bathroom.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in the Best Bathroom Grabs for Seniors
Here is a brief look at some of the factors you should be looking for in the ideal bathroom grabs-:
Permanent or Temporary Grabs:
Whether or not you go for a permanent or a temporary bathroom grab will depend on your bathroom style, and most importantly, your agreement with the landlord. If you live in your home, then you have the freedom to install any of your choices. If you don’t own the home, however, and the owner doesn’t want you drilling his walls, then you may opt for temporary shower grabs. Such you can easily mount by suction cups.
Ease of Installation and the Installation Location:
Some shower grabs will require flat dry surfaces for proper attachment, while others will require hollow walls. Check on the surface where you will be installing the grab and ensure that the grab is rightly suited for such a surface. Also, check how easy it is to install the grab. Some will not require any tools at all for installation, while others may require you to have certain minimum drilling tools. Ensure that you have all you will need to properly install the shower grab that you purchase.
The Weight Capacity:
Most of the best bathroom grabs for seniors will be designed with just the right weight capacity to support all seniors. The capacity for most of them is usually set at 500lbs of weight. But that notwithstanding, it is vital that you check that the grab bar you are purchasing will be able to support the weight of the intended user. Misjudging the weight capacity can lead to serious slips and falls in the bathroom.
The Finish:
In as much as you may be most interested in the security of the grab bar, you also don’t want something that will make your bathroom look ugly.
This is why you may want to consider the finish of the grab bar you are interested in.
While considering the finish, check on how the grab bar will blend with your current bathroom décor, and if it will be possible to hide it behind the shower curtains.
Don’t lose the aesthetics of your bathroom by installing just any bathroom grab you come about.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have a solid guide for choosing the best shower grab for the elderly. From the reviews above, we highly recommend the Moen 24-inch Home Care Senior Grab Bar. Though the price is slightly on the higher side, it is a solid bar that will give you an incredible experience in the bathroom.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, however, then our best bet would be the Franklin Brass 5612 Shower Grab Bar. It is the most affordable on the list, and it also enjoys excellent reviews from past buyers.
Finally, if you need a temporary solution that you can easily install without having to drill the bathroom walls, the Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip Shower Grab Bar is going to serve you just right.
