A grab bar is an essential component of any modern bathroom, especially for individuals who experience limited mobility issues. The good thing about the best grab bars for seniors is that they tend to be easy to install. Plus, they are products that are easy to set up, especially if your DIY skills are excellent.
We have reviewed some of the best brands for you to consider, and the key factors you have to consider before investing in the right one for your needs. Finding the right bar is a delicate process, and you have to consider factors such as the bathroom size and safety factors for the best results. Various recent publications and informational pieces have outlined the importance of setting up resources such as these indoors.
Below is the guide to help get you started:
Best Grab Bars for Seniors Comparison
In the table below we have a comparison of the top picks and some of their key features
Buying the Best Grab Bars for Seniors
Before buying the correct grab bars for any senior member in your family, there are various options available for you to consider:
Types of Grab Bars
Grab bars are available in various types. The common ones include the:
- Horizontal – these types are excellent for bathtubs and can provide high levels of walking support. However, you have to install them at the right height, which is their only significant downside.
- Vertical – the vertical types are also excellent and comfortable grip. These types are ideal for seniors or people that suffer from arthritis complications. Plus, they also provide high levels of support, even as you stand. The only downside is that they offer fewer coverage options, so they are not suitable for walking support.
- Diagonal – these types provide the best of functions for investing for grab bars for seniors. The diagonal bars are similar in functions to the diagonal types but are likely to slip.
NB: The direction of the bar is not the only critical factor or function you should consider. For instance, there are wavy types, which are suitable for changing positions in the bath area. Also, remember to consider secondary components such as toilets and bathtubs.
Installing Grab Bars the Right Way
There is no “perfect” size when it comes to setting up grab bars. Factors such as your bathroom space, layout, and set up are also essential aspects to consider. An excellent way to keep track of these aspects would be to look around the bathroom and take up some information. Remember to focus on the platform where you will place your hands or might require added support.
Weight Capacity
You will come across various types of grab rails that are made using different material types. These include aluminum, plastic, brass, galvanized tubing, and more. The material quality is among the key factors you should consider, and the weight the grab bar can accommodate. Generally, expect to find rails that have excellent weight capacities of as much as 250kg.
Installation Choices
There are various options when it comes to setting up grab rails. The common ones include suction cups and the screw fix types. However, suction cups are not long-term options because they cannot accommodate your full body weight and are only suitable for weight-bearing purposes.
The screw grab rails would be better for seniors with advanced mobility issues, as they are known to provide excellent weight-bearing capacities.
For these types, you have to consider the kind of wall you will install the grab rails on, and determine whether they are suitable for your needs. You may have to get a drill or some screws to help complete this process.
The Design and Finish
A vital factor to consider is whether you want to modify the bathroom to meet a disabled or senior use's needs. Why? Because it will be easier to find grills that can match the existing décor of your bathroom.
Plus, your chosen finish also determines other secondary factors, such as the type of grip that you will have on the grab bar. While a smooth finish might be appealing to look at, it might be slippery and compromise your bathroom space's functionality. On the contrary, the textured grips are smooth and perfect for installation in modern bathrooms.
The ideal way to choose the perfect finish is to experiment with the grab rail before investing. It's good if you can go for one based on information from an interior décor specialist.
Top 5 Grab Bars for Seniors To Buy In 2021
Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip 16" Bath & Shower Handle
Safety should be an essential priority when you have a senior person in the home. Make your home much safer when you have the Changing Lifestyles Safe-er Grip Bath Shower Handle. It's a convenient grip bar that you can use by pressing the tab levers for ease of attachment. Furthermore, the grip bar is also easy to use on shower walls, making it highly convenient to set up.
Ease of set up and installation are among some of the few key factors to consider when you want to get good grab bars. Why? Because the user experience is important when it comes to usability and longevity in your modern bathroom. It’s a description that embodies what you can expect with the Changing Lifestyles Safe-er grab bar.
Furthermore, this grab bar unit is easy to install, and you have to remove the flip tabs for a simple set up procedure. The 16.6" safe grip balance assist bar makes it easy to enter a wet shower, with confidence and optimal safety. It's a unique structure that makes it easy to exit a tub or shower even when exposed to your body weight.
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Carex Tri-Grip Bathtub Bar and Rail
The Carex Tri-Grip Bathtub rail is an excellent solution for making your bathroom fully functional. The rail improves your independence when you want to get in and out of the bathtub, for the best performance results. It's an excellent bathtub rail that will enhance your independence, especially if you have physical health complications.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of this grab is that it has a heavy-duty design that ensure longevity. Yes, that`s right! Longevity is a key characteristic of a good grab bar, and you want one that offers years of reliable performance. This is nothing short of what you will enjoy when you have the Carex Tri Grip Bathtub and Rail.
Thanks to its three textured gripping areas, and finish, the rail will provide safe entrance to your bath area each time. You will also be pleased with the pleasing chrome finish, which offers excellent rust-resistant benefits. It's also easy to screw to your tub's side, and it provides sturdy support for an attractive addition to your bathroom.
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Medical Adjustable Bathtub Safety Grab Bar Handle
The Medical Adjustable Bathtub Safety Rail is also an excellent addition to your bathroom safety regimen. The bathroom rail provides support for individuals getting in and out of the tub for optimal convenience. It comes with a padded rubber clamp that has a robust locking function for ease of use. The mechanism ensures the rail is easy to secure to the side section of the tub.
Thanks to the adjustable clamp design, you will find it easy to install the tub rail on almost any tub wall structure. The best part about it is that its easy to install, and without any tools required for the process.
Constructed using a heavy-duty and one-piece frame, this durable frame sits stable and easy to grip. You will be pleased to know that it can provide an exceptional weight capacity of over 300lbs. The width-adjustable clamp even features a locking mechanism to make it easy to set up on any tub wall (3"-7" thick).
You will also be pleased to know that the tub rail won't leave any unsightly marks or dents in your room. Weighing in at less than 6lbs, moving these rails is a simple process. The ambidextrous design means that the grab bars are suitable for both left and right-handed users.
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Moen 8724 Home 24-Inch Bathroom Grab Bar, Stainless
Supportive, safe, and secure! These are just some of the few privileges you will get when you have the Moen 8724 Home Grab Bar. The grab bar has a stainless finish that blends well with most interior décor designs on the market.
The performance of this grab is exceptional and unique in many ways. For instance, it feels secure and can provide support for weights of as much as 500pounds. The bathroom grab has a secure design that makes it simple to install for any angle.
It has a durable stainless-steel material that ensures durability – perfect for a bathroom you use regularly. This grab bar's dimensions are "24 by 36 and 1.5-inch" to make it ideal for accommodating different hand sizes. The Moen brand has also done well to add three stylish end covers that you can use to hide the mounting hardware. Such a unique design offers a clean and appealing finish.
For ease of installation, this unit comes with excellent secure mount anchors. These make it easy to grab and set up where the stud mounting is not easy to set up. The anchors are available separately, and you can place them at a secure angle.
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Medline Bathtub Safety Grab Bar
Make your home bathroom fully functional when you have the Medline Bathtub Safety Grab Bar. It comes with a unique step-through clamp-on design that offers easy entry and exit to the bathroom for the ideal positioning. More so, the bath rail also provides optimal stability when you want to get in and out of the tub – perfect for elderly individuals.
Thanks to the multilevel and non-slip hand grip, you will find it easy and safe to bath safely and with comfort. The multiple level handle also ensures optimal stability for situations when you have to use the bathtub. You will also be pleased with the crank style and locking design, which is easy to attach to your bathroom's tub walls.
The bar has stainless steel components that also feature rubber-lined pads. The good thing about this is that it won't have any adverse effects on your tub's surface. It's a bathtub bar that is easy to install on your tub's side, even if you don't have excellent DIY skills.
With an exceptional 250-pound weight capacity, this unit makes it easy to get in and out of your bathroom.
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Best Grab Bars for Seniors: Conclusion
Making the home comfortable for everyone can be a great thing to do, especially if you have seniors with you. However, finding the right solutions is not always easy, and this is why we have the best grab bars for seniors review for you to get started. Before buying a grab bar for your modern bathroom, consider top picks such as the Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip 16" Bath & Shower Handle " and other useful information. Why? Because a right grab bar will improve the functionality and style of your bathroom in many ways.