Why grab bars do not prevent falls & what every senior should do instead

[@USCG.Brennan]

Sorry, I'm a Senior at almost 73 and I use my "grab" bar everytime I get in the shower. I use it to balance myself, not to grab and yank on it. It works GREAT for us in that capacity! My shower is fiberglass and the suction cups work great as long as I've wet them properly first. ;-)

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Thanks for sharing. be safe!

[@nanniecath528]

Great, except the suction cups aren't safe .

[@USCG.Brennan]

@@nanniecath528 They've worked just fine for us over the past 4 or 5 years and we cannot just pull the handle off the wall after applying it properly. It's tried and true, Nannie.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@nanniecath528 definitely not about the benefits of suction cup grab bars.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@USCG.Brennan be safe

[@elizabethhamilton1166]

Wow. A $55 shower transfer chair sure beats over $5000 for a walk-in shower! That's going to be my solution! Thank you!

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Happy to help!

[@nuthinbutlove]

Same here. I wasn't even aware that transfer chairs existed.

[@psdaengr911]

I'm a 6'-1" and an engineer in my late 70s. I designed and rebuilt my tiny bathroom for senior use. I determined the placement of support bars before the walls were framed. Installation took me 20 minutes per bar using 3" stainless screws through the ceramic tile and cement backer board into purposefully placed pressure treated 2x4s. My 5'-4" wife and I now use a support stool in the tub and have no difficulty with the bars I installed in the tub 15 years ago. Each has a different purpose - one is vertical and the hand held adjustable shower moves on it. One is inclined and used to assist getting up and down from the tub. One bar is flange mounted to half of the tub lip next to the toilet. Finally all the towel bars are grab bars. Every bar is the same diameter and capable of supporting a horizontal or vertical +500# load. The only thing that we changed was lengthening the shower hose. When used to stand up and sit down or to move between positions with an obstacle between then grab bars make sense. The different height issue is resolved by inclining a longer bar between the heights needed, Few architects know where to place bath support bars or how to orient them so they are functional, but treat them as if they were railings in a closed horizontal staircase. Most falls are the result of carelessness and can be avoided by planned movements. Falls caused by TIA or heart attacks can only be minimized.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

good stuff. be safe

[@Silverhaired59]

Agreed! I use a wide stool and my grab bars in My roll-in shower. I am holding onto my grab bars so that I DON’T get disoriented. My shower has 2x6 boards behind the walls to hold my grab bars. I wash my hair sitting. My vertical grab bar also holds my shower spray head in two different positions, one of which slides. I have vertical bars on the back wall and at the shower entry. I have horizontal bars on the back wall and side wall. I stand to rinse, holding onto the bar. I exit holding onto the bar. I have two more at the toilet. Grab bars are great, but you have to do it right.

[@lavernec7812]

It was my understanding that suction grab bars are just to keep your balance, not to pull on.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@lavernec7812 suction cup grab bars shouldn’t be used at all. I use them when I am measuring a patient for the correct height of their bars.

[@heatherhoward2513]

I use a suction cup bar. I know it is not fixed, so don't depend on it. I used a transfer bench while I was waiting for a hip operation. Don't like it as it takes up too much room I the narrow bath. No way would I depend on the grab bar , it's to steady myself only.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@heatherhoward2513 transfer benches can stick out quite a bit. There are other swiveling benches that can prevent having to rely on balance in order to take a shower in the tub while seated. Ty for the comment and be safe!

[@rmmccarthy1240]

I moved nto a bouncy-house and saved a fortune on grab-bars.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

The flooring is a little uneven and the walker might poke a hole in it but..🤣

[@elizabethhamilton1166]

I love that..."Use a transfer bench, and you don't have to worry about falling and having a fireman see you naked..." 😂 Etc, etc...

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

some people don't care until embarrassment is mentioned.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Everybody’s motivated by something.

[@tlee4218]

😂😂😂 true

[@albanic-21]

The support bars are very useful if they are placed correctly, but not the ones with the suction cup.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Thank you for your response. I can agree that they can be useful when used correctly. Most cases I see however, they are used by unstable people who have far more to lose from a fall than they gain by challenging gravity, especially in a slippery environment like a shower.

[@muse-n-mystic1754]

Still recovering from an ankle fracture and using walk in shower was really scary. The shower shoes made all the difference! Great video… thank you!🙏

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@muse-n-mystic1754 be safe! Thank you

[@seahorse251]

Non-slip shower shoes, non-skid bath mats, non-skid tubs, shower chairs are great ideas for safe showering!!

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@seahorse251 exactly! Strengthen your connection with the ground not your hands connection with the wall

[@USCG.Brennan]

@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275 As you get older.....the ability to balance gets less and less. Thus the shower seat or chair eventually.

[@JohnandNancyTselepis]

Great,sensible video. Many thks. And folks,might I also recommend NO hair conditioner while in the shower, but instead apply a sm.amt.of a leave-in one when out of the shower to avoid making the tub/shower floor slippery ! From a retired geriatric nurse. 🌞

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@JohnandNancyTselepis great idea

[@CassieDavis613]

Thank God, the rant finally ended.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@CassieDavis613 thank you for watching the whole video

[@jamesstewart2543]

I am soon to be 80, walk the dog 5 mi every morning, but I like grab bars in the shower. I have a history of tripping. I use an enameled metal tub/shower with a 14 inch step-over height that would be very slippery except I use a long rubber mat in it. To take a shower I first lay the mat in the tub, then with my right hand I grip a shoulder height vertical 18 inch grab bar at the edge of the tub at the control wall. I step into the tub left leg first and with my left hand grip the horizontal 36 inch bar on the long wall, then bring my right leg in, all the while holding on with both hands. With both feet inside and on the nonslip mat, I let go of the bars to operate the water valves and diverter.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

sounds like you are managing things well. i'd probably change out the rubber mat for epoxy coating to increase the coefficient of friction in the tub and eliminate the need for bending over in the tub to pick it up.

[@nuthinbutlove]

​@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275I have changed to epoxy. It's great, and saves me from having to bend over after my shower and I don't have to be in fear of tripping on it while taking a shower.

[@jamesstewart2543]

@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275 I don't have any problem bending over. I use a specific kind of mat designed for "refinished tubs" that does not have the strongly adhering suction cups that make a ripping sound when pulled up, but has a high coefficient of friction with the bottom of the tub following just being laid down. (My tub is NOT refinished.) Stamping on it is not required to get it to adhere yet it pulls up easily without much resistance or noise. I hang it on the 36 inch horizontal grab bar after showering.

[@msocr3215]

Our Hospice company sent one of these grab bars along with a shower bench. I was shocked they endorse these suction cup bars. I have never trusted them and am hesitant to use for my very frail husband.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@msocr3215 use the bench. Don’t allow him to stand up in the shower then you don’t have to worry about a grab bar. I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. Be well.

[@dell177]

I'm 77 and use a cane when I walk mostly for balance issues. I've been in this house for 43 years. In my tub I have a grab bar that is screwed into the studs and very strong, I would not use anything witth suction cups on it. . I use that vertical bar when trying to clean my feet by picking up one foot and then the other. I'm using that bar more to stabilize myself than to put significant weight 0n it The time might come when I have to do things differently but for now I'm fine with that grab bar where it is.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@dell177 thank you. Be safe!

[@cathywestholt5324]

My apartment has a narrow tub. There are no grab bars on the wall. I have one that I I put on the side of the tub and tighten on. I have only found one shower chair that will even fit in the tub. I found a small round one with a top that swivels. I have to back up to the tub, hold onto raised rounded top bar on the side of the tub, and use my quad cane on the right to balance and sit back on the little chair. Or I will hold onto my rollator walker and sit back on the shower chair. Since that device is attached to the side of the tub, I don't have the full length of the tub to pull my legs in. I have to pull them up one at a time and into the tub. I tried getting one of those slide in benches, but it wouldn't fit in the stupid tub. Because the legs angled out a little, where I wound up sitting was right over the edge of the tub. No way to keep the water in the tub. Also my bathroom is so small it was still hard to manipulate because I only had a couple of inches at the most between it and the toilet. I had to sit on it, scoot backwards, and then turn around only to find out the chair didn't fit this narrow tub enough to make it work. I had to get rid of it. I hope one day I can afford to move to a place with a walk in shower. You mentioned taking your walker into the shower. I would think water would get inside it. Then you would have to take the legs off and dump the water that accumulated beneath the last adjustment hole. I might use a walker to walk into the shower stall, but put it just outside the curtain after I'm seated. I wish more apartments came with walk in showers. I can't afford thousands and thousands of dollars every month for some senior independent living apartment. If I had that kind of money, I would have a house.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@cathywestholt5324 I’d be interested to see you tub bench setup. If you have a 3 panel tub bench you just have to tuck the shower curtain into the crack between the 2nd and 3rd panel. If it’s that difficult to get your legs over the edge of the tub I’d say remove the bar and just don’t stand up in the tub. You could also consider getting a therapist (like me) to come to your home and brainstorm some ideas with you. That’s the goal of these videos. You don’t have to do this on your own.

[@donnaallgaier-lamberti3933]

I only use a suction grab bars in our pre-formed shower unit where we cannot drill holes into it. It is not doe use to get in and out of the shower but rather there to grab in case of slipping on the non-slip matt. What about a metal grab bar installed into the studs next to a toilet to help someone get off the toilet seat? I have a grab bar in my tile walk in shower. I use it when I sit on the shower floor to shave my legs. I lift myself up to standing using the metal grab bar in my walk in shower.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

These comments highlight exactly what I was saying. My clients who are a falls risk shouldn’t be hoping the can grab a bar as they are falling. The mat is obviously an issue. Sounds like a bad idea sitting on the shower floor. Grab bars next to the toilet are typically not at the correct height or too far away from the toilet.

[@jamesstewart2543]

I have a single horizontal 24 inch grab bar on the wall next to the toilet and I use this to get off the toilet. It is screwed into the studs (tract house with 24 inch stud spacing).

[@jamesstewart2543]

There is a shim system for plastic tub/shower enclosures where there is a gap between the plastic and the stud wall.

[@jamesstewart2543]

I would not trust those suction cup grap bars. Maybe they would hold on glass but I would not trust them even there. There is a German system for installing bars to a non-porous strong surface which I think works well but not on thin plastic. It's use would be to avoid drilling, e.g., marble, granite, ceramic tile. I have installed grab bars in our two bathrooms and in the bathrooms of a relative's house. Where I can I drill through the tile into a stud or into 2x6 blocking and use the screws that come with the bars. If there is no stud or blocking where I want the end of a bar I use the appropriate anchors, e.g., Moen or Wingits or even plastic anchors into tile on concrete backer board. I am not bonded n😊or certified and do not do this professionally for a fee. The poster here has a point about the strength limitations of infirm users. However, I find the long horizontal bar to he useful for maintianing balance. The shower he is demonstrating in should not be used even by an able bodied person without a rubber grip mat. Soapy water makes these tubs entirely too slippery for an ordinary person in middle age or older. But they are secure with a mat.

[@nuthinbutlove]

​@@jamesstewart2543I don't trust non-slip mats anymore. I've tried quite a few and none of them worked 100% of the time. I now have a bonded finish that uses sand in the bottom of my tub and couldn't be happier or feel more secure.

[@solutions4tenants141]

This was such an eye opening education. I am a 62 yo retired contractor and my body is beat up. We used to install these all of the time in our apartments. I agree that it was a waste of time and money bcuz so many tenants are different sizes. It’s not a one size fits all type of thing.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

thank you! be safe

[@donannsmith5574]

We also have a shower mat for traveling that helps in slippery tubs and it can be the tub is naturally slippery or a product used in showering that makes it slippery.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@donannsmith5574 good idea. Ty and be safe.

[@auntiemsplace]

Thank you for the video. Gave me something to think about for sure!

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@auntiemsplace glad to be of service. Ty!

[@annieknight71]

Same reason as USCG Brennan said. My balance is horrible and the bars kept standing safely.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@annieknight71 be safe!

[@elainegoad9777]

You have to wet the back of shower grab bar and the wall to make it stick properly. You should also chek the grab bar before using every time before your shower.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

thank you for the tip. be safe

[@maryannpiccirilli454]

We have a shower enclosure (fiberglass) and the suction grab bars I purchased work great. You have to keep the walls and suction pads clean of soap scum. I mix Dawn warmed with vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray and let sit for a while then scrub with Scrub Daddy type sponge. Dry then put bar where you need it. I make sure they are not on “grout” lines but in center of “tile” then secure . We actually have 4 inside and a 2’ metal grab bar outside the shower. Hubby feels secure. Oh I also use a suction shower mat in floor for him.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Sounds treacherous. Please be safe.

[@catherineclarke7307]

The only thing I use the suction style grab bars for is attaching them to my acrylic rulers and pattern grids that I use for sewing. It makes it easier to maneuver them than lifting from the edge and there's no danger if the suction fails. So that is the only safe use I can recommend.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@catherineclarke7307 love it!

[@williamhansen780]

These help me keep stable in the shower. Moving around and such, so they still are very useful and should be part of a plan

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

they can be part of the plan depending on the other falls risk factors a person has. once the risk of a life changing fall becomes real, i would not trust my hands and reflexes. be safe!

[@ahc1957]

I live in a rental. I have 2 built in grab bars placed vertically and diagonally and they are of no use to me. I broke my wrist so I no longer have the strength to hold on or especially pull myself up. I am only 67 and it does not help. I do think it would have been better if at least one of them was placed horizontally. I agree with you 100%, especially when you’re in the shower with wet and/or soapy hands.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@ahc1957 be safe!

[@lucystrider728]

I got suction cup towel holders and they occasuonally let go, I would never trust them to hold onto. I got screw in grab bars by my toilet and shower and use one to help get up and the shower ones to balance and not slip, while getting in and out or changing position. They work very well. Maybe not for everybody, but for me yes.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@lucystrider728 Ty. Be safe!

[@brookhousehnb]

British here🇬🇧. Thank you for this video. About to have new bathrooms at last. Present bath has non slip base, excellent until you have to turn over onto your knees at 87 after an hour’s blissful soak. Still have strong arms so can, then, just about manage to stand up, grab tall stool, like a static wheely (walker), placed strategically on the floor, and climb out of bath. Need to make full use of this opportunity to further age proof the bathroom. Also do not trust grab bars. Always imagine them coming off the wall complete with two tiles ! We have your sort of service FREE, already paid for with our taxes😂❤. So, I will make inquiries to see if I fall within whatever parameters have been set up to be able to use it. However, there’s always KZbin and you good self😊❤🇬🇧💕

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@brookhousehnb it sounds like you are talking about soaking in the bathtub. Check out the BellaVita bath chair on Amazon. It lowers you down and raises you back up out of the tub.

[@Catherine-bd7xh]

You’re absolutely right

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@Catherine-bd7xh Ty. Be safe!

[@helengarrett6378]

I'm 83 years old with spinal, knee and hand arthritis. I have two grab bars but they are screwed into the studs in my bathtub. I shower using a shower chair. A couple of months ago I did slip in the tub. But because I have grab bars on the long and short walls, and I always use the bars to help me get in, get out, stand and balance in the tub I did not fall when my feet slipped out from under me. I let go with one hand, threw a towel I keep on a hook onto the tub floor, gained purchase with my feet and got out of the tub. I live in an apartment and I don't have have a walk in shower or a roll in shower. If I did not see to it that my landlord put in a diagonal and a vertical grab bar on two walls so I had my hands on two bars. I would have hurt myself much worse than the bruise I got on my leg flailing against my shower chair. I now have a rubber mat, a shower chair, two permanently installed bars in my shower and I am glad that my tub shower is as safe as I can make it. I had a long fight with my landlord about installing those grab bars. I told him that it was a necessary accommodation and I got a lawyer to quote state and federal law to him to get him to put the bars in. I think every state should have safety laws in building codes that require new construction to have one roll in or at least walk in shower installed in every rented apartment as a standard feature for safety, with tubs being separate from them. The safety code requires a window in every bedroom. That's a fire safety rule. Easy entry showers are not a convenience. Anyone can slip getting into a tub/shower combination and I know plenty of twenty and thirty year olds who have slipped doing just that in my complex over the 18 years I have lived here.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@helengarrett6378 thank you for your comment and be safe!

[@Maddie9185]

He makes a lot of sense.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

It is my intention to simplify these matters to help people make educated decisions. My thoughts are not for everybody, until which time they are. I appreciate your response and hope I can continue to answer questions for you and people like you. Be Safe!

[@michelelindseth8250]

I am 76 and my apartment came with metal bars at the toilet (2) and at the shower. (2). They have kept me from falling. They do not use suction I also have a fold down bench in the shower..

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@michelelindseth8250 glad they have kept you safe. This video was definitely not about the benefits of suction cup grab bars

[@ClutterFreeWannaBe]

I have balance issues. I also a senior. I have two permanent grab bars in my tub/shower. It helps me to stabilize myself, especially when getting in and out of the shower. I don’t know how many times I’ve been saved from slipping.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

I can appreciate that. Be safe!

[@novampires223]

My refusal to have grab bars installed is the fact that they are too large of a diameter. Plus round bars are difficult to hang onto. Maybe smaller stock and square tubing instead of round might work.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@novampires223 I’ve often thought the same thing considering the human hand folds at sharp angles and would likely increase surface area

[@littlebrookreader949]

Thank you so much! 👍👍

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

You are welcome!

[@tm502010]

I could really use someone like this in the *Tampa, FL* area. So hard to find someone who does this kind of consulting, and home modifications!

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@tm502010 let’s talk. I cover the whole state for a few programs. My # is on my website www.MIE.house

[@MsKleinlaut]

Thanks for your helpful ideas. Been told the same here in Canada. You guys go to the same school? I am 80 with arthritis in the knees, back and hips. I hang on to the shower curtain rod to climb in and out of the tub.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@MsKleinlaut definitely don’t want you doing that either. Get a transfer bench. Cheap and safe

[@sunsuni6094]

Make sure your wall meeting the following conditions before you make a purchase: Non-porous, smooth like a computer screen, without bumping textures Here are some steps on how to use suction shower grab bars: Choose the location: Select the location where you want to place the suction grab bars for added stability in the shower. Avoid placing the grab bars on tiles with grout lines, as these may not provide a secure suction. Clean the surface: Clean the surface where you will place the suction grab bars with soap and water, removing any dirt, debris, or soap scum. Dry the area thoroughly. Press suction cups: Press the suction cups of the grab bars onto the surface, making sure that the entire face of the suction cup is in contact with the wall. Lock the grab bars: Once the suction cups are in place, lock the grab bars in place by flipping the locking tabs or levers, which will create suction and create a tight seal between the grab bars and the shower wall. Check that the grab bars are securely attached before using them. Test the suction: Before use, test the suction strength by applying pressure to the grab bars. Pull on the bars with gentle force to ensure that they are secure. Note: Suction shower grab bars are not permanent fixtures and may require repositioning and re-locking over time. It is important to avoid using them as the sole support when getting up and sit down in delicate conditions. A permanent installation of grab bars with proper screws and mounting hardware is the best option for a long-term solution.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@sunsuni6094 please do not use suction cup grab bars. If you must have a grab bar make sure the person installing them is licensed, bonded and insured. Also make sure the bar is going in the correct location in the correct orientation which should be determined by an OT who is certified to make those determinations.

[@KRoe-xz9gq]

I've always wondered why they don't make an adapter that will allow a walker to be clamped firmly onto the side of the tub so it can be used as a source of stability instead of grab bars.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@KRoe-xz9gq I love that idea. It’s already sized to the individual and trusted. Go invent it and I will recommend it to all my patients. Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@JoeyMParish]

I do not use a grab bar to stop me from falling during the fall although that may happen. I use it to support me while I’m getting in and out of the situation where grab bars are needed i have grab bars throughout my house and I would not remove any of them because they are so useful.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@JoeyMParish ty. Be safe!

[@arfaust1150]

After one fall in the bathroom, I have 5 grab bars. 2 are 5 ft long. ALL are screwed into the studs. the shower is "roll"-in plus Built in bench. No door. Is there anything I missed.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@arfaust1150 If you use a walker / rollator I would teach you to use them all the way into and out of the shower to minimize the number of times you let go in order to move. Would also recommend a handheld shower so you can stay seated. Built in benches are rarely close enough to be able to reach the shower controls so make sure the handheld shower has a shutoff switch. It’s all about managing risk. Hope this helps and be safe!

[@barbarag1382]

If the grab bar is wet, it is very slippery. They do no good to me in the running shower. They are ok for getting in and out of a dry shower.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@barbarag1382 Ty. Be safe!

[@travellife08]

This information makes a lot of sense to me, thank you for your suggestions.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

This is my goal. Ty for your kind words.

[@ericc461]

I'd avoid suction cup bars, as I'm a large person and they assume the adhesive holding the tile to the wall will hold you. Doubtful.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@ericc461 certainly. I do not endorse their use. Thank you and be safe!

[@roosts20412]

What you are saying makes a lot of sense. However, I believe that your obvious hatred of grab bars is stealing too much attention from your main point, which, I believe, is that there is a better way to stay safe. You might convince more people to do the things you recommend by starting your video (or your presentation) with a positive approach, rather than by harshly criticizing the advice they have almost certainly gotten from other people they trust, like their family members, doctors and therapists. Such criticism tends to put listeners in a position where they feel as though they have to defend their trusted advisors. Instead, why not start by pointing out the benefits of your approach. Begin by telling listeners real stories that you have heard from seniors about how safe they felt when they started using relatively inexpensive shower chairs or taking their walkers into the shower. Point out that many people have told you that they decided that they didn’t even need expensive grab bars once they got in the habit of sitting in the shower. Then you can discuss the additional downsides of grab bars without putting anyone on the defensive. There is one downside to foregoing grab bars. Many hospitals insist that a visiting nurse check the patient’s home for safety before they will discharge a patient. Typically, those nurses have a checklist of safety requirements, and grab bars are going to be on that list. It’s easier to have them installed early on, if you can afford it, than to find someone to do it in a rush when you are anxious to go home after a hospital stay.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Thank you for your perspective and extremely useful advice. I definitely see your point and am working everyday to get better with my communication skills. My wife says many of the same things with regard to my approach to things like this. I will do better next time. Hopefully you've subscribed and will see your advice in action in my next video. I am a very analytical person and sometimes I miss the more subtle points. Thank you!

[@roosts20412]

@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275 There’s nothing wrong with your communication skills. I’m just passing on lessons I learned while caring for two very stubborn parents well into their nineties. Now I’m getting on and I found your video while looking for advice on installing grab bars. I went down in my basement and found my mom’s old shower transfer bench (same one you’re sitting on) instead.

[@evasilvalayton758]

@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275I’m glad to hear that I will subscribe once I see that you focus on giving us positive helpful advice.

[@nuthinbutlove]

I'm so glad to hear someone making sense. I've always found it very apparent that grab bars would be useless if and when the time came they're needed, especially with the way most are installed.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@nuthinbutlove thank you

[@williamkniesly5090]

Just wondering what you are trying to sale.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@williamkniesly5090 I don’t sell anything. I am a licensed healthcare provider tired of seeing my patients use faulty equipment meant for another purpose.

[@yankeejade]

I agree, grab bars are horrible, they do not work! I'm having issues getting in and out of my tub, what do you recommend? I like the Mangar Portable Bath Lift Cushion for Adults however they are very expensive for some of us. Thank you for the video 🙂

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

I’d be interested to know about the product you mentioned. Otherwise a tub transfer bench is a $65 option that still allows for safe showering.

[@jamesstewart2543]

I am a resonably fit 80 yo male, but I do not think I could use a low horizontal grab bar to get up from a sitting position in a tub. I only take showers so it does not come up.

[@juliawigger9796]

I had a walk in Bath installed, its easier

[@JasonBower-ql3cd]

We need, MORE Consumer Report Testing Content like this! ((2024-'25)) Thank you! ◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾💙🇺🇸◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾ ◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾◾

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Thank you!

[@G.G.8GG]

Thanks for your passionate presentation. I bought two of those suction bars, didn't pay $25 for them, placed one at the front of the shower, hand height, and the other at the rear. Need to note those WILL NOT STICK WELL ON MATTE FINISH TILE. Anyway, I don't wait until I am falling to grab them, I steady myself with them getting in and out. They need to be tested often, before getting in the shower, to make sure they are still firmly attached and you need to make sure the tile they are attached to is firmly mounted on the wall. I am 80+, do not use a walker. I do use a shower stool when my energy falls. If I get to the point where I am as disabled as you describe I will definitely remember your advice. One last note. If we live in a rented home or apartment, we may not have the luxury of making bath alterations.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

thank you for your response. be safe!

[@chrisjeppesen2993]

Interesting. We put grab bars in a long with a new tub. Why, because both of our parents had to have their homes inspected for grab bars, before the hospital would release them. w

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@chrisjeppesen2993 Thank you for your comment and I hope they are both safe. The hospital would’ve sent them home even if you refused the grab bars, especially when the insurance stopped paying. Lastly, there were other things that could’ve possibly been done to make them safer, and an assessment by an OT certified to do so could’ve been conducted to ensure the best recommendations possible. Thank you and be safe!

[@elizabethloock1877]

We have a small ensuite bathroom which is going to get a minor make-over especially the stupid shower. Ages 64 and 73. Cannot do a walk in shower. What suggestion do you have if somehow one of us does or might fall. Understand your point on the grab bars.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@elizabethloock1877 spend the money for a roll in shower if you plan to age in place. Purchase a sturdy, move able shower chair. If this is cost prohibitive, then I stand by a tub transfer bench and handheld shower setup.

[@jamesstewart2543]

If you are going to redo the shower walls down to the studs, then put "horizontal blocking" inside the walls wherever you might later want to install grab bars. This is 2x6 or 2x8 blocking in the plane of the stud edges to allow fastening bars with the stainless steel screws that come with the bars.

[@jamesstewart2543]

​@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275A roll in shower is the best by far, but costs a lot doesn't it? If you have a standard shower and don't want to redo it, grab bars can help.

[@nuthinbutlove]

I highly recommend against non-slip bathtub mats. I've found that none of them prevent slips by 100% and for me anything less is unacceptable. You can have the bottom finished with epoxy or sand to create a totally non-skid finish. That's what I have in my tub/shower

[@jamesstewart87]

​​@@nuthinbutlove I have confidence in the type of mat I have been using for several years. What types of failures are you talking about?

[@elizabethhamilton1166]

I have ceramic tile in my bathroom, and the suction cup grab bars don't work. I think you need porcelain tile.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@elizabethhamilton1166 or not to use suction cup grab bars.

[@nuthinbutlove]

I'm not sure the materials make much difference. I believe they're a horrible intervention that gives the purchaser and/or user a very false sense of security.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@nuthinbutlove couldn’t have said it better

[@1965startrek]

Right…3inch lift. Horrible! Walker in shower!!! Great idea. Ok if walker lives in shower if there is room?

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@1965startrek walkers will rust but they are cheap at Goodwill. I’d just leave it so you don’t track water out.

[@Parakeetfriend4215]

Non slip in the tub or shower. Non slip grips in the tub or shower. Grab bars are for stablizing, non slip grips help prevent slipping, otherwise shower chair.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

all of these things should be recommended on a case by case basis after the space is inspected by an Occupational Therapist who is certified for environmental access or aging in place. then the modifications will be customized to each person for their needs.

[@susandmarie2067]

🌀🌀🌀Thanks for posting this info. I will be making changes to the bathrooms and I was thinking about the walker friendly walk-in showers. This lets me know that I have the right idea for the bathroom update. 🤝🤗✔️

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@susandmarie2067 you are welcome and thank you for thinking critically about your safety.

[@Parakeetfriend4215]

Shower chairs. If you use a walker then this is for you. You have a shower head on an long shower water hose and sit in the shower chair and wash all over including your hair.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

agree with this!

[@diwilliams2960]

Thank you for explaining about grab bars! I was seriously considering having one or 2 installed.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@diwilliams2960 you should find an OT to come to your home and discuss your best options

[@johnk8825]

We (65 & 74) have a set of grab bars in a box, in the bathroom, that were given to us. They will remain in the box but whenever we are asked at the doctor's office about grab bars in the bathroom, the honest answer is "yes". We do have them and they are "in the bathroom". They're satisfied.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@johnk8825 that made me chuckle. Ty

[@auntiemsplace]

Love it!😍

[@betsybarnicle8016]

clever

[@lindabrown6110]

None of their damn business! Tell them that when they ask.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@lindabrown6110 unfortunately, it should be their business helping people ensure their homes are safe and accessible. If not, people who try it on their own are rarely successful. But checklists don’t solve the problem.

[@donnasr1799]

They a solution help prevent falls.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

They definitely can when used properly. Most times though, people are not holding onto them or they are positioned improperly. Thank you for your comment and please be safe!

[@soilmanted]

Yes, quite correct, gravity pushes, or pulls, straight down. But neither the rotation of the earth on its axis, or the earth's magnetic field, has anything to do with why. The gravity of the earth is proportional to is _mass_ - how big the earth is. Not its volume, which is how much space it takes up, but how much "stuff" it consists of. Well, sort of like how much it weighs, if you could weigh it, but not exactly. Yes, beyond that I don't have a good understanding, but I do know it has nothing to do with rotation or magnetism.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@soilmanted thank you

[@MsHappyjac]

You have tile, and this type of grab bar will not adhere to it. However, they work beautifully in our shower, and we would not feel safe without them.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

this video was definitely not about the benefits of a suction cup grab bar...there are none. grab bars can be more beneficial if set to the proper height for the client as well as in a specific orientation for specific tasks. be safe!

[@TKnightcrawler]

Hmm. I mean, by this logic, you shouldn't have railings in staircases, right?

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@TKnightcrawler funny you should mention that, because the seniors I’m referring to shouldn’t be on stairs either. I have had many patients that stopped using stairs but still stand up in the shower.

[@mzmscoyote]

Well one does have to USE the grab bars in order for them to prevent falls. If they are just hanging there on the wall and you ignore them, yeah, they don’t prevent that fall

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Thank you. Be safe!

[@eogg25]

Are you saying just the temporary grab bars or permanent grab bars are unsafe. I won't use temporary. I have two permanent grab bars on the wall of the tub. have you ever had a dizzy spell and grabbed something so you won't fall. I have and there is a good chance it wont stop your fall. your body weight will pull you down.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@eogg25 do not use suction cup grab bars for sure. And yes I agree with your last statement..if you pass out you don’t have time to grab them. In that case, you should just find a way to sit down and stay seated.

[@angelaharris1112]

Thsnk you

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

thank you for watching!

[@Rosie362]

I’m an OT and I warn all elder folks that suction bars are not a safe option ever

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Agreed. I only carry it when I’m measuring someone if they insist that they want one or need one. Then I can get an accurate measurement for height and placement orientation.

[@yvonnebirch6026]

I have 3 grab bars in the toilet and 3 in the shower. I could not function without them. My son screwed them into walls. I am 88 and use a walker because of a weak leg with joint issues. My arms and hands are strong. I feel very safe. I would not trust the grab bars used in this video. I take the walker with me into the toilet and also use the grab bars.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@yvonnebirch6026 Ty. Be safe!

[@nicoleperron3315]

So I was right about stick on grab bars, the whole concept seems unsafe to me. I bought a small chair with back because the bathroom is too narrow for a transfer bench and I wouldn't be able to get to the toilet. The bathtub is apartment size so most of the chairs I was missing an inch for the feet to fit in the tub. I also bought a hand held shower head and even with that I had to sponge bathe because I couldn't raise my leg to get in. I have a few medical issues and I had 11 compression fractures in my back fun fun fun😂 But that settles installing permanent grab bars. When in doubt, do without 😂 I have the Rubbermaid extra long bath matt ever since I moved here replaced it a few times but my bath is like standing on ice never thought of shower shoes. As far as getting help I was told if you're not completely bedbound nobody is going to come, that was even with my doctor's help. The first time I got in the shower I cried, it's not easy getting help when you need it.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@nicoleperron3315 they make a transfer bench that doesn’t stick out of the tub and instead mounts partially to the outside edge of the tub. Unfortunately they leak though. Glad to hear you’re making safety changes. Be safe.

[@nicoleperron3315]

​@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275 leaking is not good 😊 my neighbor downstairs probably wants to keep his ceilings 😂 I'm doing ok with climbing in now, I don't need the chair as much. I always wondered if I was making a mistake not buying the grab bars, I did buy the rollator for when I have to go somewhere.

[@sonjo2419]

I thought they are mostly used for pulling themselves up.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@sonjo2419 they are used for a lot of different purposes. My point is they shouldn’t be used by the people who are the most fragile with the least to gain by challenging gravity when they could just sit down on a chair and take a shower. And if they insist on using them then they should be placed at an appropriate height for them.

[@JacquelynHerron]

Those suction grab bars aren't worth anything. Dangerous. If you are going to get grab bars, have a professional install steel bars into the shower wall studs. Grab bars are needed in addition to the other things you are suggesting.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

thank you. be safe!

[@lesliehunter1823]

I would never use a flimsy grab bar like that. I install 4 grab bars at different angles so i can reach 2 bars at any one time.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Yes. Do not use suction cup grab bars

[@Muksanim2012]

Suction cup grab bars are misnamed. They will definitely loose suction very quickly and should not be used to "grab" on. There is no guaranty that they will continue to adhere. You might as well be using scotch tape. I would never recommend suction grab bars to anyone. These should be outlawed.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@Muksanim2012 very dangerous for sure. Ty and be safe!

[@todddunn945]

I put grab bars in my bathroom before I had total knee replacement surgery. I have one horizontal one next to the toilet and a vertical grab bar in the shower. Both are strong enough to hold my weight. They are screwed to the wall into the studs with #14 x 3.5" screws. Yes my shower is tiled. The purposes of the two bars are different. The one by the toilet is there to give me something to push down on when getting on/off the toilet. It did the job admirably when I needed it for the first three months after surgery. The bar in the shower is there to give me something to hang onto to maintain my balance while showering. It also did what I needed it to do. I now only use it to support a soap dish. From my perspective, grab bars are to provide assistance in moving around and to help in preventing falls by giving a solid point to hang onto while keeping you upright. One comment - your explanation of gravity was 100% wrong except for the direction of the force. Getting something as basic as the force of gravity wrong greatly decreases my level of confidence in every thing else you had to say. Anyone who has a basic knowledge of home construction can install their own grab bar. The only hard part is locating the studs. You don't need any fancy tools, just a drill and appropriate bits for the surfaces you have to drill through.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@todddunn945 I appreciate your perspective and the most important thing is that you are safe.

[@rosemarymagrino772]

How about a rubber shower mat for traction?

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@rosemarymagrino772 no. Definitely don’t recommend those for numerous reasons. Instead I’d recommend someone who can come to the home to apply non-slip epoxy to slippery surface. Much better. Thank you for your question and be safe!

[@wincoffin7985]

Totally misguided. It's for balance, maybe for orientation when eyes are closed. That's what stops the fall. Not grabbing it as you fall. It's not going to prevent falls once you've slipped. But you're less likely to fall in the first place. You can do your other suggestions as well as have grab bars. I can fall if I lose balance -- even if it's not slippery. Solving 'slippery' doesn't solve balance issues. Grab bars do a better job of that.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@wincoffin7985 thank you for reiterating what I was saying. Be safe!

[@be5952]

Some good information here, BUT *this video needs some severe editing.* There' waayyyy too much 'beating around the bush' and needless filler, rather than presenting the necessary information straightforwardly. What took almost 24 minutes could have been said in half that time.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@be5952 I tend to be long winded. But thanks for watching the whole thing. Most people don’t so I separated part 2 out and reposted.

[@macherie1234]

Now I feel better about not having grab bars in my apartment. My landlord wouldn't install them, and I've never trusted the suction kind. I've had lower limb dysplasias and mobility limitations since birth. I walk in the bathroom with my walker, my husband helps me sit on my bath bench, and I shower with a handheld shower head while sitting the entire time. Then my husband helps me out into a bathrobe with a hood, I sit on the toilet lid, and he brings my walker back into the bathroom. Now I realize that this has been the safest way to shower.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

looks like youre doing things pretty safely. kudos to you and your husband. rentals are my favorite because they are typically the safest and cheapest modifications. homeowners dont realize they dont need a bunch of expensive permanent fixes

[@vickiford4135]

His advice should be in addition to grab bars not a substitute for them.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@vickiford4135 no. It’s my advice and my channel. I think I laid out a pretty clear clinical rationale for their limited use.

[@FM-dk1vp]

First off, I don’t consider that plastic thing a “grab bar” so I’m out!

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@FM-dk1vp thanks for your comment.

[@ACitizenOfOurWorld]

Wish you would get to the point sooner or more concisely. Perhaps prepare a sentence ahead of time to say. Fine to ramble on afterwards if someone wants to stick around for the full 23 minutes of details.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@ACitizenOfOurWorld good info. Definitely new to this and learning. Thank you

[@kathleenalbright3908]

I just wasted money having grab bars installed! Wish I'd watched this first.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@kathleenalbright3908 they’re not a waste of money if installed properly and used for the right reasons. My point is that too many people think it’s the only thing they need. Be safe!

[@elspethgreen7754]

Those suction bars are horrid. They fall off the wall.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

Usually when someone is holding onto them.

[@marinamorales39]

Hey buddy, suction cups don’t work. You have to drill them into the studs. What a jerk.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

the video was not about suction cup grab bars. be safe!

[@JoanCayenne]

It looks like a telephone😊

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@JoanCayenne 😂

[@blt981]

Suction grab bars fall off with weight applied the MOUNTED ONES WORK GREAT. REMOFELING CODES REQUIRE THE GRAB BARS……YOUR BEING CHEAP BRO…..IT SAVED MY MOM MANY TIMES………..

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@blt981 if codes require them that’s fine. I understand that many people feel like they need them. However, the people that I work with in most cases are better off just sitting down on a chair. Get a home safety assessment from someone credible and can make the best recommendations. I appreciate your perspective and am glad they helped your mom. The suction cup bar is only for measurement and illustrative purposes.

[@jmb-cm7mr]

Those suction grab bars are a joke and dangerous. Grab bars attached the right way work for those who need them. This video is a complete joke.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

this video was not about suction cup grab bars. be safe!

[@richspring1]

Gibberish.. proper grab bars and placement are lifesavers!.. He skirts and distorts the issue. Must be MAGA.

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@richspring1 Ty. Be safe!

[@marthahobbs5834]

You never said what to use instead so this video is useless

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@marthahobbs5834 every situation is different. You should get with an OT in your area who is specially certified in home safety to assist you in aging in place. Hopefully that was helpful.

[@elizabethcave7666]

You have to USE them….lol

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

There are safer ways than putting your life in your hands.

[@Carolyn-qd8mj]

Gee, condescending much?

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@Carolyn-qd8mj Ty for your comment. Be safe!

[@biggertom1234]

Wet the cups and then put them on the wall....!

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

They inadvertently demonstrated my exact concern about both suction cup grab bars.

[@elizabethloock1877]

@@modifiedindependenceevalua1275 concur with that. Those suction cups "suck" :D :D :D

[@blt981]

Dude you don’t know what you’re talking about…….

[@modifiedindependenceevalua1275]

@@blt981 I appreciate your comment. Can I ask from what perspective you are coming with your opinion? Are you a healthcare provider or contractor that installs grab bars?