Buying guide: bathroom safety supplies for mobility challenges
Bathroom safety is essential if you or your loved one have low or limited mobility. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 285,000 Americans suffer bathroom-related injuries each year. Four out of five of these injuries are caused by falls, which can be particularly dangerous for older adults.
Although it’s impossible to eliminate every risk, installing safety supplies, like rubber mats, grab bars, and raised toilet seats, can reduce the likelihood of falls, and in turn, broken bones and emergency room visits. In this guide, we explain why bathroom safety is so important and highlight several products that can support mobility and help prevent injuries.
Why Bathroom Safety Matters
Most of us spend little time thinking about the bathroom, but this room presents several risks for those with limited mobility.
Many bathrooms are small, making it difficult to maneuver mobility devices like walkers and rollators. Surfaces like linoleum and tile provide little traction, and moisture from baths or showers can make them dangerously slick. In addition, movements like getting up and down from the toilet seat can be challenging. For adults with poor balance, they can also increase the risk of falls.
Despite these potential hazards, plenty can be done to support your loved one’s independence and reduce the risk of injuries. Bathroom safety products are a great place to start. This shoppable list features several of our top recommendations.
Tips For Choosing Bathroom Safety Supplies
Every caregiving situation is different, so you must choose products that align with your and your family’s needs. Here are a few tips to make your search easier:
Consider the user’s mobility and limitations: Things like poor balance, arthritis, and the ability to sit and stand on their own
Choose durable, high-quality materials: Look for products that are rust-resistant, have non-stick plastics or secure fastenings
Ask a doctor or physical therapist for personalized recommendations
Read product reviews: Look for insights around installation, durability, and overall effectiveness
How We Chose The Products Featured On This List
The products featured on this list are a mix of our best-selling and highest-rated bathroom safety supplies. Whenever possible, we’ve included real customer feedback under the heading “Hear It From a User/Caregiver.”
Best Bathroom Safety Products for Mobility Challenges
To help you create a safer bathroom, we’ve compiled a list of essential products organized by use case: shower safety, toilet assistance, and overall fall prevention.
Shower Safety - Benches & Chairs
1. Medline Bath Bench with Back and Arms
This Medline bath bench makes bathing easier for people with mobility challenges. It keeps your loved one off their feet so they’re less likely to slip and fall. The bench’s height can be adjusted and the wide 13.5 x 16 inch seat provides plenty of space for people of all sizes to sit comfortably.
Key Benefits & Features
The bench’s frame is made of sturdy, lightweight aluminum, and can hold up to 350 pounds.
The bench can be easily assembled without tools. It’s easy to break down and small enough for travel and storage.
The molded plastic seat has drainage holes that prevent water from pooling, helping to eliminate slippery surfaces.
Pros
Provides a safe, comfortable seating area for people who need help bathing and showering.
The adjustable height makes it easy to customize for your family’s needs.
Cons
Some users report that the seat is narrow. Taking measurements before ordering can help you determine if it’s the right choice.
Some customers say that water pools on the seat, making the surface slippery.
Hear It From a Caregiver: “Great help and sturdy. [I got this chair] for my Dad to use in the shower and it has been really helpful. He is tall and being able to raise the height of the chair has been great. The arms provide great support sitting and standing up and getting in and out of the shower.” - Adrienne G.
Price: $41.98
2. McKesson Knocked Down Bath Transfer Bench with Removable Arm Rail
This McKesson bath transfer bench is a great option if you or your loved one have a larger body. The aluminum frame can support up to 400 pounds and the extended bench design is slip-resistant. The bench’s height can easily be adjusted and the plastic backrest provides additional support.
Key Benefits & Features
The bench’s height can be adjusted in ½ inch increments, ensuring maximum comfort.
The aluminum A-frame is strong and lightweight, so the bench is easy to move and store.
The bench can be assembled quickly without any tools.
Pros
Supports up to 400 pounds of weight.
The slip-resistant tips make it easier to get in and out of the bath or shower safely.
The bench’s seat is 26 inches wide and capable of supporting larger bodies.
Hear It From a Caregiver: “The transfer bench arrived in excellent condition and was very easy to assemble. The bench is sturdy and well-constructed. The bench is also very stable and easy to use. [A] first-rate transfer bench.” - John B.
Price: $76.96 - $96.39
3. Drive Shower Stool
This Drive shower stool is sturdy, strong, and user-friendly. It’s made of lightweight aluminum and features an impact-resistant plastic seat. The legs can be adjusted in one-inch increments and the bench can be assembled without tools. It’s an affordable and effective way to help prevent bathroom falls.
Key Benefits & Features
This bench can support up to 300 pounds.
The seat is 13 inches by 13 inches, so it supports most body types.
The aluminum frame is lightweight for easy transportation and corrosion-resistant, so it doesn’t rust.
Pros
This bench provides a safer, more secure bathing experience.
The number #1 bathroom support stool on the market.
Provides support so you can safely enter and exit the shower.
Cons
This stool only supports up to 300 pounds, so it isn’t suitable for people with larger bodies.
This stool doesn’t have arm or back rests, so it’s not recommended for people who have difficulty sitting upright.
Hear It From a User: “The shower stool is perfect for our needs. It is solid, sturdy, and adjustable. I can use it in the shower to sit on or to stand on the shower floor and put one leg up while holding a grab bar, so I can reach my lower legs and feet. Outside the shower, my husband uses it by his chair as a footstool or table. In the kitchen I can sit on it to organize low shelves. It is obviously not for standing on! We enjoy the versatility of this excellent product.” - Joyce H.
Fall Prevention - Rubber Mats
Rubber mats are slip-resistant and provide extra traction to reduce the risk of fall injuries.
4. Medline Rubber Bath Mat
This Medline bath mat is lined with suction cups on the bottom to prevent it from changing position in the tub or shower. It’s made of sturdy rubber and covered with an antimicrobial treatment that helps prevent general wear and tear.
Key Benefits & Features
This mat is slip-resistant to help prevent slip-and-fall injuries.
The suction cups on the bottom hold the mat in place and prevent it from moving around while bathing.
The antimicrobial treatment prevents wear and tear, keeping the mat in great shape for years to come.
Hear It From a User: “As everyone knows soap, shampoo, and tile floors don't play well together. Having this mat [has] made every thing play well [and] I feel much safer now.” - John W.
Price: $14.00
Fall Prevention - Grab Bars & Toilet Safety Rails
Grab bars and toilet safety rails make it easier to get in and out of the shower and up and down on the toilet. They reduce the risk of injuries and support your loved one’s independence.
5. McKesson Bathtub Grab Bar
This McKesson grab bar is recommended for caregivers who help their loved ones bathe in the tub. The handle’s design provides added security when getting in and out of the tub and the rubber grip pads securely hold the handle in place, preventing scratches. The bar’s width can be adjusted from 3 to 7 inches so it fits most acrylic, porcelain, and cast iron tubs.
Key Benefits & Features
This grab bar has an attractive white, powder-coated steel construction, providing heavy-duty durability with a clean appearance.
The handle is designed to provide secure hand position parallel to the tub, so users can get up and down safely without slipping or falling.
Once installed, the bar provides added security and stability in the bathtub.
Pros
This grab bar can support up to 300 pounds of weight.
The adjustable clamp-locking mechanism mounts securely to the bathtub and doesn’t require tools to install.
Cons
This handle can’t be used on fiberglass bathtubs, so it isn’t an option for everyone.
The handle only adjusts from three to seven inches in width, so it doesn’t fit all bathtubs.
Hear It From a Caregiver: “We had other bathtub bars that finally would not tighten again. Bought these and they are wonderful. Easier to tighten and stay tight. Would buy again.” - Sharon M.
Price: $37.65
6. Drive Chrome Knurled Grab Bar
This Drive chrome grab bar can be mounted horizontally or vertically in (or next to) your tub. It comes in several sizes and features an engraved, diamond-shaped pattern on the handle that provides a reliable grip, even with wet hands. Once mounted, the bar sits 1 ½ inches away from the wall, providing plenty of room for users to grab it comfortably.
Key Benefits & Features
Three sizes of grab bars are available: 12 inches, 16 inches, and 24 inches.
The chrome construction is sleek and stylish, so it fits with almost any bathroom design.
The textured handle provides extra grip support, even when your hands are wet.
Pros
This bar can be mounted horizontally or vertically.
The bar provides support for users when getting in or out of the bathtub or shower.
Cons
Some users don’t like the chrome finish and say it’s too utilitarian.
Self-installation is required. Mounting a grab bar can be challenging if you’ve never done it before.
Hear It From a User: “Good quality.” - Ann M.
Price: $19.18 - $64.89
7. Medline Toilet Safety Rails
These Medline safety rails make it easier to get up and down on the toilet. The height can be easily adjusted to meet the user’s needs and the foam armrests provide a comfortable, sure grip while preventing slipping. The aluminum frame is easy to clean and can be mounted to the toilet bowl for long-term use.
Key Benefits & Features
These toilet safety rails can support users weighing up to 300 pounds.
The width between the armrests can be adjusted from 8 inches to 24 inches.
The closed-cell foam armrests provide additional comfort and reduce the risk of bumps, bruises, and scrapes.
Pros
These safety rails make toileting safer and less stressful.
The handles are adjustable and rotate back, allowing a wide range of comfortable, secure positions.
The aluminum frame is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to clean.
Cons
These safety rails can only support 300 pounds, so they may not be an option for people with larger bodies.
Some users report that the rails are somewhat flimsy and wobble.
Hear It From a Caregiver: We tried 2 other products prior to this purchase. The first had sloping hand rails and my father's hands slid right off when standing. The second had rear legs with suction cups that wouldn't stick and was very wobbly. The Medline Toilet Safety Rails work perfectly. [They’re] strong, steady, [have] lots of grab padding, and [are] easy to install.” - Susan D.
Price: $39.19
Toilet Assistance - Raised Toilet Seats
Sitting comfortably on a toilet seat requires you to squat down several inches, but if you have limited mobility, those movements can increase your risk of a fall. Raised toilet seats help lift the toilet, so you don’t have to bend down as much. This makes them a great option for people with weak muscles, joint pain, and difficulty moving up and down.
8. Drive Premium Plastic, Raised, Elongated Toilet Seat with Lock
This Drive raised toilet seat fits most elongated toilets and supports up to 300 pounds. It’s five inches in height, significantly reducing the need to squat down. The seat is easy to clean and lightweight, so you can pack and take it with you when traveling.
Key Benefits & Features
This raised toilet seat can be installed without any tools.
The seat’s universal design ensures it fits on most elongated toilets.
The seat is 15 ½ by 17 inches.
Pros
This seat is lightweight, so it’s easy to pack and transport.
This seat is easy to clean.
The seat locks to the toilet, preventing it from changing position when someone is sitting down.
Cons
This seat only supports up to 300 pounds, so it may not be suitable for users with larger bodies.
The seat only comes in one color: white.
Hear It From a User: “This was just what we needed for post-op mobility help. It arrived very quickly and needed very little assembly. Easy to install and take off.” - Debe T.
9. Carex Raised Toilet Seat with Rubber Pads, 5.5’
This Carex raised toilet seat is a great option for users who want additional comfort. The rubber pads provide extra cushion and retain body heat, providing a pleasant toileting experience. The seat can be installed without tools and supports up to 300 pounds.
Key Benefits & Features
This raised toilet seat adds 5-5.5 inches of height to any standard toilet seat.
The seat is contoured and wide, so it supports a variety of body types.
The raised design supports users with low mobility and musculoskeletal pain, reducing the risk of falls and other injuries.
Pros
Installing this seat doesn’t require any tools. Simply follow the instructions inside the package.
The slip-resistant rubber pads provide added stability and prevent the seat from changing position when in use.
The seat is 5.5 inches high, 15 inches wide, and 16 inches in diameter.
Cons
This seat only supports 300 pounds, so it may not be suitable for users with larger bodies.
Some users say the seat doesn’t fit all toilets and can change position during use, making it unstable.
Hear It From a Caregiver: “This raised toilet is the best yet. Not only is it higher but it hits just right and better when using it. The dual tapes didn't last long but I picked up some industrial-strength dual tape that is better. [I’m] so glad I ordered this.” - Gayle T.
Price: $25.96
Get Fast, Free Shipping & 30% Off with Autoship
Bathroom safety is crucial, but stocking up supplies can be expensive. To help you save, we offer free shipping on all orders $49+. We also encourage you to sign up for our Autoship program. New enrollees receive 30% off their first order and an additional 5% off future orders of qualifying products.
Additional Questions? Our Care Team Is Here To Support You!
Modifying your bathroom to support a loved one with low or limited mobility takes time and effort. If you’re unsure where to begin or have specific questions about the products featured on this list, contact our friendly Care Team. Our Care Team members speak English and Spanish and are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Call (800) 696-CARE or email support@carewell.com.
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Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.