A bathroom remodel thread for elderly parents..

[Cray Paper]

My parents are still living in the house they bought when they were young in 1967 in Kirkland WA. My dad is almost 80, a retired carpenter and his body is shot. He has several recent health issues that prevent him from stepping in to the jetted tub in their only bathroom.

I am looking to replace the tub with an ADA shower pan, me and one of my brothers will be doing the work. We are trying to plan this out so the down time is at a minimum. I ordered the pan from HD tonight, went with a 36" deep x 60" wide so there was no weird transition from the standard pan to the sheet vinyl flooring. My brother has the tile, grout and sealer, seems we only need the pan and some sweat equity. I am not to concerned about dealing with the plumbing drain revisions (I am a union carpenter but can glue some pipe together and or chop structure out of the way and re support, been there and done that several times).

My parents (stubborn ass dad, mom is ready to downsize now!) will probably be in the house for another 5 - 10 years at most. My youngest brother and I will fill the stud cavities with backing before the tile backer board is installed.

All this said, where can we find affordable solutions for elderly adults for grab bars, folding shower seats and all things that help elderly people stay in their home?

 

[Bobby V]

Have you looked at the walk in showers so they don't have to step into a high tub?

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Amazon has some solutions that are fair priced.

 

[RichL]

My parents are still living in the house they bought when they were young in 1967 in Kirkland WA. My dad is almost 80, a retired carpenter and his body is shot. He has several recent health issues that prevent him from stepping in to the jetted tub in their only bathroom.

I am looking to replace the tub with an ADA shower pan, me and one of my brothers will be doing the work. We are trying to plan this out so the down time is at a minimum. I ordered the pan from HD tonight, went with a 36" deep x 60" wide so there was no weird transition from the standard pan to the sheet vinyl flooring. My brother has the tile, grout and sealer, seems we only need the pan and some sweat equity. I am not to concerned about dealing with the plumbing drain revisions (I am a union carpenter but can glue some pipe together and or chop structure out of the way and re support, been there and done that several times).

My parents (stubborn ass dad, mom is ready to downsize now!) will probably be in the house for another 5 - 10 years at most. My youngest brother and I will fill the stud cavities with backing before the tile backer board is installed.

All this said, where can we find affordable solutions for elderly adults for grab bars, folding shower seats and all things that help elderly people stay in their home?

Moen makes some nice SS grab bars. I've purchased from Lowes if you're not using a wholesale house. Have some in my own house.

 

[bilz]

I don't know if it is still this way, but 15 years back the Ada bars were to big for my mom. We went with some non Ada bars that she could grasp.

 

[lbhsbz]

My parents are still living in the house they bought when they were young in 1967 in Kirkland WA. My dad is almost 80, a retired carpenter and his body is shot. He has several recent health issues that prevent him from stepping in to the jetted tub in their only bathroom.

I am looking to replace the tub with an ADA shower pan, me and one of my brothers will be doing the work. We are trying to plan this out so the down time is at a minimum. I ordered the pan from HD tonight, went with a 36" deep x 60" wide so there was no weird transition from the standard pan to the sheet vinyl flooring. My brother has the tile, grout and sealer, seems we only need the pan and some sweat equity. I am not to concerned about dealing with the plumbing drain revisions (I am a union carpenter but can glue some pipe together and or chop structure out of the way and re support, been there and done that several times).

My parents (stubborn ass dad, mom is ready to downsize now!) will probably be in the house for another 5 - 10 years at most. My youngest brother and I will fill the stud cavities with backing before the tile backer board is installed.

All this said, where can we find affordable solutions for elderly adults for grab bars, folding shower seats and all things that help elderly people stay in their home?

I took a slightly more "fuck it" approach when I had to get the bathroom wheelchair accessible for Krystal a few months back....just ripped the shower door out and used a curtain instead.

Check out Home Depot, they have a whole small section with disabled/elderly bathroom stuff. I got a few stainless grab bars for $20 each I think.

If 2 people are gonna be using the shower, you might just get some freestanding shower seats. I've got one of these, that worked out perfectly https://www.vevor.com/bath-shower-s...-360-degree-swivel-seat-400lbs-p_010713313672

It can be used in a tub or a shower....might even be able to keep the tub if something like this would work.

And a few of these https://www.amazon.com/Vaunn-Tool-F...emovable/dp/B07NM77DJ2/ref=asc_df_B07NM77DJ2/

One with and one without the backrest. I even use it quite a bit...

While it won't look as nice as built in stuff, you'll be stuck with built in stuff....if these chairs don't work for whatever reason, there are a bunch of different ones to try, as they age and their needs change. Then you can throw it all in the trash someday and it won't look like a ADA bathroom in a rehab hospital.

 

[Orange Juice]

My parents are still living in the house they bought when they were young in 1967 in Kirkland WA. My dad is almost 80, a retired carpenter and his body is shot. He has several recent health issues that prevent him from stepping in to the jetted tub in their only bathroom.

I am looking to replace the tub with an ADA shower pan, me and one of my brothers will be doing the work. We are trying to plan this out so the down time is at a minimum. I ordered the pan from HD tonight, went with a 36" deep x 60" wide so there was no weird transition from the standard pan to the sheet vinyl flooring. My brother has the tile, grout and sealer, seems we only need the pan and some sweat equity. I am not to concerned about dealing with the plumbing drain revisions (I am a union carpenter but can glue some pipe together and or chop structure out of the way and re support, been there and done that several times).

My parents (stubborn ass dad, mom is ready to downsize now!) will probably be in the house for another 5 - 10 years at most. My youngest brother and I will fill the stud cavities with backing before the tile backer board is installed.

All this said, where can we find affordable solutions for elderly adults for grab bars, folding shower seats and all things that help elderly people stay in their home?

What’s the bathroom door width? All my interior doors were 32”+, but the bathroom doors were all 28”. During the remodel, I changed them to 32”.

 

[lbhsbz]

What’s the bathroom door width? All my interior doors were 32”+, but the bathroom doors were all 28”. During the remodel, I changed them to 32”.

Good point. Mine was 24". I made it 28" because the wheel chair was 26" wide, but failed to make sure that a chair, once through the door, could maneuver where it needed to go. I ended up opening the door up another 10 inches (just on the bottom half lol) so she could enter a better angle and get to everything.

If a walker/wheelchair might be in the future...take that into consideration.

 

[77charger]

Are you tiling it or doing a drop in deal?If you are doing a tile one and want it walk in you will need to lower or drop the floor where the shower will be,Normally you need to drop the floor down about 2.5 inches minimum but 3 will be better.The height of a 2 piece showerpan drain will be almost 2 inches high at minimum and you will need room for preslope,waterproof material and float/tile which will take up that 2.5-3 inches fast.

i really dont have experience with the pre fab fiberglass deals so no advice on those.I dont do tile but i do the waterproofing and see showers daily

 

[PlanB]

I am doing the same for my mom right now (dementia getting worse). I have the pan, and everything installed just need to put backing board up, waterproofing and tile. Good point on the door width above. Her house in 50 years old and the door is 24" with not much room to go bigger. I ended up adding a second door from the other side of the bathroom and was able to get a 32" door to fit. I have to decide to go shower curtain or door now.

 

[Cray Paper]

Good point. Mine was 24". I made it 28" because the wheel chair was 26" wide, but failed to make sure that a chair, once through the door, could maneuver where it needed to go. I ended up opening the door up another 10 inches (just on the bottom half lol) so she could enter a better angle and get to everything.

If a walker/wheelchair might be in the future...take that into consideration.

Great

Moen makes some nice SS grab bars. I've purchased from Lowes if you're not using a wholesale house. Have some in my own house.

Their bathroom is small, the toilet is next to the tub on the left side when walking through the 24" door. The bathroom is the cookie cutter 60" wide by minimum depth for a sink, toilet then tub. The toilet is on the left side as is the plumbing for the sink, and shower as well as waste piping is on the left.

Thank you for all the reply's, going to take a bit to get through them!

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Look into "Freedom Showers" and be done. I have used a few on wheelchair houses I've built. They come with everything, work very well and everyone has been happy with them. They are not cheap but great for inserts!

https://www.freedomshowers.com/APX6032BFKTL?campaign=21481695005&content=706113579580&keyword=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsoe5BhDiARIsAOXVoUtn0GP4AbNUgi59rf8d1mdWj7QyatEoQjDazyy1bRfh2VMSFG4Iet0aAvWrEALw_wcB

 

[RichL]

Great

Their bathroom is small, the toilet is next to the tub on the left side when walking through the 24" door. The bathroom is the cookie cutter 60" wide by minimum depth for a sink, toilet then tub. The toilet is on the left side as is the plumbing for the sink, and shower as well as waste piping is on the left.

Thank you for all the reply's, going to take a bit to get through them!

This describes a bathroom job I did not too long before I retired. Installed a Sterling shower base ( on a mortar bed) with matching walls. Placed backing and a vertical grab bar between the water closet and shower and a 36" horizontal bar with backing on the back wall. Fortunately we could get away with the small lip at the entrance to the shower.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

The grab bar deal you can get at Ferguson, HD, Amazon, etc.

As for the seat, virtually all of our senior housing facilities we build (1000ish doors a year) have gone away from a built in seat and have gone to portable slide in style.

 

[Cray Paper]

I don't know if it is still this way, but 15 years back the Ada bars were to big for my mom. We went with some non Ada bars that she could grasp.

My mom doesn't have any many mobility or stability issues and my dad still has big and strong hands. I appreciate that he passed those traits and associated follow on traits to me!

 

[Cray Paper]

Have you looked at the walk in showers so they don't have to step into a high tub?

They have a jetted tub now, the tub needs to go away and a low step (ADA compliant) shower is needed.

 

[Cray Paper]

Are you tiling it or doing a drop in deal?If you are doing a tile one and want it walk in you will need to lower or drop the floor where the shower will be,Normally you need to drop the floor down about 2.5 inches minimum but 3 will be better.The height of a 2 piece showerpan drain will be almost 2 inches high at minimum and you will need room for preslope,waterproof material and float/tile which will take up that 2.5-3 inches fast.

i really dont have experience with the pre fab fiberglass deals so no advice on those.I dont do tile but i do the waterproofing and see showers daily

I bought a fiberglass shower pan and we will clad the walls with ceramic tile. My dad taught us to be self sufficient and me and my youngest brother are union carpenters that are well versed in finish trades work and have done a lot of side work in the same arena. The shower pan I bought has a minimal instep height. There has to be a lip, we asked and had my dad show us what he is able to step over. Having a minimal (1/2" or less) trheshold creates it's own issues. I have seen this go sideways on a project for Paul Allen, the step in lip wasn't tall enough and the shower heads were pointed in the wrong directions and the water ran out of the shower pans and flooded the restroom floors. The sewer lines were plugged by female employees that flushed their used tampons down the toilet, multiple times, different rant but something I have had to deal with in my career.

 

[whiteworks]

I think I’d skip the wall tile and just do a full kit with walls included, knock the whole thing out in a day and be done with it, as well when you go to sell the house you can pop it out quick and put a tub back into so you have a full bath. They have some nicer solid surface kits vs. the fiberglass cheapy stuff if you want to spice it up a bit.

 

[RichL]

If you're installing a fiberglass shower pan don't forget to set it in a mud bed.

 

[Mike Honcho]

One thing I haven’t heard anyone mention is before putting your waterproofing system in place add some blocking for the grab bars. This is what I do when we do them it’s nice to have a larger area to screw the grab bars into and a little planning goes a long way.
Not sure if you guys have the Kerri stuff up there but I like it and it’s much lighter than the hard board and faster to cut and install. This could reduce your down time having all the rough in and waterproofing done in a day. Then water test and start tiling, just a thought.

Good luck and I wish I had kids that would help me when I get that age.

 

[JDKRXW]

I think I’d skip the wall tile and just do a full kit with walls included, knock the whole thing out in a day and be done with it, as well when you go to sell the house you can pop it out quick and put a tub back into so you have a full bath. They have some nicer solid surface kits vs. the fiberglass cheapy stuff if you want to spice it up a bit.

Something to look at for sure. A house without a tub is going to take a major hit in value when it comes time to sell.
I've got a utility/bathroom with tub that I'm thinking of re-doing with Trusscore to get away from tile.

 

[Cobalt232]

Something to look at for sure. A house without a tub is going to take a major hit in value when it comes time to sell.
I've got a utility/bathroom with tub that I'm thinking of re-doing with Trusscore to get away from tile.

Do people really want tubs? The only time ours is used is to wash the dog (cause is has a handheld sprayer) and the rest of the time it holds our used bath towels. The family joke is that the dog is the only one to use the Victoria & Albert Volcanic Ash bathtub.

 

[Orange Juice]

Something to look at for sure. A house without a tub is going to take a major hit in value when it comes time to sell.
I've got a utility/bathroom with tub that I'm thinking of re-doing with Trusscore to get away from tile.

Not so much anymore. Back in the day the tub was used for more than just washing the kids.

 

[Cray Paper]

My parents house is a very desired neighborhood, wasn't that way when you were young. The property alone is still worth 1.5 million and the house will be bought and torn down when they sell. It is in Kirkland WA. Not concerned with resale value, just want my parents to live out their life in the home they want to stay in.

 

[Orange Juice]

My parents house is a very desired neighborhood, wasn't that way when you were young. The property alone is still worth 1.5 million and the house will be bought and torn down when they sell. It is in Kirkland WA. Not concerned with resale value, just want my parents to live out their life in the home they want to stay in.

I'm almost finished with a 5x10 bathroom remodel. I converteted from a tub/shower, to a fiberglass pan. Its about 3.5” off the slab, and with a tile floor, should put it close to 3” lip. Plumbing from a tub to a shower, you’ll find most of the tub drain plumbing is 1.5 inch, but all the shower drains are 3”. I dug back to the 3” and repiped it all 3”.

Before I installed the pan, I used about a 2/3 bag of brown mud. It made the pan rock solid. Make sure it is level as you tap it into the mud. I used a 4’ and 30” level, and made sure the surface was clean.

I replaced my vanity, and found the new cabinets have 2” less in depth. It gave me the opportunity to remove the old 28” door and barely squeeze in a 32” door.

Be sure to shim the backer board, so the walls are flush, and helps keeping the tiling straight. If you get it square and level from the start, the results are much better.

 

[NicPaus]

Shower drain should be 2" not 3. Tub can be 1 1/2".

 

[Orange Juice]

Shower drain should be 2" not 3. Tub can be 1 1/2".

Your correct 2”. I just remember having to open up my slab and digging down with a screwdriver until I found the union.