Aging Safe at Home

If you’re planning for the long haul, widening a doorway for aging in place is often the first structural project families ask me about. That can be the one obstacle that stops an aging-in-place safety plan in its tracks. In most standard homes, a 30-inch bathroom door is the norm. It works fine today, but … Read more

A curbless shower for seniors is one of the most impactful upgrades in any aging-in-place bathroom plan — but it’s only one piece of a larger system. If you’re looking at the full picture, my Ultimate Guide to Senior Bathroom Safety maps out every element before we get into the subfloor details. Before you fall … Read more

Keeping It Level A grab bar in the wrong spot is just a towel rack. Before you drill anything, map the three moments that actually require support — entry, transit, and the sit-to-stand transition. Get those zones right first, then worry about the finish. Use the personalized height calculator further down this page to find … Read more

A built-in shower bench when it’s originally framed, is not the actual height of the finished product. It can seem perfect during the “rough-in” phase. But by the time we add the sloped mortar bed, the waterproof membrane, and the thick natural stone tile, the finished seat height is a few inches taller than when … Read more

Keeping It Level A shower chair isn’t a luxury item or a sign of giving up — it’s often the smarter choice over a built-in bench, especially in a smaller stall. The wrong chair is just as dangerous as no chair. Avoid suction cups, avoid steel frames, and make sure the controls are within reach … Read more

Keeping It Level The best shower bench isn’t the most expensive one — it’s the one that’s framed correctly, sloped toward the drain, and set at the right height for the person using it. A built-in bench that pools water is a mold problem waiting to happen. A freestanding bench with hard plastic feet is … Read more

Keeping It Level A walk-in tub and a walk-in shower don’t solve the same problem — and choosing the wrong one is an expensive mistake that’s nearly impossible to undo. The tub wins on therapeutic value. The shower wins on everything else — caregiver access, emergency exit, long-term adaptability, and daily practicality. If you’re not … Read more

Keeping It Level The most common mistake isn’t placement — it’s trusting the drywall. A grab bar screwed into drywall is a liability dressed up as a safety feature. Know what’s behind your wall before you commit to a location and never skip the silicone. Use the personalized height calculator further down this page to … Read more