When it comes to recommending home modifications, there are many different types of equipment available to assist with almost any situation you can imagine. But in spite of the diversity of clients and needs, there are certain equipment options that are almost never a good idea. Here are three of those options and the reasons not to use them with your clients.

Walk-in tub
At first glance, a walk-in tub seems like a great idea. Some clients prefer baths, and this option allows them to continue to take baths without having to deal with getting up and over the edge of the tub to do so. Instead, a client simply opens a door in the side of the tub and steps inside.

The issue, however, lies in the way these tubs work. In order to get into and out of the walk-in tub, it must be empty of water. And while this might not be an issue when starting a bath, this can be an issue at the end of a bath or if an emergency were to occur during the bath. In either of these situations, the client would be forced to sit in the tub until the water completely drained and they were able to open the door. The alternative would be to climb over the side of the tub, but if the client installed this tub because of a difficulty getting into and out of a standard tub, then this is likely not a realistic exit option.

Instead of recommending a walk-in tub, some other options to consider include a walk-in shower with a shower chair, a tub lift, or compensatory transfer training to facilitate use of a standard bathtub or garden tub. It may also be necessary to have the difficult conversation with your client about the realities of their current physical capabilities and how this might negatively impact their ability to bathe in the way they have previously.

Suction grab bars
Suction grab bars are another idea that seem great at first glance but pose hidden safety concerns. These grab bars attach to the walls of the tub or shower using suction cups, meaning they are easy to install and do not cause harm to the wall itself. This makes them very appealing to clients who live in rental homes or apartments or those with tile walls that they don’t want to damage by installing permanent grab bars.

But the issue with suction grab bars is that the suction feature can fail. Even if a client checks the security of the grab bar each time before use, there is no guarantee it will hold up for the full bath or shower. And the last thing you want your client to do is be in a situation where they are relying on a grab bar for stability only to have it give out on them.

The best alternative to suction grab bars are standard grab bars that mount securely into the studs in the wall. For clients who live in apartments or rental homes, have them talk with their landlord about the option of having grab bars permanently installed. Or you could even suggest to talk to the landlord yourself, if the client prefers. If you do talk to the landlord, educate them on the benefits of having increased accessibility in their bathrooms and share some ideas with them on styles, colors, or placement that might be tastefully added in a way that does not appear overly medical or institutional.

The same goes for a tile bathroom wall. If a client is particularly insistent upon not damaging their tile wall, explore other placement options for the grab bars. Perhaps you could even recommend that the client have a contractor come by and look at the wall to explore possible placement options. As in the rental situation, encourage clients to consider paying a little more for decorative grab bar options that will increase the value of the space rather than appear medical or institutional. There are lots of options available and in many cases they won’t even look like grab bars at all.

Anti-slip tub mat
Another bathroom modification to live without is an anti-slip tub mat. These mats stick to the bottom of the tub with little suction cups and provide a rubbery surface to keep clients from slipping on wet tub or shower floors. But as with the grab bars, this suction feature can fail, causing the mat to slip and clients to fall. And the placement on the tub or shower floor where the mat has increased exposure to soap scum only increases the rate and likelihood of failure.

Alternative options are anti slip decals with an adhesive backing that mount securely to the bottom of the tub or shower. These decals come in all sorts of shapes and colors—from the fun and decorative to the discrete and unobtrusive. There should be multiple options to fit the needs of any client.

For any home modification recommendations, it is important to think through all potential safety concerns. While no modification is completely without concerns, finding the one with the least number of concerns for your specific client and their situation can help to prevent injury and make the modification worthwhile. And if you find a client leaning towards a particular modification that you feel will be unsafe, talk to them and find out what they find appealing about that modification and educate them on the concerns you have. Usually by taking the time to talk it through, you will be able to make recommendations that meet your client’s objectives without sacrificing their safety.

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