A walk-in tub can sound like the obvious solution when stepping over the side of a bathtub starts feeling unsteady, but an expensive bathroom remodel shouldn’t necessarily be your first move. Sometimes the real problem is a missing grab bar, slippery tub floor, low toilet, poor lighting, or having to stand through an entire shower. The National Institute on Aging recommends several relatively simple bathroom modifications that can make everyday routines safer without replacing the bathtub. That’s particularly important when you’re trying to balance affordable bathroom safety with a retirement home-improvement budget and aren’t sure whether the problem requires a few inexpensive modifications or a major renovation. Before committing thousands of dollars to a walk-in tub or bathroom conversion, identify exactly where you feel unstable and see whether one of these six smaller upgrades addresses the actual problem.
