The bathroom is where most home accidents happen to older people — and it's usually a handful of small, inexpensive changes that make the real difference, not a full renovation. Here's what actually helps, what it costs, and how to know it's time.
Bathrooms are consistently one of the highest-risk rooms in the home for falls. The floor is often wet, the surfaces are hard, and getting in and out of a bath or up from a low seat is one of the most physically demanding everyday movements — especially with reduced grip strength, balance or mobility. None of that means moving to a care home or a full wet-room rebuild. Most of the time it means a few targeted changes, properly fitted, in the places where a slip or a stumble is most likely.
Any one of these on its own isn't necessarily urgent — but if a few of them sound familiar, it's usually worth acting before a fall happens rather than after.
These are the jobs I fit most often for exactly this reason — each one is a fixed price, and every price includes the item itself, agreeing the right position with you first, and a proper safety test before I leave.
| Grab rail, 300mm | £50 |
| Grab rail, 450mm | £55 |
| Grab rail, 600mm | £60 |
| Non-slip strips on steps and thresholds | £70 |
| Easy-turn lever basin taps fitted | £100 |
| Fold-down shower seat fitted | £145 |
Worth knowing: grab rails and shower seats can only be fitted to a solid wall — fixings into plasterboard or a stud wall aren't strong enough to be trusted with someone's full weight, so that's always checked before booking. See the full elderly & accessibility service page or the complete price list for everything else, including raised toilet seats.
Arranging this for a parent? You're very welcome to book on their behalf, and to be there during the visit — whatever's easiest for your family.
When my own mum and dad needed their bathroom made safer, I took out the old bath and fitted a walk-in shower, tanked and tiled properly, with grab rails and easy-turn controls — the same jobs described above. Doing that for my own parents is what taught me how much even the smallest change can matter.
See the full story and photosIt's strongly recommended. A grab rail is only as safe as its fixing — it needs to be positioned correctly, fitted into solid material, and pull-tested before it's trusted with someone's full weight. A professional fitting also means the right rail is matched to the wall and the job.
No — grab rails need a solid wall behind them. Fixings into plasterboard or a stud wall aren't strong enough to be safe under load, so this is always confirmed before booking.
Not necessarily for straightforward changes like grab rails, non-slip strips or easy-turn taps — these can usually be arranged directly. If you're unsure exactly what's needed, an OT assessment through a GP or local council can help, and any recommendations from that can be fitted afterwards.
Yes, very welcome to. It's common for a son, daughter or carer to arrange everything on a parent's behalf, and to be present during the visit if that's easier for the family.
Get in touch and tell me what would help — even if you're not sure exactly what's needed. You're welcome to get in touch on behalf of a parent or relative.