Is Shugarman's Bath Good at Shower Remodels for the Elderly?

Mobility needs change as we get older. A parent or spouse's mobility becomes difficult, and an outdated tub or shower can become a fall risk. That risk can lead to a serious fall, a hospital stay, or a bigger life change like moving to a nursing home.

What’s hard to figure out is whether the company you want to hire accommodates elderly homeowners. Do they know where safety features should go? Will those features be secure? Or do they do the same cookie-cutter install in every home?

Shugarman's Bath has completed more than 7,000 tub and shower remodels, many of them built specifically around the safety of elderly homeowners. That focus on elderly safety goes back to how Shugarman’s Bath got its start.

By the end of this article, you'll know why Shugarman's Bath understands elderly bathroom safety so well, what to plan for during the remodel, which features make a shower safer, the mistakes that put families at risk, whether any government program helps pay for it, and how fast a safer shower can be installed.

Table of Contents:

• Why Does Shugarman's Bath Understand Elderly Bathroom Safety So Well?
• What Should You Plan For When Remodeling a Shower for an Elderly Family Member?
• What Shower Features Keep Elderly Homeowners Safe?
• Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling a Shower for an Elderly Loved One
• Is There a Government Program That Helps the Elderly Pay for a Shower Remodel?
• How Fast Can Shugarman's Bath Complete a Shower Remodel for an Elderly Loved One?

Why Does Shugarman's Bath Understand Elderly Bathroom Safety So Well?

The Shugarman family has roots in medical equipment. That history shapes how the company approaches safety today.

Grandpa Jeff Shugarman ran a medical equipment store for 20 years. His grandson, also named Jeff Shugarman, now one of the founders of Shugarman's Bath, got his start modifying homes for people with disabilities, using equipment and know-how from that same medical store. That work grew into the home improvement business, where he learned to widen doorways and make other home safety modifications. It built a background in making showers and bathrooms safer.

Shugarman's Bath is still a family-run company. Looking back almost 50 years, that experience shapes how the company approaches safety today. Shugarman's Bath completes 150-160 tub and shower remodels a month. Our team sees a wide range of homeowners with physical needs and mobility challenges. It’s ingrained in the team, going back to those medical equipment days.

What Should You Plan For When Remodeling a Shower for an Elderly Family Member?

Plan for the mobility your loved one might need later. As we get older, mobility becomes challenging.

It might be easy to lift a leg now, but that can change in 5 or 10 years. Think of getting rid of the old high-threshold bathtub and putting in a walk-in shower. You can add reinforced backing during your shower remodel so you can add grab bars or a shower seat later. A piece of solid wood behind the wall gives you something to anchor into later without tearing into the walls again.

What Shower Features Keep Elderly Homeowners Safe?

Here are shower features that can help keep elderly homeowners safe:

• Grab bars for anyone who needs to steady themselves getting in, out, or around the shower.
• A built-in seat or bench for anyone who needs to sit down while bathing.
• A handheld showerhead with the diverter valve mounted lower on the wall.
• A slip-resistant, safe-grip surface to stand on. Slippery floors are one of the biggest risks in the tub and shower area, especially when wet.

Some companies solve the slip risk with adhesive strips or stickers placed on an existing shower floor. Those wear out and peel over time, so they only help for a little while. A floor built with a slip-resistant surface from the start lasts longer and shouldn't need patching or replacement down the road.

Mistakes to Avoid When Remodeling a Shower for an Elderly Loved One

Before a remodel starts, family members might talk a loved one out of it to protect their future inheritance, and the guilt of spending the money can make them drop the idea altogether. This can result in an elderly loved one falling and having to stay in the hospital or move to a nursing home, which costs far more than a remodel.

Many families will choose the cheapest installer for their shower remodel. Choosing a cheaper installer puts their loved one at risk of poorly installed grab bars and other safety features. Core safety features might not be positioned or anchored correctly. Without a solid backing, a grab bar can pull loose when someone tries to regain balance.

Another mistake is swapping a tub for a basic tile shower to save money. A tile-threshold shower still has a 6-7 inch lip to step over. It’s easier to step over than a tub threshold, but the fall risk remains.

Is There a Government Program That Helps the Elderly Pay for a Shower Remodel?

There isn’t a broad government program that helps someone pay for a shower remodel. Ads mentioning a "government program" for elderly homeowners usually come from lead generators, whose main goal is to get someone to schedule a home visit.

Medicare will not pay for a shower remodel. The VA might be able to help cover part of the remodel cost. Veterans rated 70% disabled or higher may qualify to receive $6,800 toward their remodel.

Shugarman's Bath is also a VA-approved installer for these kinds of remodels.

How Fast Can Shugarman's Bath Complete a Shower Remodel for an Elderly Loved One?

Installation can be completed in 1-2 days.

If a loved one is coming home from a hospital stay or a rehab facility, waiting weeks for a safer shower doesn’t need to be an option. Most remodeling companies work on a 4-6 week timetable before the project even gets started.

Our In-Stock Program quickens your project start date. Because materials are already in stock instead of being ordered, installation can often be scheduled within 2 weeks of signing. This option can help make your loved one’s bathroom safer and ready in less time.

What's the First Step to Making a Shower Safer for an Elderly Loved One?

The first step is scheduling a consultation with a contractor you’re considering hiring. During a consultation, Shugarman’s Bath spends 90 minutes in your home to understand your shower space and your loved one's needs. The consultation shapes your shower's look, the features you need, and where to place them.

Now that you know how Shugarman's Bath helps elderly homeowners with their tub and shower area, read our article on how to design an aging-in-place bathroom.

Not sure where to start? If you need a space that feels safe, schedule a consultation with Shugarman’s Bath so an expert can come to your home and build a plan around your needs or those of a loved one.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.