Bathroom Aids for the Elderly: 6 Accessories That Improve Safety
This article was first published on: June 16, 2020 by Jon Pearce
Last updated: July 21, 2026
As we get older, everyday tasks like bathing can start to carry more risk, and the bathroom is one of the most common places for a fall to happen at home. The good news is that a few well-chosen aids can make a real difference. Grab rails, support frames and anti-slip features can help people with reduced mobility maintain their independence while making the bathroom a safer place to use.
Below are our six recommended bathroom accessories for elderly and disabled people. These simple additions offer extra stability, lower the likelihood of slips and falls, and help you focus on enjoying your bath or shower rather than worrying about getting in and out safely.
The six bathroom aids at a glance
- Foldaway shower seat – a wall-mounted seat for safer seated showering
- Slip-resistant mat – grip underfoot where water collects
- Grab bars – extra handholds by the bath and toilet
- Bath step – reduces the height you need to step over
- Long-handled body brush – reach without bending or twisting
- Toilet frame – support when sitting down and standing up
Here’s a closer look at each one, who it suits, and what to check before you buy.
1. Foldaway shower seat: safer seated showering
Standing for the length of a shower can become tiring or unsteady over time, which is one reason many people move to a walk-in shower or walk-in bath. A foldaway shower seat is a natural companion to either.
It mounts to the wall and folds flat when it isn’t needed, so it suits smaller bathrooms and shared family use. You can choose models with fold-down arms and support legs for extra stability, and a padded seat for comfort.
Who it suits: anyone who finds standing for long periods of time difficult, including people recovering from surgery.
What to check: the seat’s maximum user weight, whether your wall can take a fixed fitting, and the seat height relative to the user.
2. Slip-resistant mat: grip where water collects
Wet, smooth floors are one of the main causes of bathroom falls. A slip-resistant mat is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to reduce that risk.
Place a mat inside the bath or shower, in front of the toilet, or anywhere water tends to pool. Some mats add mildew resistance depending on the material, which keeps them hygienic for longer.
Who it suits: almost everyone, as a low-cost first step toward a safer bathroom.
What to check: that the suction grips suit your floor or bath surface, and that the mat is the right size for the space.
3. Grab bars: extra handholds by the bath and toilet
Lowering into and rising out of the bath puts strain on the body and is a common moment for a loss of balance. Grab bars give you a firm handhold exactly where you need one.
They’re inexpensive and straightforward to fit, both by the bath and around the toilet for extra grip. They help with balance day to day and give you something solid to hold if you do slip. For more on adapting a bathroom fully, see our guide to disabled bathrooms.
Who it suits: anyone who feels unsteady getting in or out of the bath, or on or off the toilet.
What to check: that bars are fixed into a solid wall or stud rather than tile alone, and that the grip texture works for wet hands.
4. Bath step: reduce the height you step over
The height of a bath rim can be a real obstacle, particularly for people living with dementia or a visual impairment, where judging distance is harder. A bath step lowers the distance you need to lift your leg, making the bath easier and safer to enter.
It grips firmly to the floor and gives a stable platform to step onto, and it works well alongside grab bars for added support.
Who it suits: people who find the height of the bath rim difficult, including those with dementia or sight loss.
What to check: the step’s grip on your floor type, its weight limit, and whether a slip-resistant top surface is included.
5. Long-handled body brush: wash without bending or twisting
Once you’re safely in the bath or shower, washing itself can be awkward if bending and reaching are painful. A long-handled body brush closes that gap.
Options include brushes with bendable handles for people with arthritis and curved designs for anyone recovering from a shoulder or neck injury. Some have soap inserts so you can lather without leaning over, which also reduces the chance of an off-balance slip.
Who it suits: people with limited reach, arthritis, or recovery from upper-body injury.
What to check: handle length and grip, and whether the brush head is replaceable.
6. Toilet frame: support when sitting and standing
Lowering onto and rising from a toilet seat loads the knees and hips, which can be painful and unsteady. A toilet frame takes some of that effort by giving you arms to push up from, moving the strain off your joints and onto the frame.
Many models offer height-adjustable handles, adjustable widths and moulded seats, so you can set the frame up to suit the user.
Who it suits: anyone who struggles to sit down or stand up from the toilet unaided.
What to check: that the frame fits around your toilet, the adjustable height range, and the maximum user weight.
Frequently asked questions
What bathroom aids are best for elderly people? The most useful starting points are grab bars by the bath and toilet, a slip-resistant mat, and a shower seat. These cover the moments when most falls happen: stepping in and out, standing while washing, and sitting down or getting up. A toilet frame and bath step help further if balance or joint pain is a particular concern.
Can I fit grab bars myself? You can, but they must be fixed into something solid, such as a wall stud or a reinforced surface, rather than into tile alone. A bar that pulls loose is more dangerous than no bar at all. If you’re not sure the wall can take the load, ask a professional fitter.
What’s the best non-slip mat for a bath or shower? Look for a mat with strong suction grips suited to your surface and, ideally, mildew resistance so it stays hygienic. Make sure it’s sized to cover the area where you stand.
Are these accessories suitable for someone with dementia? Several are, particularly a bath step and grab bars, which reduce the height and distance involved and give clear, stable points of support. Clear contrast between the aid and the surrounding surface can also help with judging distance.
Where can I get advice on adapting a whole bathroom? If you’re considering a larger change, a walk-in shower or walk-in bath may suit you better than individual aids alone. You can request a free brochure or design quote to talk through the options.
