The day I had to choose between a walk-in tub and a regular bathtub for my mom

My mom is 72 and has been having trouble getting in and out of our old tub. I had to pick between a walk-in tub that cost $3,500 and a regular bathtub with a grab bar for $800. I went with the grab bar option since it was way cheaper and easier to install. Turns out she actually prefers it because she can still take a quick shower standing up. Has anyone else dealt with remodeling for an aging parent and regretted going with the cheaper fix?

2 comments

2 Comments

william_jackson651mo ago

People make such a huge deal out of aging parent remodeling like it's some life or death decision. Your mom is 72 and can still stand up to shower, so all you really did was bolt a metal bar to the wall for 800 bucks. My grandmother took baths in a plastic lawn chair in the tub until she was 85 because she refused to let anyone spend money on her. I see these 3,500 dollar walk in tubs and just think about how much that money could go toward actual care or hiring someone to help her for a year. If she's happy and safe, who cares if it was cheap?

carr.gavin1mo ago

Gotta admit, you kind of changed my mind here. I was all in on the fancy walk in tubs and full bathroom remodels, but you're right that a simple grab bar or a shower chair does the job for way less. My mom's 68 and still pretty spry, and now I'm thinking a $50 bar and a hand held shower head might be all she really needs for awhile.