My Parent Can’t Step Over the Bathtub Anymore. What Are Our Options?

The good news is that there are several ways to make bathing safer. We’ll walk through the most common options and when each makes sense.

Why Bathtubs Become Unsafe as Parents Age

As people get older, even familiar bathrooms can become hazardous. Getting into a standard bathtub — whether to bathe or to shower — requires multiple coordinated movements: lifting one leg high, shifting weight mid-step, and maintaining balance on a slippery surface.

These are exactly the kinds of movements that become riskier with age due to reduced balance or leg strength, joint pain from arthritis or hip and knee issues, and slower reaction time.

Many seniors rely on a cane or walker for stability. While these aids help with walking, they’re difficult or impossible to use safely while stepping over a bathtub wall — often creating a false sense of security during one of the most dangerous moments.

Most bathroom falls happen during entry or exit, not while bathing.

What Are the Main Options When a Parent Can’t Step Over the Tub?

1. Grab Bars

Grab bars can provide helpful support, but on their own they don’t eliminate the biggest risk: stepping over a high tub wall.

Grab bars work best when:

• Balance issues are mild
• The tub wall can still be stepped over safely
• Bars are installed correctly and positioned well
  
  

For many families, grab bars are part of the solution, but not the complete answer.

2. Modifying the Existing Bathtub - Step-In Conversion

One of the most common and practical options is modifying the existing bathtub to create a low step-in entry. This is known as a step-in bathtub conversion.

Instead of replacing the tub or remodeling the bathroom, the side of the tub is carefully cut down and reinforced, allowing someone to step safely into the bathtub without lifting their leg over a high wall.

This option is often chosen because it:

• Dramatically reduces fall risk
• Can be completed in just a few hours by a seasoned installer
• Avoids plumbing, tile, or structural work
• Preserves the rest of the bathroom
• Is far more affordable than a full remodel

A step-in conversion can be used with a chair and handheld shower, or paired with a watertight cover to recreate a bathing wall when needed.

For many Long Island families, this is the fastest way to restore safety without disruption.

Call Long Island's most experienced installer to learn more about step-in conversions

3. Walk-In Tubs

Walk-in tubs replace the existing bathtub with a new unit that includes a sealed door.

They can work well for some households, but they typically:

• Require days of installation
• Involve plumbing and electrical changes
• Cost significantly more
• Require the user to sit and wait while the tub fills and drains
  
  

For families dealing with urgency, such as a recent fall, surgery, or rehab discharge, this timeline often doesn’t work.

Many people also find them uncomfortable after bathing, as they must wait for the tub to drain before exiting, often getting cold in the process.

4. Full Bathroom Remodels

A full bathroom renovation can improve safety, but it’s also:

• The most expensive option
• The most disruptive
• Often unnecessary when the main issue is tub access

Many families are surprised to learn they can significantly improve safety without tearing up the bathroom.

What Most Families Are Really Trying to Solve

When people call AB Conversions, they’re rarely asking for a specific product.

They’re asking questions like:

• “How do we keep mom safe in the bathroom?”
• “Is there something we can do quickly?”
• “We don’t want to spend $20,000 if we don’t have to - what are our options?”
• “How do we help them to stay in their home with dignity?"
  
  

That’s why many families choose a focused bathtub safety modification — it solves the immediate problem without overcorrecting.

The Most Affordable Way to Make a Bathtub Safer

In many cases, modifying the existing bathtub is the most affordable and least disruptive way to address safety concerns.

Because it:

• Uses the existing tub
• Avoids demolition and keeps plumbing intact
• Can be completed quickly
• Focuses only on what’s needed for safety
  
  

…it often costs a fraction of what a walk-in tub or full remodel would.

This approach is especially common on Long Island, where many homes have older bathrooms homeowners prefer not to disturb.

A seasoned installer like AB Conversions, which has been performing bathtub conversions since 2011, experienced on typical and challenging tubs ranging from porcelain and fiberglass to steel and jacuzzi tubs knows how to install your safety solution while keeping surrounding tile intact.

How to Make Your Bathroom as Safe as Possible

Difficulty stepping over the bathtub is a mobility issue, but it’s often made worse by trip hazards elsewhere in the bathroom. Addressing both can significantly reduce fall risk.

Here are three things you can do today:

• Improve tub access: Eliminating the need to step over a high tub wall addresses the most dangerous moments: getting in and out.
  
• Keep floors clear: Remove loose rugs and avoid leaving towels or clothing on the floor. Install hooks or bars for towels and clothing, and use a hamper or basket to keep items off the floor.
  
• Add non-slip surfaces: Slippery tubs and wet floors increase risk. AB Conversions uses Aquagrip, a marine-grade non-slip surface designed for wet, high-risk environments. We take safety seriously!
  
  

We also take affordability seriously. AB Conversions’ step-in bathtub conversions start at $1,795, making them one of the most affordable ways to significantly reduce fall risk.

When Should You Act?

You should consider making changes as soon as:

• A parent hesitates before getting into the tub
• Someone needs help lifting a leg over the tub wall
• There’s been a recent slip, fall, or near-miss
• Surgery or rehab discharge is approaching
  
  

Waiting often means reacting after an injury, when decisions are harder and timelines are tighter.

If your parent can’t step over the bathtub anymore, you have a safety issue on your hands. A bathroom fall can lead to injury, hospitalization, or a sudden loss of independence.

Why Long Island Families Trust AB Conversions

AB Conversions has been serving Long Island families since 2011 and is a local company, not a franchise. All work is completed by the same experienced craftsman using a proven process refined over thousands of installations. The company is licensed and insured, maintains an A+ BBB rating, and follows ADA and National Safety Council safety guidelines.



Frequently Asked Questions

What are signs a senior can no longer bathe safely?

Common signs include difficulty stepping over the tub, needing physical assistance to enter or exit, fear of slipping, or avoiding bathing altogether. Near-falls or hesitation before getting into the tub are also warning signs.

What is the fastest way to make a bathtub safer?

Modifying the existing bathtub to allow step-in access is often the fastest option. In many cases, the installation can be completed in a single visit without remodeling the bathroom.

Are grab bars enough to prevent falls?

Grab bars can help with stability, but they don’t eliminate the biggest risk: stepping over a high tub wall. Many falls occur during entry or exit, even when grab bars are present.

What is the most affordable bathtub safety solution?

In many cases, modifying the existing bathtub is the most affordable option because it avoids demolition, plumbing changes, or replacing the tub entirely.

How much does a bathtub conversion cost?

The cost of a bathtub conversion depends on the type of tub and any additional safety features added.  AB Conversions prides itself on affordability (hey, it’s in our name!) and our step-in bathtub conversions start at $1,795. This is significantly less than a walk-in tub or a full bathroom remodel, which can cost many thousands of dollars and take days or weeks to complete.

Can a bathtub be made safer without remodeling the bathroom?

Yes. Many bathtub safety modifications can be completed without removing tile, plumbing, or fixtures, allowing the bathroom to remain fully functional during and after installation.

How quickly can bathtub safety modifications be done on Long Island?

Depending on availability, some modifications can be scheduled and completed within days. The installation itself takes just a couple of hours.

Is a bathtub conversion safer than a walk-in tub?

Both options improve safety, but step-in bathtub conversions are often preferred when time, affordability, and minimal disruption are priorities. Walk-in tubs typically require longer installation and higher costs.

Will a bathtub conversion leak or damage my tile?

A properly installed conversion should not leak or damage your bathroom. AB Conversions uses high-quality, injection-molded components and a precise cutting and sealing process designed to protect your tub and tile. Installations are backed by a leak-prevention guarantee, and the bathroom is left clean and intact.

Will improving bathtub safety help a parent stay in their home longer?

Yes. Improving bathroom safety is one of the most effective ways to support aging in place and reduce the risk of injuries that can lead to hospitalization or loss of independence.