Renovated my parents’ main bathroom in their 1971 Toronto home last year to help them age in place. Mom uses a walker, dad has had two hip replacements. Sharing what we did and what it cost.
The Assessment Process
Started with a home assessment from a certified aging-in-place specialist (CAPS designation - Certified Aging in Place Specialist). Cost: $350 for a 2-hour assessment with written recommendations. Well worth it - they identified things we wouldn’t have thought of.
Key Recommendations
- Remove tub, create barrier-free roll-in shower (primary recommendation)
- Replace standard toilet with comfort-height 18-inch toilet
- Install grab bars at toilet and throughout shower (with proper blocking)
- Install fold-down shower bench
- Replace single-control shower valve with thermostatic (prevents accidental scalding - a real safety issue for seniors)
What We Did
The bathroom was a full gut renovation:
- Remove tub, retile entire bathroom
- Build barrier-free shower (32x48 inches, tile walls, teak fold-down bench)
- Schluter Kerdi waterproofing throughout shower
- Install Moen M-PACT thermostatic valve (set to max 49C)
- Comfort-height Kohler Cimarron toilet (17.5 inch)
- 4 grab bars: 1 beside toilet, 3 in shower (all into blocking pre-installed by contractor)
- New vanity (lower counter height, knee clearance potential below right side)
- LVP flooring throughout (replaced slippery tile, easier underfoot)
- Pocket door (replaced swing door that was awkward with walker)
Cost
Full bathroom renovation: $32,000
CAPS assessment: $350
Total: $32,350
Tax Credits
We received the Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC): 15% on up to $20,000 of eligible expenses = up to $3,000 credit on federal taxes.
My parents are still in the home 18 months later and managing independently. The shower was the single most impactful change - the tub was genuinely unsafe.