DH is presently in a skilled nsg. facility. He should be discharged soon and wanted to have a shower grab installed and wondered if anyone has any advise as to what is best - one suction mounted or permanently installed. What about a shower bench. Kind of hate to drill into the tile.
You can get decent ones at Home Depot. Make sure you get something that won't rust. I'd suggest one that is longer, rather than shorter...don't worry about drilling into the tile, but you do want to have the screws into the studs, if possible. I've had grab bars in the shower in our last two houses, and they're helpful whether you're disabled or not. You can hold onto if you're trying to scrub one foot, or just for general security, like if you're washing your hair and your eyes are closed, and you want to turn around...nice to have something to hold...also can serve as a spare washrag or towel holder...and you never know when you'll have elderly relatives over to the house...or if you or someone else sustains a sports injury. When we renovated the NY bathroom in 2005, the contractors said it was common for people to put in grab bars and other handicapped-friendly features, even if they didn't really need them for themselves yet. Don't get the suction mounted ones for the wall, unless you just have absolutely no other choice. They are only for a little steadying, and a demented person might not remember that. The suction mounted ones that hook onto the side of the tub for getting in and out may be OK for that purpose.
Have a physical therapy consult regarding the best tub bench, as there is a lot of variation. You probably are going to want PT to show you how to use it, so you can show the aide, if nothing else. They may be able to order it for you and have it in place before he comes home. Try to actually go down to the PT department, and see what they are using...or have them come up to his room to demonstrate in his bathroom...whatever. They'll probably ask you if the faucets are to his left or his right stepping into your tub at home.
And make sure the bottom of your tub at home is non-slip. Get those little stick-ons if nothing else. (Where is my mind today--been over-dosing on cookie dough! lol)
One thing I learned from my late mother is if you are installing a fiberglass shower enclosure, it's better to get one without a built-in seat These built-in shower enclosures often have benches (usually they are in the corner) that are too low for people with knee problems to sit on and they also take up room that you will need for a portable bench of the correct height.
We've used a variety of things in the last few years. I second the recommendation that you not use the suction-mounted grab bars, if at all possible. The ones we had tended to fall off the wall at regular intervals, even if they were not being used. When we had a bathtub, we had one of the u-shaped grab bars that fits over the side of the tub. It was a big help for DH.
A couple of things about the bath bench. We got one with a back, which really helped. Also, it had an armrest that you could put on either side, depending on which direction your bath controls are, so you had something else to help get up and down. (Both the back and the armrest help keep someone from sliding off the bench if they move too far.) Also, the bench we got had a removable extension. You could either use just the regular bench part, with just the seat, back and arm rest. Or if you put the extension on, it was wide enough to sit down on before you got into the tub, which helped with transport. If you have a big shower, it does help to have the extension so the seat is wider, and feels more secure.
We live in a handicapped apartment now, and the bathroom has grab bars practically all the way around the room, including the shower. The shower here has a fold-down bench permanently attached to the wall. I find the bath bench better, because it can be moved to exactly the right location.
This bathroom has a taller commode, too, which is also helpful. And yes, a hand shower really helps.
We have 3 grab bars, permanently installed - one on the inside wall, on at the end of the tub, and another outside the tub, slanted, as you step out. They really helped my husband, and I even use them now. I don't consider them an eyesore at all. And the hand shower was a necessity. Good luck.
We used the grab bars with the suction mount. I bought them at a medical supply/ pharmacy. I did have to check them to be sure they were holding and occasionally had to reset them but they worked very well. I still use one of them in the shower.
I use suction cup grab bars but my wife didn't need them and I sometimes use them. It is important to get a well rated one and to reattach them once a week since they will loose their grip over time.
I ended up having two permanently installed grab bars put in. My handyman checked and found the suction mounted bars were only recommended if you needed to steady yourself, not to grab onto if you were falling. Haven't decided about a shower bench yet as our shower is a bit on the small side. I'll see how he does.