HELPFUL GUIDES
A clearer next step.
Straightforward answers for homeowners and the family members helping them.
What does grab bar installation cost?
The price depends on the work behind the bar as well as the bar itself. Ask for a quote that separates equipment, installation and any wall preparation.
Read the guide FOR FAMILIESHelping a parent stay in the home they know.
Start with the everyday task your parent wants to make easier. A conversation about the shower, stairs or front door is more useful than arriving with a shopping list of equipment.
Read the guide BATHROOM SAFETYStart with the part of the bathroom that is difficult.
Getting over the tub edge, standing at the toilet and reaching the shower controls are different tasks. The right change should address the person’s actual difficulty.
Read the guide PLANNING A RETURN HOMEPlan the home changes before the return home.
When someone is coming home from hospital, there may be equipment to arrange and installation work to complete. Use the discharge team’s recommendations to define the job.
Read the guide FROM RECOMMENDATION TO INSTALLATIONTurn the recommendation into a clear installation plan.
An occupational therapist’s recommendation can help define what equipment is needed and how it should be used. The next step is checking what the home needs for installation.
Read the guide FUNDING & PAPERWORKCheck funding before you commit to the work.
Some Alberta programs may help eligible people with home adaptations. The type of assistance, eligibility and approval process differ, so start with the program’s current information.
Read the guide COST & PLANNINGWhat does handrail installation cost in Calgary?
A straight indoor wall rail, a rail on garage steps and an exterior rail are different jobs. Compare the work behind the price before deciding which quote fits your home.
Read the guide COST & PLANNINGWhat does threshold ramp fitting cost?
The useful comparison is the full doorway job: the ramp, fitting, any alterations and the route around it. A low product price does not tell you whether it will work at the entrance.
Read the guide BATHROOM QUESTIONSGetting out of the bathtub has become difficult.
The awkward part may be standing up, crossing the tub edge or finding a reliable handhold. Describe that part first. It helps separate a useful installation from a product that does not address the problem.
Read the guide BATHROOM QUESTIONSFinding it harder to stand up from the toilet?
The answer may involve where a person can hold, the equipment around the toilet or the room layout. Start with the difficulty and the person's preferences before ordering a support.
Read the guide STAIRS & ENTRYWould a second stair handrail help?
If the existing rail is on the awkward side or support is missing in one direction, a second rail may be worth discussing. It still has to fit the stair and the person using it.
Read the guide BATHROOM QUESTIONSCan you install grab bars in a tiled shower?
Often, yes. The tile is the surface you can see, while the structure behind it determines much of the installation. A useful quote addresses both.
Read the guide BATHROOM QUESTIONSShower chair or wall-mounted seat?
The useful choice depends on the person, the shower and how they get in and out. Compare the installation and space requirements before deciding which product looks best.
Read the guide BATHROOM QUESTIONSDo you need a walk-in shower or smaller bathroom changes?
A tub that is hard to use can make a full renovation seem like the obvious next step. First identify which part of bathing needs to change and what the person will need from the room.
Read the guide HOME & FAMILYA home safety checklist for the routes you use every day.
Walk through the home with the person who lives there. Start at the entrance, then follow their usual route to the bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. Write down what is difficult before choosing products.
Read the guide