I agree with the wipe down practice. Takes a quick minute daily, following the last shower. Walls, fixtures, niche, grab bar. Make sure you get the caulk at the bottom and in the side corners. I never have to "clean" my shower any longer. Except for the every several month shower pan cleaning. Might be more often if I wasn't the only one using the shower though. I don't go barefoot so I don't bring in dirty feet into the shower pan.

Narrow diameter is better, huh?

Wiping down ... yeah, it's good practice, but even with a concerted effort I'd only do it half the time ... and my husband would never do it. I know, I know, not admirable, but truthful.

I thought it was kind of crazy too but I think it was Linelle and Enduring's posts that made me a believer. When DH spent 9 months 'delivering' my dream bathroom I figured I aught to try my part to take care of it as best I could.

I am busy (aren't we all!) and in the summer I shower twice a day, and bathe the kids as well. I don't always wipe it down every time, but I try to do it more often than not. It really has made maintenance so much easier. It has been in use for a year and a half and I've never had any mold anywhere and no build up to have to descale.

Seriously try it, try it Sam-I-am!

I think the grab bars that are typical consumer bars, like Kohler, Moen, etc are about the same diameter. I have seen smaller ones, but only online. If someone had small hands the very big ones would be a problem. Such as children and petite women.

Part of the problem may be if there is an escutcheon that covers the plate with the screws ... my opinion is that the escutcheon should not be caulked in place to allow water that pools under it to drain freely and completely.

For smaller grab bars look at "assist bars"; they don't meet the definition of grab bars because they are a smaller diameter than the standard. This is one we put into our new shower and it is much nicer looking. Water drains out of the lower escutcheon for only a minute or two because it is not sealed. It is by Delta and available at Home Depot: Delta Traditional Curved Assist Bar

I have seen smaller ones, but only online. If someone had small hands
the very big ones would be a problem. Such as children and petite women.

Mine are big, fat grab bars ... I'm going to search out smaller bars.

Part of the problem may be if there is an escutcheon that covers the plate with the screws

No, no, the water is puddling under the bar itself, not the escutcheon plate.

For smaller grab bars look at "assist bars"; they don't meet the
definition of grab bars because they are a smaller diameter than the
standard.

Wait a minute ... grab bars and assist bars are different items? I didn't know that. The Delta assist bar you reference above is attractive and is the type of thing I'd like to use. Is an assist bar shorter than a grab bar? I'm thinking a shorter bar would be just fine near the toilet, but we'd still want a long bar across the back of the shower. Regardless, I'm glad to know a second term for which to search.

I did read one thing that reverberated with me: A grab /assist bar is only as good as its mounting. I'm thinking a shorter /more narrow bar is just as good, assuming it's in the right spot where you can reach it ... if it's well-mounted.

"Assist" and "grab" are different items. I think "assist bars" came into being because they are not ADA compliant because of the diameter, and the manufacturers don't want people confused.

We used Moen faucets and valves but Delta's line of assist bars. The images show the curved assist bar, shower assist bar that comes with the handheld shower, and a toilet paper holder. Mounting into a stud is strongly recommended for these, although the toilet paper holder is mounted into a stud on one side and then a molly bolt (supplied by Delta in the package) for the other side. The molly bolt is still rated for 200 pounds, and it feels very sturdy.

Frank, I think you've convinced me of the value of these Delta assist bars. Thanks.

Those are the same ones my parents have! I should have taken pics when I was there, but overall they integrate into the space and provide helpful function.