It's kind of you to install the grab bars. A new shower curtain and new paint could be a good update. Light blue is a classic choice to go well with beige and tan tile.

As for more serious work: Have you talked to her to see if she wants contractors in her home right now?

What a sweet gesture. I would rethink the giallo ornamental granite. The tile appears to have a peachy undertone and I think that it will look really busy and possibly clash with existing tile. .

I think money could be better spent than crown moulding. Is she able to get in and out of that tub? I feel like that could be an accident waiting to happen based on its height and depth. Even with grab bars. To me the tile overwhelms the bathroom and really more than anything else in it dates it. I would consider pulling it and keeping it off the walls. What other colors does she have in her bedroom that you can bring into the bathroom?

@Patricia Colwell Consulting the bathroom itself is 10x15 and the shower is 4x6 (layout attached). The layout shows grab bars but at the time her home was built she did not want them (she's a prideful little lady). Grab bars can be installed after the placement of tile with wings but I will ensure the follow the manufactures directions for installation.

@apple_pie_order thank you for your suggestion and concern. Her nephew is a general contractor so there would not be many people in her home. I'm responsible for purchasing and he installs.

@Design Interior South is there another granite you would recommend, I still have time to change if need be. She has a difficult time getting out of the tub (which is what started this endeavor) and my resolution to that was to install a horizontal grab bar to the unseen partial knee wall (don't know if that's the correct term) but the wall in image 1 that has the linen closet. We did a dry run and it appears it will help the issue.

DH and I are "seniors" and we remodeled our bathroom this year. We had a tub/shower combination and found that neither of us could get in the tub safely even with grab bars. So we took out the tub and put in a shower with a low curb. Added a movable bench like your granny's and it is perfect for us. We have 2 vertical grab bars...one on the left as you get in the shower and one on the back wall of the shower. We do not miss the tub at all. You can get "walk in" tubs but for us having to wait for the water to come in while in the tub and then wait for the water to drain out again, just didn't work for us.

Thank you for posting the floor plan the pics are deceiving.

@erinsean thank you so much for the feedback. We were actually discussing a 24" vertical AND 24" horizontal today for the shower. I do not want to take away her tub just yet in fear it will make her feel inadequate. We are slowly trying to integrate these safety measures in hopes of gran gran embracing her limitations but its taking longer because she's not vocal about it.

Is there enough lighting in the bathroom? Light(s) in the shower? For that size shower I like to do two 4" recessed lights.

GranGran is getting up in years. She and I are in the same boat, I’ve had two knee replacements and there is no way I can get out of a soaker bathtub if I get into one on purpose unless it’s a tub/shower combo. Grab-bar handles would not help me because I have to get on my knees to get out of a tub. I gave up on a tub years ago. I have a beautiful tile shower with a low step-over entry, a nice seat, and an adjustable-height hand-held wand I can set on vertical bar. Her entry seems to be no-stepover, and may be wide enough for a roll-in for a wheelchair if that is in her future. You can replace that tub with a walk-in tub with a built-in seat. She would step in, close the entry door and sit down while the tub fills. Then she would drain the tub before she steps back out. Consult with her on her desires. If she can get in and out of the tub using safety bars, good for her. If she is beginning to be concerned about getting in or out safely, take her to look at walk-in tubs. One fall in a porcelain tub could be the end of her independence or her life.

Following

Your gran is lucky to have your concern and help. Make sure shower floor is slip proof.

Thank you all for the feedback.

I am not in a position to remove or take down the entire tiled wall so I have to make it work as is whether the solution is painting above the tile or adding in a notched chair rail to break up the transition from tile to paint, etc.

Does anyone have feedback on these Sherwin William colors? Am I way off on my color selections?

Balance Beige or Realist Beige

Heavily leaning towards Colonial Cream or Kashmir Cream granite counters instead of the Giallo

My mom is 96 so just quickly thought this could help. Not sure if possible with tiles in front of tub, but you may be able to have section cut out and an insert installed. They did this for my mom but it was in a regular tub. A vertical and Horizontal grab bar in both shower and tub.

In regards to updates, I would paint the bathroom white as the cabinets and tile make it dark. I would change the mirrors or paint them white, as well as the cabinet sitting on counter If counter is in good shape I would leave. Change hardware and door handle to match faucet. Add a bench if there is room.

No need for crown moulding but if lighting is not attractive or bright enough that could make a big impact.

Pretty towels with a complimentary shower curtain, no bath mat and some botanical prints, all of which will make her feel special - a pretty, feminine oasis.

Maureen, where are those pictures from? Also does your mom find it chilly to sit and wait for tub to drain before getting out? I guess a towel warmer would help :)

Chantay99, you can now get some very nice looking grab bars that are certified, be sure you check them out as sounds like Gran would appreciate the nice looking bars :)

You are being very kind!

Here are my thoughts (I'm "senior-real" and designed my new bathroom).Maybe some of these are beyond the original scope of your question, but since you're upgrading the room....

1. All fixtures should have levers that run the hot and the cold water mixed. Definitely no taps. It's hard for stiff fingers to manage stuff that twists, and too easy to run the water all hot instead of a mix. Safety issue.

The other problem with taps is that we now have to pay double attention to cleanliness. You go from wiping to putting your hands on taps that often have nooks and crevices for decorative purposes.

2. There should be no knobs on cabinets. Stiff fingers can't fasten around knobs. D-shaped pulls are generally recommended.

3. I see upthread there's a reference to "Walk-in" tubs, but they are a serious tripping hazard because they have deep curbs. They are mis-named. They're actually step-over. They sound great on TV, but consider sitting chilled while it's filling and again while it's emptying. All kinds of no.

4. The shower looks great because it's curbless, but dark. Put an overhead light in the shower. In lieu of an overhead light, use a clear shower curtain liner instead of a regular curtain. This will let in light from the main bathroom fixtures.

5. Make sure the floor of the shower doesn't get slick. You might have to treat it with something or other, 'cos I wouldn't recommend one of those rubber mats or sticky things, since they're easy to trip on.

6. You need to have grab bars alongside the toilet. This is gonna be tricky 'cos the toilet is not near a wall. They do make grab bars that go perpendicular to a wall, but this is complicated, and you have a swinging closet door right there and entrance access, so this will take extra thought..

7. Is the toilet the "comfort height" variety? I hate this height, but a lot of people really like it, 'cos they don't have to squat so much and it's easier to haul themselves back up. You might ask your gran gran what height she prefers.

8. Consider lowering the mirrors, so they're easier to see if you shrink.

9. Even if it's difficult, I think you have to have the discussion with gran gran about the tub sooner rather than later. Every time she uses it, there's a HIGH risk for a catastrophe. Since you already have a curbless shower, you could consider putting extra built-in storage where the tub is now. Seniors often need to accumulate a lot of personal hygiene products, and it would be nice to have them discreetly behind closed doors.

10. Consider a hand-held shower head/handle if you don't have one already.

11. They make "bars" that are built in to shower fixtures, like the on-off lever, soap ledge, etc.

One thing that hasn't come up? Get a plant! I have a pothos that doesn't care how dark the bathroom is. It's nice to have something alive.

I provided the incorrect example; it resembles picture below and is safer then a regular side (along with two hand rails). My mom sat on a chair and used a sprayer.

When I suggested for your mom I had the same idea in mind, but doesn’t make sense when she has a shower stall with a curtain to keep the warmth in and a chair.

My brother was telling me that American Standard has designed a new tub in which the water drains much faster to eliminate the wait time and getting cold before the door can be opened.

If you aren’t able to install a safety tub, using the shower for now is highly recommended, if her mobility and balance are poor. You could install a handle near toilet if there is room, but even better my mom has a unit that sits on the seat which brings the height up for easier use and has handles on either side. It took her a while to accept, as it was one more reminder of her failing health and her pride took a hit.

FYI: I found the pictures on Pinterest.

It’s special that you can provide a safe and lovely environment for her.

@Maureen It looks like the tub in the photo has a barrier to step over and no door? It's that barrier you have to step over that's so worrisome IMO. It's easy to miscalculate, legs get stiff, and that's a large step, even if it's lower than a regular tub.

It's that feature of the "walk-in" tub that is problematic IMO. The cold thing is merely inconvenient, but having to step over even a low barrier to get into it, well, that's just plain unsafe, like anything that can result in tripping.

I determined in my mid-50's, even though agile, that I would never again have a tripping hazard in my bathroom. Currently, I don't even have a tub of any kind: not worth it. Unacceptable risk for me. I live alone, and a trip is a potential catastrophe. Bathrooms are the most common area in a home for serious injury.

Fantastic that @chantay99 has a curbless shower already.

@tangerinedoor. The idea was more of a temporary solution, but doesn’t make sense if her mom is already that unsteady, so she would be better off in the shower until a true safety tub is potentially installed. In regards to the lip, I think it’s a better alternative for people that don’t have an option. My mom is 96 and negotiated the lip for 4 years without any issues and used safety handles. Ironically my mom fell two weeks ago and broke her ankle on her way to the washroom!