Major accessibility upgrades work best when therapists, contractors, and families plan together. Use these guides whether you are widening doors, remodeling a bathroom, or building a new accessible suite.

Home construction for accessibility

Plan accessible features before walls close in

New builds and major additions are the best time to install blocking for grab bars, wide doorways, and zero-step entries. Bring your OT or PT to the walk-through so measurements match how you will actually move after stroke.

Step 1
Before framing
Decide which bathrooms and entries must work with a walker or wheelchair — even if you are walking now.
- 32–36 in. clear width at bedroom and bath doors
- Reinforced shower walls for future grab bars
- Blocking at toilet and shower at correct height
- Plan a zero-threshold or low-curb shower pan
Step 2
Electrical & lighting
Good light reduces falls during recovery — plan switches you can reach from a chair.
- Motion or rocker switches at 42–48 in. height
- Night path lighting hall → bath
- Outlets reachable without bending
Step 3
While you still live at home
Use temporary ramps and a clear path through work zones until construction finishes.
- Mark step edges with high-contrast tape
- Keep one toilet and one shower route usable
- Store daily meds on a rolling cart

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Grab Bar Blocking & Stud Planning Kit — Home Safety (category illustration)

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Grab Bar Blocking & Stud Planning Kit

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Motion-Sensor Night Light (Pack)

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High-Contrast Floor Tape

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Wide-Clear Door Hinge (Offset) — Home Safety (category illustration)

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View home accessibility pack Shop home safety →Build my plan

Renovations while you recover

Bathroom and entry remodels without losing safety

Most stroke survivors renovate an existing bathroom or entry — not a full new build. Sequence the work so you always have a safe toilet, a way to bathe, and grab bars installed after tile, not before.

Step 1
Before demo day
Meet with your contractor and therapist on the same plan — grab bar height is not guesswork.
- OT marks grab bar locations on stud photos
- Order a temporary outdoor or bedside rinse setup
- Move meds and night light to the room you will sleep in
- Confirm commode or second toilet access
Step 2
During the remodel
Assume dust, noise, and one less bathroom. Fatigue makes balance worse — plan rest.
- Outdoor or camp shower if indoor shower is offline
- Non-slip shoes inside work zones
- Caregiver or alert button when alone
- Keep pathways free of tools and cords
Step 3
After tile & paint
Install grab bars into structure — not drywall alone. Re-test transfers before removing temp gear.
- Bolted grab bars at shower, toilet, and entry
- Hand-held shower on adjustable bar
- Transfer bench or shower chair re-fit to new tub
- Final contrast strips on new step edges

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View outdoor rinse pack Shop home safety →Build my plan

Not sure where to start? Ask your OT for a home safety evaluation before signing a contractor scope. stroke.shopping lists products — we do not perform construction or medical assessments.

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Stroke recovery: the facts

Hover a fact to see the source ↗

795,000+
people in the U.S. have a stroke every year
CDC
80%
of survivors experience some level of disability
National Stroke Assoc.
60%+
of survivors return home — but most aren't fully equipped
AHA
70%
of falls happen in the bathroom after a stroke
J. of Safety Research
40%
of caregivers say they lack the right tools
Caregiver Action Network
Better tools = better outcomes
proper equipment reduces complications and speeds recovery
AOTA