What an aging-in-place bathroom remodel in Fort Collins includes
Aging in place means a bathroom you can keep using as balance, strength or mobility change, without moving out. The work ranges from an afternoon of grab bars to a rebuilt room. The order of priority is almost always the same: get rid of the step into the bathing area, give the person somewhere to sit and something solid to hold, and make the room easy to see and move in.
- A low-curb or curbless shower in place of a tub, with a built-in or fold-down seat.
- A hand shower on a slide bar that also works as a grab point.
- Grab bars at the shower entry, inside the shower and beside the toilet, set into blocking.
- A comfort-height toilet and, where space allows, room for a helper or a walker beside it.
- A wider door, or a pocket door, so the opening isn't blocked by the swing.
- Slip-resistant floor tile and lighting with a low night light for trips after dark.
Measurements designers use
Homes don't have to meet the federal ADA standards, but designers use them as a reference: the 2010 ADA Standards set grab bars 33 to 36 inches above the floor with a gripping surface 1-1/4 to 2 inches across, and a roll-in shower at 30 by 60 inches. A curbless shower with a bench is the version most homes can fit; the walk-in shower page covers the floor work.
Who pays for what
Most aging-in-place work is paid out of pocket, but specific programs help some households. Apply before the work starts: the VA's HISA application asks for an itemized estimate and a photo of the area as it is now, and Health First Colorado routes requests through a case manager.
| Source | Pays? | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare | No | Grab bars, bath seats, raised toilet seats and tub lifts are denied as not primarily medical |
| Medicare Advantage | Sometimes | Plans may offer bathroom safety devices and an in-home safety check as a supplemental benefit |
| VA HISA grant | Up to $6,800 or $2,000 | Lifetime limit; roll-in showers and bathroom access; VA Form 10-0103 |
| Health First Colorado home modification | Up to $14,000 | Lifetime maximum on certain waivers; through a case manager |
Sources: CMS national coverage determination 280.1 (DME reference list); CMS Medicare Managed Care Manual, chapter 4; VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, HISA; Health First Colorado Home Modification benefit. Program rules change; confirm with each program.
Prefer to keep bathing? Compare a walk-in tub. Converting the tub is detailed on tub to shower conversion, a larger rebuild on primary bathroom remodel, and the fee steps on the Fort Collins permit guide.
