Bathtub Modifications for Seniors and Aging in Place

Why the tub wall is often the hard part

Showering in a bathtub means stepping over its side on the way in and again on the way out. For someone with stiff joints, less strength or less confidence in their footing, that step can become the part of the routine they think about most.

The height of that wall is set by the tub, not by the person using it. Taller soaker and high-profile tubs ask more of anyone stepping in than a standard tub does. That's why good planning starts with the tub itself: how tall it is, what it's made of, and whether baths still matter to anyone in the home.

What Canadian research says

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadians aged 65 and older, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, which counted 81,599 fall-related hospital stays in 2023/24 (excluding Quebec). At the same time, 80% of Canadians aged 50 and older told the National Institute on Ageing in 2024 that they want to stay in their own home for as long as they can.

Independent research supports adapting the home for people at higher risk of falling: a 2023 Cochrane review found that home hazard assessment and modification programs reduced falls in that group. Those studies did not test tub cutouts or any single product. Our research guide to bathroom falls and aging in place explains each figure, its limits and its source.

How a lower entry helps

A CleanCut modification cuts away part of the tub wall and fits a purpose-made insert in its place. The result is a lower spot to step in and out, while the tub, the shower and the rest of the bathroom stay as they are.

• The leg doesn't need to rise as high to clear the edge.
• The step has a skid-resistant surface molded into the insert.
• The routine stays familiar: same bathroom, same shower, same tub.
• A typical installation takes a few hours, so the bathroom isn't out of use for long.

A lower entry makes the step easier. It doesn't remove the step, and it is not a medical device. Anyone with specific mobility needs should follow their health professional's advice about which changes suit them.

Choosing a CleanCut product for the tub you have

How much lower the entry ends up depends on two things: how much the product removes, and how tall the tub is to begin with.

If baths still matter

Some people want an easier shower now but aren't ready to give up a soak. The Convertible's insert weighs roughly 2 pounds. It lifts out for showering and goes back in when you want to fill the tub. With the other three products, the opening is permanent. It's worth thinking about who will handle the insert day to day.

Getting the fit right

Each product also has maximum wall widths, measured at the top rail and at a set depth inside the tub. The CleanCut sizing guide shows where to measure. If a measurement is close to a limit, ask before ordering, or let an installer confirm the fit.

Changes that work well alongside a lower entry

A lower entry is one of several bathtub accessibility modifications that can work together. Three fit naturally with a CleanCut installation.

A clamp-on tub bar

The 16.5-inch clamp-on Molded Tub Bar clamps onto the side of the tub and adds a handhold for stepping in and out. Ask your installer or health professional where a handhold would help most.

A non-slip step surface

Every CleanCut insert has a skid-resistant surface molded into the step, so there's nothing extra to stick down at the point where you step in.

A curtain instead of sliding doors

Glass sliding doors have to be removed before the tub wall is cut. They are normally replaced with a shower rod and curtain. A curtain can be drawn fully to one side, leaving the lowered entry clear.

Planning ahead rather than waiting

Bathroom changes are easier to arrange when nobody is in a hurry. Starting early gives you time to measure, compare products and choose between an installer and a DIY kit without pressure.

• Measure the tub now, even if the change is a year or two away, so you know which products could fit.
• Think about everyone who uses the bathroom. If a partner or visiting grandchildren still use the tub for baths, the Convertible may suit the household.
• Look at what's around the tub. Sliding doors, jets or an existing liner (which calls for a Double Cut) all affect whether and how a tub can be modified.
• Expect needs to change. A lower entry can be one part of a wider plan for staying at home. For the bigger picture, read what aging in place means.

Involving family in the decision

It often helps to make this decision together, with a spouse, adult children or a caregiver. A few practical ways to share the work:

• Start with the person who uses the tub most. What feels hard, and what would they like to keep, such as baths?
• Have one person take measurements and photos of the tub, including the tub wall and anything around it.
• Agree on who will send the request and be the contact for the installer.
• Arrange for someone to be home during the installation if that would help.
• Bring the health professional's recommendations into the conversation, so everyone is working from the same advice.

If you're sending a request for a parent or relative, use the postal code of the home where the tub is, so coverage can be checked for that address. For a look at daily routines from a caregiver's side, see tub cut out showers and senior hygiene.

Realistic limitations to keep in mind

• There is still a step. The entry is lower, not level with the floor. Someone who can't step over any edge, or who needs to roll in, may need a different kind of shower.
• It isn't a medical device. A cutout can make getting in and out take less effort, but it can't promise to prevent slips or falls.
• Most openings are permanent. Only the Convertible keeps the option of a full bath.
• Not every tub can be modified. Clawfoot tubs can't be and jetted tubs aren't recommended. A tub with a liner can often be modified with a Double Cut, and garden-style tubs need a review first.
• Cast iron takes more work. Professional installation is recommended for cast-iron tubs.

Follow the advice of your doctor, occupational therapist or other health professional about what suits your situation. If you're weighing a cutout against a new tub with a door, see bathtub cutouts compared with walk-in tubs.

Arranging a tub conversion for seniors

Imperial Bathrooms can connect you with an independent installer experienced with CleanCut products serving the area where the tub is. Send a request on the installer request page or call 1-855-707-9777. You'll receive a response within 2 business hours, and service is confirmed for each address when the request is reviewed.

Retirement residences and care facilities can request an installer the same way, or buy kits for their own qualified maintenance staff. For the full technical picture, see the complete bathtub cutout guide.

Common questions