Updated October 2026

A few well-placed grab bars and handrails can make a home safer and easier to get around for everyone, whether you’re recovering from surgery, planning ahead, or helping a loved one stay comfortable at home. Here’s how to get them installed properly in Cobourg, Port Hope and across Northumberland County, and which programs may help with the cost.

Local grab bar and accessibility installers

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Where grab bars help most

• At the tub or shower entrance, to hold while stepping in and out
• Inside the shower, for balance while standing or turning
• Beside the toilet, to help with sitting down and standing up
• On stairs, with sturdy handrails on both sides if possible
• At entrances, especially steps that get icy in winter

Other upgrades that make home easier

• A walk-in shower, or a tub cut-out that lowers the step into the tub
• A handheld shower head and a shower seat or bench
• A raised toilet seat or comfort-height toilet
• Lever-style door handles and taps, which are easier on the hands
• Brighter lighting and night lights in hallways and bathrooms
• Ramps, stairlifts or platform lifts for bigger changes

Not sure what you need? An occupational therapist can assess your home and recommend the right equipment and where to put it. Ask your doctor or health care provider about a referral.

Programs that may help with costs

Home Accessibility Tax Credit (federal)

If someone in your home is 65 or older, or eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, you may be able to claim up to $20,000 a year in eligible renovation expenses, such as grab bars, walk-in showers, handrails and wider doorways. It’s claimed on line 31285 of your tax return. Keep your invoices and receipts, and check with the Canada Revenue Agency or a tax professional about your situation.

Home and Vehicle Modification Program (Ontario)

Funded by the Province of Ontario and run by March of Dimes Canada, this program helps eligible Ontario residents with a mobility disability and limited household income pay for home changes like ramps, stairlifts and bathroom modifications. Visit the Government of Ontario program page for details and how to apply.

Northumberland Renovates (local)

Northumberland County and Habitat for Humanity Northumberland have offered accessibility grants and home repair help to low-income homeowners through the Northumberland Renovates program. Intake periods open and close, so contact Habitat for Humanity Northumberland to ask whether it’s currently accepting applications.

10 questions to ask before you hire

1. Have you installed grab bars or accessibility features before?
2. Are you insured?
3. Will you anchor the bars into studs, and what do you use when there’s no stud?
4. Can you install on tile without cracking it, and will you seal around the bar?
5. Where do you recommend placing each bar for the person using it?
6. Do you supply the grab bars, or should I buy them?
7. Will I get a written quote with everything included?
8. Will you give me itemized receipts I can keep for tax purposes?
9. How soon can you come, and how long will the job take?
10. Can you give me a few local references?

Frequently asked questions

Can I install grab bars myself?

It’s possible if you’re handy, but grab bars must be anchored securely enough to hold a person’s full weight. Finding studs and drilling through tile can be tricky, so many people choose a professional installer for peace of mind.

Can a towel bar be used as a grab bar?

No. Towel bars aren’t designed or anchored to support your weight and can pull out of the wall. Suction-cup bars are not meant to support your full weight either.

Is there a tax credit for grab bars in Canada?

Yes. Grab bars can be an eligible expense under the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit if the home is for someone aged 65 or older, or someone eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. Keep your receipts and check with the Canada Revenue Agency or a tax professional.

Who can help me decide what I need?

An occupational therapist can assess your home and recommend the right equipment and placement. Ask your doctor or health care provider about a referral.

Sources: H&R Block Canada: Home Accessibility Tax Credit; Government of Ontario: Home and Vehicle Modification Program; Northumberland County: Northumberland Renovates. This page is general information, not tax, medical or financial advice. Program details can change, so check with each program directly. Listing a business in our directory is not an endorsement.