In this video, Mary shares why the couple decided to replace their elevated "space shuttle" shower, what they learned during the remodeling process, and how their new walk-in shower helps them feel safer and more confident about aging in place.
For Mary and Rick, retirement wasn't about slowing down.
After careers in federal service and the military, they purchased a unique log home in southern Colorado and began transforming it into the place they hoped to enjoy for years to come.
But one feature of the home remained untouched longer than it should have: a massive, elevated shower that had become part conversation piece, part daily safety concern.
"It was about two feet off the floor," Mary explained. "We actually had to use a step stool every day to get in and out of the shower."
At first, it seemed like an inconvenience.
Eventually, they realized it was something much more serious.
For many homeowners, moments like this create an uncomfortable realization: the home that once felt perfectly functional may no longer support the way they want to live in the years ahead.
Mary and Rick weren't worried about style or resale value. They were thinking about something far more important. Whether they could continue living independently in the home they had worked so hard to create.
That's a question more homeowners face every year as they plan for retirement and aging in place.
Many homeowners assume they'll know when it's time to remodel a bathroom.
Sometimes the signs are cosmetic: outdated tile, worn fixtures, or a design that feels stuck in another decade.
Other times, the signs are more important.
For Mary and Rick, the issue wasn't appearance.
It was safety.
The existing shower was loaded with features.
"It had disco lights, steam, a built-in radio—you could even hook your phone up to it," Mary said.
Friends and family affectionately called it "the space shuttle."
But despite all the bells and whistles, the reality was that every shower required climbing onto a step stool and stepping over a high threshold.
"As we got older, we felt that was dangerous."
And that's where many Colorado homeowners find themselves.
After decades of hard work, the goal isn't simply to own a home. It's to continue enjoying it safely and comfortably for as long as possible.
No one should have to consider moving, or risk injury every day, because a bathroom was designed without long-term accessibility in mind.
According to the CDC, falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults, and bathrooms are one of the most common places for those accidents to occur.
Signs your shower may be creating unnecessary risk include:
A quick self-assessment can help determine whether your bathroom may be creating unnecessary risk.
Ask yourself:
✅ Do you need to hold onto walls, counters, or fixtures for balance?
✅ Have you ever felt unsteady entering or exiting your shower?
✅ Do you avoid using certain features because they're difficult to access?
✅ Would your bathroom still work for you if your mobility changed tomorrow?
✅ Have family members expressed concern about your safety?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be worth exploring accessibility improvements before a fall or injury forces the issue.
For homeowners who plan to remain in their homes long term, these concerns often become the driving force behind a remodel.
That was exactly the case for Mary and Rick.
If you're planning to remain in your home long term, understanding the fundamentals of bathroom safety can help you identify risks before they become serious problems.
After spending two years renovating and improving their property, they weren't interested in moving.
They wanted to stay.
"We wanted to be able to continue to age in this home, which we've worked so hard to make our own."
That decision changed the conversation.
The project was no longer about replacing a shower.
This is one reason many homeowners view a walk-in shower differently than other remodeling projects.
While every remodel involves an investment, accessibility-focused upgrades often deliver value beyond aesthetics. They can help reduce daily risks, improve comfort, and potentially delay or eliminate the need for more costly housing changes later in life.
For homeowners planning to remain in their homes long term, the conversation often shifts from "How much does it cost?" to "How much value does it provide over the next 10 to 20 years?"
It was about preserving their independence and making sure their home would continue to serve them well in the years ahead.
Like many homeowners beginning a bathroom remodel, Mary and Rick started their research by visiting bath showrooms.
Instead of finding answers, they found confusion.
"We went to a couple of specialty bath showrooms and honestly found all of that a bit overwhelming."
By the end of the process, they felt less certain than when they started.
This happens more often than many homeowners expect.
Most people remodel a bathroom only once or twice in their lives. They're suddenly asked to evaluate dozens of materials, layouts, fixtures, colors, and accessibility features. All while making a significant financial decision.
Without guidance that starts with how the space will actually be used, it's easy to become overwhelmed by choices that may not solve the real problem.
Everything changed when Mary came across HomePride.
What stood out wasn't a product.
It was the process.
Within a short time, a designer made the trip to their home—even though it required driving more than five miles down rural dirt roads.
When designer Stacy arrived, he didn't immediately start talking about shower systems.
Instead, he started asking questions.
"He took time to walk around our house and get a sense of our style and spent time with us trying to figure out what our needs really were."
That consultative approach became one of the defining parts of the experience.
"This is an investment," Mary said. "It's certainly worth taking the time to hear from an expert."
One of the biggest advantages of an in-home consultation is context.
Rather than choosing products under showroom lighting, homeowners can evaluate options within the environment where they'll actually be installed.
An experienced designer can also identify:
For homeowners planning to age in place, these conversations are often just as important as the products themselves.
Aging-in-place bathroom design is about more than removing a bathtub or installing a walk-in shower.
It involves evaluating how the space will function over time and identifying ways to make everyday routines safer and easier.
Depending on the homeowner's needs, that may include:
• Low-threshold or barrier-free shower entry
• Slip-resistant flooring
• Built-in seating
• Grab bars integrated into the design
• Handheld shower fixtures
• Improved lighting
• Wider access points for future mobility needs
The best solutions aren't necessarily the most expensive—they're the ones that fit the homeowner's lifestyle both today and years from now.
After finalizing the design, Mary and Rick waited approximately ten weeks for installation.
What stood out most wasn't the timeline.
It was the communication.
Having worked with numerous contractors during their home's renovation, they had become accustomed to unanswered phone calls and missed appointments.
"How many times did I make a phone call that never got returned?" Mary recalled.
That wasn't their experience with HomePride.
"They do what they said they would do."
The installation team maintained the same consultative approach throughout the project, checking in regularly as work progressed and making recommendations while still allowing the homeowners to make the final decisions.
Today, the towering "space shuttle" shower is gone. In its place is a modern walk-in shower designed around safety, comfort, and long-term usability.
"It's just so much easier to use every day."
More importantly, Mary and Rick feel confident that they can continue enjoying the home they've spent years creating. The project wasn't simply a bathroom upgrade. It was an investment in their future.
"It's an investment in our home," Mary said. "It's an investment in our safety."
For homeowners considering a bathroom remodel, that's often the most important question to ask:
Is your bathroom helping you stay in your home, or making it harder?
If entering your shower requires balancing, climbing, or navigating obstacles every day, it may be time to consider a safer solution. Because the best bathroom remodels aren't just about how a space looks. They're about helping your home support the life you want to keep living.
Mary and Rick's story isn't really about a shower.
It's about recognizing a problem before it becomes an emergency.
Many homeowners wait until after a fall, injury, or mobility challenge to begin thinking about accessibility. By then, they're often making decisions under pressure.
Mary and Rick chose a different path. They addressed the risk while they still had time to plan thoughtfully and create a solution that fit their goals.
That's ultimately what aging in place is all about.
If you're stepping over a high tub wall, navigating a difficult shower entry, or simply wondering whether your bathroom will meet your needs in the years ahead, it may be time to explore your options.
At HomePride Bath, every remodel begins with an in-home design consultation focused on your goals, your home, and the way you want to live—not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Start by learning what's possible for your space and getting expert guidance on the safest, most practical options for your home.
Visit www.homepridebath.com/start-your-remodel to schedule your free consultation.
Your shower may be creating unnecessary risk if you need to step over a high threshold, use a step stool, hold onto walls for balance, or feel unsteady when entering or exiting. Other warning signs include slippery surfaces, poor lighting, limited space to move safely, and a lack of grab bars or support. If you've ever worried about falling in your bathroom, it's worth evaluating whether accessibility improvements could help.
For many homeowners, a low-threshold or barrier-free walk-in shower is one of the safest options for aging in place. These showers reduce tripping hazards and can be customized with slip-resistant flooring, built-in seating, grab bars, handheld showerheads, and improved lighting. The best solution depends on your mobility needs, available space, and long-term plans for remaining in your home.
There is no specific age when homeowners should begin planning for aging in place. In fact, many experts recommend making accessibility improvements before mobility challenges arise. Upgrading a bathroom while you're healthy and able to make thoughtful decisions often provides more options and can help prevent injuries later.
For homeowners who intend to remain in their home for many years, a walk-in shower can provide value beyond appearance alone. Accessibility-focused upgrades can improve daily comfort, reduce fall risks, and help support independent living. Many homeowners view these projects as investments in safety, convenience, and long-term usability rather than purely cosmetic renovations.
Common aging-in-place bathroom features include low-threshold shower entry, slip-resistant flooring, built-in seating, strategically placed grab bars, handheld shower fixtures, improved lighting, and wider pathways for easier movement. The right combination depends on your current needs and how you want your bathroom to function in the years ahead.
Aging in Place Bathroom Safety Tips
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Barriers You Need to Overcome If You Want to Age in Place
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Advantages of a Tub-to-Shower Conversion
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