A safe shower for seniors has a low or zero threshold, grab bars at the entry and near the controls, a handshower on a slide bar, a place to sit, and slip-resistant surfaces. Together, these features make it easier to get in and out and to stay steady while showering. 

Yes. Most tub-to-shower conversions replace the tub with a low-threshold walk-in shower in the same footprint, typically in 2 to 3 days. A curbless or roll-in shower may need additional floor work to create a level entry, which can add time. 

 Yes. With a properly sloped floor, a well-placed drain, and slip-resistant surfaces, a curbless shower removes the tripping point of a curb and makes entry easier for walkers and wheelchairs. 

 "Handicap shower" is an older term for an accessible shower, one designed so people with limited mobility can use it safely. Today the terms accessible, barrier-free, and roll-in shower are more common. They typically include a low or zero threshold, grab bars, a handshower, and seating. 

Private homes generally aren't required to meet ADA standards, which apply mainly to public and commercial buildings. What matters at home is a shower designed around how you move: a low or zero threshold, grab bars where your hands reach, a handshower, and a place to sit. 

 A low-threshold or curbless walk-in shower typically costs $14,000 to $24,000 in Colorado as a wet space remodel, or $20,000 to $30,000 when the project also includes the vanity, flooring, and toilet. Veterans and some Medicaid recipients may qualify for help paying for modifications.