When He Was Moving In… and It Had to Be Ready
A Remodel With a Deadline That Meant Everything
When the homeowner of this Eudora Way property reached out, she wasn’t looking for luxury finishes or a trendy renovation. She was looking for safety, support, and peace of mind.
Her father, who lives with dementia, was moving from Arizona to Colorado to live with her. The basement would become his primary space; and the bathroom needed serious attention before he arrived. She posted in a Facebook support group for adults caring for aging parents, asking for help making her home safe and accessible. Multiple members recommended Reframe Remodels. (Thank you for that!)
That’s how we met.
The Problem: A Bathroom That Simply Wasn’t Safe
A closer look revealed serious issues:
The shower had been built by someone who clearly hadn’t followed any standard building practices.
The shower curb posed a major fall risk for anyone with balance challenges.
The interior framing wasn’t strong enough to support ADA grab bars; a deal-breaker for the homeowner, whose father is a large man and needed dependable structural stability.
The layout made navigation difficult, and the space felt cramped and unsafe.
This wasn’t a bathroom that simply needed cosmetic updates. It needed to be safe, functional, and trusted.
Our Approach: Structural First, Beautiful Second
After walking the space and understanding her father’s needs, we realized the solution required more than a simple repair. It required a full reconfiguration built around accessibility.
1. Rebuilding the Wall, From “Janky” to Structurally Sound
The existing shower wall couldn’t support grab bars at all. It could literally be wiggled by hand. We stripped it down, rebuilt it with significantly reinforced framing, and prepared it to securely hold multiple ADA-rated grab bars, both on the toilet side and inside the shower.
This wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a stability and dignity decision.
2. A Curbless Shower for Full Accessibility
We removed the old shower entirely and converted the space into a curbless entry, eliminating any tripping hazard and making daily routines safer and easier.
This detail alone transformed the bathroom from risky to reliable.
3. ADA-Compliant Grab Bars Where They Count
Because her father required both support and predictability, we installed grab bars on:
Both sides of the toilet
Both sides of the shower
Within easy reach of natural movement patterns
These bars were placed strategically and anchored properly. Something the original bathroom couldn’t structurally support.
The Deadline: “Dad Is Moving Here in 3 Weeks.”
To add some pressure?
The homeowner’s father was relocating from Arizona, on a very specific date.
This wasn’t a flexible deadline.
This wasn’t a “we’ll get to it when we can” project.
It needed to be safe and ready before he arrived.
And it was.
We completed the project just in time, giving the homeowner peace of mind and giving her father a space that was safe, accessible, and dignified from day one.
The Result: Safety, Comfort, and Confidence
Today, the remodeled bathroom:
Functions fully for someone with mobility and cognitive challenges
Provides thoughtful structural support through every grab bar
Offers a smooth, curbless entry for easy access
Feels open, calm, and intentionally rebuilt for safety first
And most importantly, the homeowner told us she feels relief knowing her father has a bathroom she can trust.
Why These Projects Matter
At Reframe Remodels, accessibility projects like this are deeply meaningful. They’re not just construction. They’re stories about families, safety, love, and the responsibility of caring for those who once cared for us.
This project wasn’t about making a bathroom “pretty.”
It was about making a father’s daily life safer.
It was about helping a daughter step confidently into a caregiving role.
It was about serving a family when they needed it most.
When reliability matters, Denver home owners call Kaleigh Canavan of Reframe Remodels.
