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Sorry I can't help with the financial side of things but a tub cut out rather than a whole conversion might be more within your budget. Another inexpensive option would be to use a transfer bench to get in and out of the tub. Don't forget to install a couple of grab bars also.
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Reply to cwillie
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You don’t, generally.

Plumbers cost money, and that’s a big job.
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Reply to ZippyZee
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Ok, so when your roof goes, or there’s a tree you want to get rid of, or when you need a new furnace, do you expect the taxpayers or philanthropy to come help with this for free?

The younger population is beyond fed up with old people who actually have a house, a nice Medicare plan, a pension and ss. All of which are typical at your age, and are more than most of them will get. Do not count on help from the public.

If you sell this property you can live in IL.
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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lealonnie1 Jul 14, 2024
Ooooh, I have a tree that really should be removed. Who can I call to dig it up for free? I'm 67.
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There are a number of affordable benches that slide over the bath tub . Look on Amazon .
I think this is what most seniors do who cannot afford the tub to shower conversion .
At 86 , you may need to sell your home sooner rather than later anyway .
Having no bathtub in a home is a ding when trying to sell .
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Reply to waytomisery
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To Peggy Sue

You must have been born with a silver spoon in your mouth. My Mom as a widow, received $1700 a month. Her property taxes alone were 6k a year. Out of that 1700, 200 was the pension she received from Dads employer. She "just" lived on that money. The house suffered because she could not afford the repairs. You must not be a widow. Because, when a husband dies, who probably made the top money, you lose 1/3 of the SS you received every month. For me that would be close to 1k. Then the pension, the widow only gets a % of that pension, for Mom that was 40%. Thats if there is a pension, not everyone has one. Lots of Seniors are living pay to pay. They are physically able to stay in their homes and should be able to. Where I live, and its a small town, a 1 bedroom apartment is $1400 a month. Cheaper for me to stay in my paid off home for now.

Any grants given to fix up a house goes by income. I so hope that the rest of your life treats you well, no major illnesses or disasters where what money you have is used up and you have to wonder where the money is going to come from to pay your bills.
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Anxietynacy Jul 15, 2024
Joann , what about a reverse mortgage? I know very little about them so haven't suggested it to anyone.
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Are you saying you don't have a shower head set-up existing where your tub currently is? If so, you need a plumber to come give you an estimate to install this part (and get a hand-held shower head that has the controls on the head itself).

If you have a shower set-up in your tub area, then HomeDepot sells bathtub-to-shower conversion kits and they can provide a handyman to come install it. They aren't Zero clearance, but it's better than stepping over a high edge. It usually only takes a few hours to do the conversion.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cleancut-Medium-White-Step-Bathtub-Conversion-Kit-S-W-M/304971341

Otherwise, if you own the home you are living in (assuming you aren't in a rental) then consider taking out equity to pay for it.

Or maybe consider transitioning to a senior community where they have ADA compliant residences and a continuum of care levels so that you won't have to worry about it in the future.
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Reply to Geaton777
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Example:
https://cleancutbath.com/
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Reply to elisny
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I would assume that elders who live in a rental with a bathtub would most likely need to use a sliding shower bench . I doubt a rental would allow the tub to be taken out .
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Reply to waytomisery
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Razkar, check with your bank to see if you can get a line-of-credit. That way you can make the change, but note the amount used on the line-of-credit would need to be repaid along with interest. One would need a good credit score to qualify.
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Reply to freqflyer
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You can call 211 and see what might be available in your area as far as any help, or go to FindHelp.org. and put in your zip code and find free or reduced cost resources for various things including financial assistance in your area.
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