My old shower did not have the bar on the hand shower and it was forever falling off the hook, if you brushed past it, and it HURT crashing down on your foot. I was prepared to install it again in the remodel without the bar, but the Moen finish I chose did not offer an option without a bar in anything other than a single function hand shower, so I had to go with the bar. Now that I have read the comments here, I am glad I did, but I guess I'll know for certain once it is in use.

The setup took looking at a couple of times to get a sense of what was going on, so let me just clarify: The fixed shower head will be on the wall on the far left? and the handheld will be facing as you walk in? If I understand this correctly, then: We plan to use the hand-held shower to shower our daughter who is disabled. She will be seated when I shower her. We need to decide whether to install a corner bench in the back near the #3 studs or use a portable bench in the center of the shower closer to the # 1 stud. If we do the corner bench and place the slide bar on the #3 studs, I wonder if I will get soaked by the water coming toward me Although that is true what you say, I imagine that you would be standing inside the shower on the left side of the valve, if she were seated on the proposed seat, which should be fine for water on you- but wouldn't that mean that there will be water spraying out of the shower? If that is OK, then I would think that is the best option- no portable seat, nice fixed bench, and hand held above your daughter. But looking at the dotted line- does that give you enough room to get in and out of that shower? while assisting her? Will she be able to sit independently? In the corner, that doesn't give a lot of room, if you were to need a second hand? Will that ever be an issue? I can't judge the dimensions, but I would think a long bench along that far left wall would be better, but then the handheld would need to be over there? That would look a bit like the sample pic, I guess. Tell me what the setup is for the plumbing exactly and is it ok to move it....

Well for future reference in case anyone ever ends up searching this topic in the future, I did call Kohler today and they did tell me that they use custom hose threads on the wall elbow that only fit their hoses and not those of other manufacturers. It might just be a Kohler thing, as Delta told me their hoses should fit any outlet or showerhead. But it sounds like the faucet guy was right.

I would NOT recommend a grab bar handheld shower head combo. I specialize in accessible design and having it as a combo is in my opinion is not safe, because a grab bar is supposed to be at a position specific to your capabilities and limitations; so if you do needed it, it is a reactionary grasp, because falling only takes a split second. Also the combo grab bar will be at too high of a position, and not at a lower level since it needs to be lower as you fall down and not up. I would recommend a separate slide bar typically placed on the inside corner of the shower, but can be placed anywhere that works for you. It can be placed lower, so if needed, can be reached at a sitting position, or for children to use. I have purchased and used (for almost 9 years) the Kohler K-8524 (30") or the K-9069 (24") and they come in chrome, polished chrome and brushed nickel. I like these, because to move the shower head holder, you pinch the lever and slide it up or down. there is no knob or lever to turn and lock in place. It also stays in position, which is important. As far as grab bars, as I mentioned, it needs to be installed specifically for your capabilities and limitations. But the most important thing is that it is secured in solid wood blocking. If anyone tells you that they will install it into a wood or metal stud, they do not know what they are doing. A grab bar is supposed to hold 250 pounds of pull or push force. Unless you have large hands, I also recommend the 1-1/4-inch diameter and not the 1-1/2-inch that you typically see in accessible stalls. There are thousands of grab bars, but it would depend on what you are looking for. There are Universal Design grab bars that don't look like the typical stainless steel ones. Also your budget will make a difference. But if you just want the grab bars for safety. then I would recommend ones made by Wingits. They have a knurled area that makes it non-slip. I have used them for almost 10 years. You can purchase them on Amazon now, which will make it easier to get.