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.

We have a handheld only in an older tub combo and nobody has complained about it. Our new guest bathroom (which is the ones my kids have chosen to use exclusively) has the combo slider and fixed rain head. Nobody uses the fixed head except one very tall guest who probably doesn't realize the handheld can slide up or down. The bar is great for younger kids--before we had it we had a suction cup thingie that put the handheld at kid height (which is good "retrofit" if you don't want to remodel). Having the shower head at the right height was crucial for getting skittish kids to shower. You'll be fine!

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.

Thanks for all the input everyone! So I think I made some decisions. I bought a handheld showerhead from Hammerhead showers. They are all metal, under $100, look nice and get good reviews. I’ll just have the showers plumbed with a regular showerhead pipe and then install the hand held showerhead as the main/only shower head. For my son’s bathroom, I bought this suction cup handheld showerhead holder that we can place lower down for him. It was $15 on Amazon. I just need to find a tub spout and shower diverter now. When we remodel, the horizontal bar won’t be there any more.