Start by watching your parent's routine. Where do they reach for the towel bar, the sink edge or the door frame? Those are the spots that need real support. The usual places for grab bars in bathrooms are beside the toilet, at the tub or shower entry, and inside the shower along the long wall. Shower grab bars should have a textured grip that holds when hands are wet.
In Burlington, wall type is the big variable. Older homes in downtown and Aldershot may have plaster and lath, which needs a different fastening approach than drywall. Newer bathrooms often have tile over cement board, so the installer has to hit studs or use specialized anchors rated for grab bars. Condos along the lake sometimes have concrete or steel stud walls, which call for different hardware. Suction-cup bars are never a safe substitute.
Prioritize an installer who mounts into studs or solid blocking and shows you how they confirmed it. Ask about the weight rating, the finish so bars match the bathroom, and a workmanship warranty. Many handymen install grab bars, but you want one who asks about your parent's height, which hand they favour and how they get up.
Our view is that professional installation is worth it for every bar your parent will put weight on. Doing it yourself saves money, and that's tempting for a small job, but the trade-off is real risk if a bar pulls out of tile. Burlington has some installers, and many families also compare Hamilton and Oakville providers listed nearby. Keep the invoice, since installed bars may qualify for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit.