A diagonally placed grab bar provides a grasping surface at a varying height range so individuals of different statures can use it effectively. 

In many cases, a grab bar installed diagonally is handy for individuals seated most of the time in the shower and require assistance for getting up or sitting down. The seated individual can easily reach out with the outstretched hand to maximize the elbow flexors' mechanical advantage.
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The disadvantage of a diagonally placed grab bar is that it is the most effective benefit is unidirectional instead of a horizontally placed grab bar, which proves quite useful when an individual faces in various directions.