Aging in place home modifications range from quick fixes, like brighter lights, grab bars and lever door handles, to bigger projects such as a no-step entry or a walk-in shower. Start with the bathroom, bedroom and stairs, ask an occupational therapist to assess the home, and call your Area Agency on Aging about help paying.
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Most homes weren't built for aging. The National Council on Aging (NCOA), citing a 2020 Census Bureau report, says only about 1 in 10 American homes are "aging ready," meaning a first-floor bedroom and bathroom, a step-free entry and at least one bathroom accessibility feature.
NCOA suggests focusing first on the bedroom, bathroom and stairs, the most common places for falls at home. It also points out that making changes early can pay off by helping prevent fall injuries and the medical costs that follow.
Entrances
Add a ramp or zero-step entrance, and remove raised thresholds between rooms (NCOA).
Consider a grab bar near the front door for balance while you lock or unlock it, and turn on the porch light at night (NIA).
Living areas and hallways
Replace round doorknobs with lever-style handles, which may be easier with arthritis or limited hand strength (NCOA).
Raise the height of chairs to make sitting and standing easier (NCOA).
Remove throw rugs, fix carpets firmly to the floor and keep walkways clear (NIA).
Put light switches at each end of long halls, or use plug-in motion-activated lights (NIA).
Kitchen
Move often-used items to lower shelves and add pull-out cabinet shelves to cut down on bending and reaching (NCOA).
Keep a sturdy, counter-height chair in the kitchen so you can sit while preparing food (NCOA).
Bathroom
Mount grab bars near the toilet and on the inside and outside of the tub and shower (NIA).
Add anti-slip treads to tub and shower floors, and consider a shower seat (NCOA).
Raise the toilet seat height (NCOA), and leave a light on at night or use an automatic night light (NIA).
Our sister site's guide to bathroom safety for seniors goes deeper on this room.
Bedroom
Light the path from the bedroom to the bathroom with night lights (NCOA).
Keep eyeglasses and a charged phone next to the bed, plus a flashlight in case the power goes out (NCOA, NIA).
Place a sturdy chair in the bedroom to sit on while getting dressed (NCOA).
Stairs
Put secure handrails on both sides, with light switches at the top and bottom (NIA).
Add anti-skid strips with contrasting color to the step edges, and keep the stairs clear (NCOA).
See our stair safety guide for more.
Whole home
Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (NCOA).
Set the water heater to 120 degrees F or below to prevent scalding (NCOA).
NCOA notes that while some modifications can be expensive, many effective options are low-cost. Its contractor guide also shows who usually does what:
Simple jobs for a handy person: installing grab bars and similar small improvements.
Renovations that keep the room's layout: swapping a low toilet for a taller one, replacing slippery flooring, or changing doorknobs to lever handles.
Remodels that change the layout: widening a doorway, or taking out a tub and putting in a walk-in shower.
Specialty equipment: stair lifts and ceiling track lifts, which some manufacturers require trained technicians to install. NCOA says the best home stair lifts can cost as much as $15,000 before installation.
When you budget, NCOA suggests counting labor, materials, disposal fees, permits and inspections, not just the product price.
Before you buy anything, consider a professional assessment. NCOA says occupational therapists are trained to do a formal home safety assessment and spot risks you might miss. Occupational and physical therapists can look at the home together with how the person actually moves and recommend changes that fit them. An occupational therapist can also teach you to use new equipment safely and check that finished work meets your needs.
If an older adult has already fallen, tell their doctor. NIA notes a doctor may suggest an occupational therapist, physical therapist or nurse visit the home.
Area Agency on Aging. NCOA says over half of Area Agencies on Aging provide home modifications, like handrails and non-slip bathmats. Find yours through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.
State and local programs. NIA notes that many state and local governments run education or home modification programs to help older people prevent falls. NCOA also points to the Home Modification Information Network's state-by-state guide to programs and funding.
Nonprofits. NCOA lists groups such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together, and each state's Assistive Technology Program, as places to ask.
Veterans. The VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit can help with medically necessary changes, such as getting in and out of the home, a roll-in shower, lowering sinks or counters, and permanent ramps. The lifetime benefit is $6,800 for a service-connected disability (and in some other cases) or $2,000 otherwise. It doesn't cover items like portable ramps, porch lifts, stair glides or routine repairs. Contact your local VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to check eligibility.
Insurance and finances. NCOA suggests checking your insurance coverage and talking with a financial advisor.
Write down exactly what you want done, so you get accurate estimates and avoid "project creep."
Get at least three estimates using the same job details, and be wary of any quote far below the rest.
Check licenses and proof of insurance, and ask who pulls any permits.
Get a written contract with the budget, schedule and payment terms. NCOA says an initial payment is typically 10%. Never pay 100% up front.
Put any changes in a signed change order, and do a final walkthrough before the last payment.
Start where falls happen most: the bathroom, bedroom and stairs. Grab bars, good lighting, secure handrails and clear floors are common first steps.
Occupational therapists and physical therapists can assess the home and the person together. Ask a doctor about a referral.
Sometimes. Start with your Area Agency on Aging through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116). Veterans can ask about the VA's HISA benefit, and NCOA notes that eligibility for other funding can depend on income, ability, age and veteran status.
It varies widely. Many useful fixes are low-cost, while big projects like stair lifts can run into thousands of dollars. Get several written estimates before you commit.
RoomMend: Safer Home Plans is an iPhone and iPad app for planning changes like these in your own home or a parent's. It sets up a room-by-room checklist from an apartment, one-floor house or two-floor house template, tracks each fix through status stages with owners, target dates and notes, and lets you share before and after photos as plain text or a PDF. It is not a home inspection, safety certification or fall-risk assessment, so it works alongside an occupational therapist's visit, not instead of one.
Get RoomMend free on the App Store
How to Prevent Falls at Home: Home Safety Tips for Older Adults (NCOA)
Aging in Place Home Modifications: How to Choose the Right Contractor (NCOA)
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)