Many older Americans, if given the opportunity, prefer to age in place in their own homes rather than make the move to a senior living community. This choice makes sense for many families, but it takes work for this living arrangement to be sustainable. Many families need to make home improvements for elderly loved ones to safely and confidently navigate their current home, condo, or apartment.
What are Home Modifications for Seniors, Exactly?
Home modifications for seniors are any changes made to an older adult‘s living space that makes it easier and safer to navigate. These modifications range from low-cost options like installing night lights to improve visibility to installing state-of-the-art stair lifts.
Why are Home Improvements for Older Adults Important?
Improvements and modifications can help older people age safely in their own homes, improving their quality of life while preserving their independence and dignity while also giving family members peace of mind that their loved one has modifications that make this living situation sustainable.
What Home Improvements Can Help My Loved One Maintain Independence?
Mobility Aids
Mobility aids are assistive devices that can help people move about their environment with more autonomy. Common mobility aids seniors find helpful in their homes include:
- Stairlifts
- Rollators
- Wheelchairs
Bathroom Updates
Bathroom updates can include installations that reduce the odds of falls, like installing non-slip mats and grab bars, while also making accessing the space easier, which can be done through actions like replacing standard doorknobs with lever-style handles.
- Grab bars by toilets
- Non-slip shower mats
- Shower chairs
Kitchen Modifications
Kitchen modifications for seniors can include installing touchless faucets or lowering cabinets and countertops. The goal here is to make everything in the kitchen more easily accessible.
- Lower cabinets and countertops
- Touchless faucets
Other Fall Prevention Installations
Falls are a leading cause of hospitalizations and death for older adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That means taking steps to reduce the odds of falling should be a top priority for older people and their families.
Interventions that can help reduce the odds of falls may include:
- Slip-resistant flooring
- Handrails
- Night lights
- Wearable medical alert systems
Other Accessibility Improvements
Other ways to make homes, condos, or apartments more accessible for older people include:
- Wheelchair ramps
- Widening doorways
- Lever-style handles
- Automatic prescription renewal and delivery services
How Can I Pay for Senior Home Improvements?
Many people use private insurance, savings, or take out a home equity loan to help pay for home modifications. These options aren’t the only way to pay for renovations, though. There are plenty of government programs that offer financial assistance for home renovations that eligible seniors can use to make home improvements, including:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Title I Property Improvement Loans
- U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability Housing Grants for Veterans
- VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual and Household Program (HIP) grants
A local Area Agency on Aging (via the Eldercare Locator) can also help older Americans and their families access other ways to pay for home improvements, including local nonprofit programs.
Senior Home Improvement FAQs
Does Medicare cover home improvements for seniors?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover home improvements for seniors. However, certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover some of these costs.
What is the most requested support service for the elderly?
Commonly requested support services for older adults include:
- Personal care services, such as assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like toileting and bathing
- Homemaker services, such as laundry and meal preparation services
- Medication management services
- Companionship services
- Transportation services
What is the 504 home repair program for seniors?
USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants, also known as the Section 504 Home Repair program, is a program for low-income rural older adult homeowners (ages 62+). It offers financial support up to $40k for eligible home repairs to make homes safer for seniors to age in place.
How can technology make aging in place safe for seniors’ current home?
Technology can make aging in place in a senior’s current home safer in various ways, including:
- Reducing the odds of falls through mobility devices (e.g., stairlifts)
- Improving access to necessary healthcare resources (e.g., telehealth appointments, automatic prescription renewal and delivery)
- Making it easier for seniors to get help if needed (e.g., wearable emergency alert systems)
Who is a stairlift for?
Stairlifts are assistive devices that help people move up and down staircases safely. They are ideal for anyone with mobility issues, which can include older people, people living with disabilities, or people recovering from an injury or illness.
What are the best home improvements to help seniors age in place safely?
The “best” home improvements for elderly individuals are ones that help the person live safer and more independently, allowing them to navigate their environment with confidence. For some older adults, that might be installing more automatic light fixtures to improve visibility and reduce the odds of falls. For others, that might mean installing grab bars by the toilet or installing a walk-in shower to make certain hygiene tasks easier and safer to manage alone. In short, the best home improvements for seniors are those that meet their individual needs while helping them maintain independence and dignity.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only. It does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition.