Must-Have Home Modifications For Aging in Place

As we or our loved ones age, our homes - the places where memories are made and comfort is found - often need a few tweaks to keep them safe, comfortable, and welcoming. Home modifications for seniors are all about making sure the golden years are as golden as possible, right in the comfort of home.

It’s not just about adding grab bars or ramps (though they are essential); it’s about creating spaces that support independence, well-being, and the joy of living each day to the fullest. Whether you’re considering these changes for yourself or someone you care deeply about, Seniorly can help make your home a safer, more accessible haven. Let’s explore together how small changes can make a big impact, ensuring the home continues to be a place of happiness and comfort.

If you or someone you love is looking into home modifications, it's essential for them to understand the ins and outs of things like home monitoring systems, grab bars, and durable medical equipment. Other elements, such as whether or not you should install slip resistant flooring, also go a very long way for people who are getting older.

If you're an adult child to elderly parents or if someone you care about could benefit from home modifications, the following six tips are worth passing along:

Bathroom safety modifications

The bathroom, though a place for privacy and personal care, can present unseen challenges for older adults, with slippery surfaces and hard edges around every corner.

• Grab bars and handrails: Install these in key areas to prevent slips and falls, providing stability while using the toilet, shower, or bath.
• Walk-in tubs and showers: A walk-in shower or tub provides easy access and non-slip floors, making bathing a safer, more luxurious experience.
• Raised Toilets: Raised or comfort-height toilets are designed to be taller than standard toilets, typically 2 to 4 inches higher. This design can significantly aid older adults or individuals with mobility issues, making it easier and safer to sit down and stand up, thereby enhancing independence and reducing the risk of falls in the bathroom. Alternatively, you can install a toilet riser if replacing the toilet is out of your budget.
• Lever handles: Replace traditional taps with lever handles to make turning water on and off easier for those with limited hand strength.
• Shower chairs: Adding a shower chair can provide a secure place to sit while bathing, reducing the risk of falls and making the shower more accessible for those with mobility issues.
• Hand-held shower head: For older adults, maintaining balance can sometimes be challenging. A hand-held shower head allows them to bathe while seated or standing with support, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
• Rubber mats: Rubber mats, which are always a good idea inside and outside the tub or shower, can help prevent slips on wet surfaces, adding an extra layer of safety.

Changes in the kitchen

Navigating the kitchen can sometimes feel like an obstacle course for older adults, where slippery floors, hard surfaces, and complex appliances add unnecessary risks to daily routines.

• Extra lighting: Enhance visibility and safety by adding extra lighting in key areas such as under cabinets, over countertops, and in dark corners. This improvement can help prevent accidents by illuminating workspaces and pathways, making it easier to navigate the home safely at any time of day or night.
• Stove knobs: Switch out traditional stove knobs with user-friendly, clearly marked, and easy-to-grip designs. This modification not only enhances safety by preventing accidental burns or fires but also supports independence in cooking by making appliance use simpler and more intuitive for individuals with visual or mobility impairments.
• Adjustable countertops and shelving: Adjust the heights to make the kitchen more accessible, easing the strain of reaching or bending for those in wheelchairs or with mobility aids.
• Lever handles: Switching to lever handles on faucets makes controlling water flow easier for individuals with limited hand mobility.
• Kitchen flooring: Consider replacing hard tile with softer, less slippery like vinyl or linoleum. These materials can reduce fatigue for those who spend a lot of time cooking or cleaning, and they offer a safer surface in case of falls.
• Timers: Conveniently placed timers near the stove can help forgetful seniors who step away and forget they left the burner on.

Around the home

• Lift recliners: Incorporate lift chairs in living areas and bedrooms, designed to assist individuals in standing up with ease. These chairs tilt forward, gently lifting the user to a standing position, reducing strain on knees and hips, and supporting independence and comfort in everyday activities.
• Widened doorways: Enhance accessibility throughout the home, especially for those using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, by widening doorways.
• Ramps: Facilitate entry and exit by installing ramps at entryways, crucial for eliminating obstacles for wheelchair users.
• Stair lifts: In homes with multiple levels, a stair lift can make all areas accessible, safely navigating stairs without the physical strain.
• Emergency response system: Ensure quick access to help in emergencies by installing a reliable system.
• Lighting: Consider installing bright, glare-free lights in key areas like the kitchen for meal preparation, the bedroom for reading or dressing, and the bathroom for personal grooming. Direct task lighting can significantly reduce the risk of accidents by improving visibility and contrast. Adjustable and easy-to-control lighting options, such as dimmer switches or voice-activated systems, can also accommodate varying needs and preferences throughout the day.
• Rocker-style light switches: Replace traditional flip switches with rocker-style light switches, which are easier to operate for those with limited dexterity or arthritis.
• Area rugs and thresholds: Eliminate trip hazards by removing loose area rugs and smoothing out thresholds between rooms. There are a number of adhesives designed for securing the edges around rugs, as well as hacks for ironing out edges that curl up.  This straightforward modification can significantly reduce the risk of falls, creating a safer, more navigable living space for older adults, especially those using mobility aids or with balance issues.
• Handrails: Install handrails in strategic locations beyond just stairways, such as hallways and along walls in frequently used paths. Handrails ensure steady support is always within reach, enhancing safety and mobility for older adults as they move from room to room.

During the home modification process, technology is a remarkable asset. Smart home technology lets you  access to smart door locks, video monitoring, and remote-controlled appliances. A senior opting for Smart home technology won't need to get up and down as much. Managing locks, lights, and higher wattage bulbs with the press of a button is not only safer, but also more convenient.

Home modifications that incorporate smart home technology makes night lights, thermostat adjustments, fans and medical alert systems easier to work with. Medical alarm systems that rely on revamped technology allow seniors to access emergency first responders with the press of a button, rather than having to find a phone to call for help.

Home modifications to help seniors with Alzheimer's disease or dementia

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, certain home modifications may benefit from extra touches. For starters, you'll want to make sure plenty of natural lighting gets into the home during the day.

Ample natural light can help to prevent falls and lower the risk of confusion for people who currently live with Alzheimer's. Adding night lights in specific rooms when the sun goes down also helps combat poor lighting conditions, thereby making home modification even more optimal. Lighting the path between the bedroom to the closest bathroom is a great start.

You'll want to consider placing light switches in close range to hand rails, as well. This gives older people with Alzheimer's more mobility and greater flexibility when they're moving around, especially from one room to the next.

If you really want to make the most of lighting fixtures, automatic, motion-detecting light sensors may prove to be even more advantageous than standard light switches.

Finally, contrasting colors are among other worthwhile home changes that can help older adults tell the difference between floors and walls, banisters and doors, and dishes and tablecloths.

Beginning the process of modifying a home for an elderly loved one is an act of care that speaks volumes, showing them just how much you value their safety and independence. It's all about taking those first steps with empathy and understanding, ensuring their living environment supports their comfort and well-being every step of the way.

Assess the needs

• Consult with professionals: Consider a consultation with an occupational therapist or a certified aging-in-place specialist. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your loved one's specific needs and abilities.
• Conduct a home safety evaluation: Walk through the home to identify potential hazards or areas that may require modifications. Pay special attention to high-risk areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and staircases and entryways around the home.

Prioritize modifications

• Immediate vs. long-term needs: Prioritize changes that address immediate safety concerns, such as installing grab bars in the bathroom or improving lighting. Consider future needs to plan for renovations that may become necessary as your loved one ages.
• Budget planning: Determine a budget for the modifications. Some changes can be simple and cost-effective, while others may require a significant investment. Planning can help you allocate resources wisely.

Explore funding options

• Look into assistance programs: Investigate if there are local grants, loans, or assistance programs available for home modifications for the elderly. Some insurance plans or government programs may cover certain adaptations. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to gather information.
• Consider professional services: For larger projects, getting quotes from contractors experienced in aging-in-place modifications can help you understand the financial scope of the work needed.

Implement modifications gradually

• Start with simple changes: Begin with easier modifications, such as removing trip hazards, securing rugs, and organizing cords. These can make an immediate difference without the need for extensive renovations.
• Schedule major renovations: Plan for more significant modifications, such as bathroom remodels or the installation of stairlifts, during times that are convenient and least disruptive for your loved one. For people with dementia, any degree of renovation will feel confusing, and you may want to consider walling off segments of your house undergoing renovation. You may need an extra caregiver to assist with your loved one while you manage contractors. Alert contractors about your loved one's condition so they steer clear and are sensitive to questions or interactions.
• Ensure ongoing safety and comfort
• Regular check-ins: Periodically reassess the living space and your loved one's needs, as these can change over time. Making small adjustments along the way can prevent future hazards.
• Educate and communicate: Keep your loved one informed about the changes and educate them on using new features or devices safely. Encouraging open communication ensures that modifications effectively meet their needs and preferences.

While setting up home modifications can be expensive, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. There are various programs that can offer financial assistance:

• Government assistance programs: It's heartening to know that government programs are designed with your well-being in mind. These might offer grants or loans to help make your home more accessible, such as installing ramps or renovating bathrooms for ease of use.
• Medicare Advantage: Some Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans include benefits for health-related home improvements, such as safety modifications (grab bars, improved lighting, wheelchair ramps) and certain home modifications necessary for medical care. This feature can significantly assist in financing adaptations to your home, making it a safer and more comfortable environment as your healthcare needs evolve. Contact your health plan. Your healthcare provider will likely be required to complete paperwork to verify their need for these modifications.
• Leveraging home equity: If you own your home, tapping into your home equity through a reverse mortgage or a HELOC (home equity line of credit) could be a smart way to fund these changes. It's like your home is giving back to you, providing the financial support needed for modifications, without the pressure of immediate repayment.
• Insurance Options: Sometimes, your insurance policy might surprise you by covering modifications deemed medically necessary. It's worth a chat with your insurance provider to see if they can help support your home modification journey.
• Veteran’s Benefits: the Department of Veterans Affairs offers several programs aimed at assisting with home modifications. It's a way of saying thank you for your service, providing the help you need to make your home safe and accessible.

Remember, you're not alone in this. By exploring these options, you can find the right financial solution to create a safe, comfortable home where you can thrive. Let's make your home a place where every corner is filled with ease and joy!.

Tax-deductible items

In cases where home modification is needed for a person's medical care, the care of their spouse, or the care of their dependents, the following expenses may be tax deductible:

• Entry and exit ramps
• Widening of doorways and hallways
• Bathroom modifications, such as transfer benches, support bars, rails
• Kitchen modifications, such as equipment and cabinets
• Modifications of power sockets and fixtures
• Grab bars and handrails
• Ground grading to make home access easier

These expenses must be itemized, and you will need to adjust for any addition that increases the value of your home. For more in-depth information on whether your home modifications qualify as tax-deductible, you'll want to review the "Capital Expenses" section of the IRS website. The  IRS This will give you greater insight into whether or not you, your loved ones, or others have home modifications that qualify for tax deductions.

Make home modifications work for you or your loved ones

From throw rugs and light switches to bringing in a professional contractor and reviewing the materials cost, there's much to consider when it comes to home modifications for aging in place.

Pace yourself. You'll have to decide which changes are urgent and necessary, how to implement them and prioritize them for home modification. With more than one or two major considerations, feel free to ask questions, review all your options, and do any necessary research.

If you know someone who may be interested in implementing home modifications, passing this information on to them could prove to be helpful.