Making Your Home Age-Ready, Room by Room
Making a home age-ready mostly comes down to preventing falls and making daily tasks easier: grab bars and a walk-in shower in the bathroom, good lighting and clear paths throughout, a bedroom and full bath on the main floor, lever handles, and a no-step entry. Many changes are inexpensive and can be made gradually.
Why does this matter?
About 1 in 4 adults 65 and older reports falling each year. (CDC) Most home changes are about preventing falls and making everyday tasks easier.
What should you change at the entry?
A no-step entry or a ramp
Handrails on both sides of steps
Bright exterior lighting
What should you change in the bathroom?
Grab bars by the toilet and in the shower
A walk-in or curbless shower with a seat
Non-slip flooring and a raised toilet seat
What should you change in the kitchen?
Everyday items between waist and shoulder height
Lever-style faucets
Good task lighting
What should you change in the bedroom?
A bedroom on the main floor, if possible
Night lights along the path to the bathroom
A bed at a comfortable height
What should you change on the stairs and in hallways?
Sturdy railings on both sides
Clear paths with no loose rugs
Light switches at the top and bottom
Where should you start?
Start with the bathroom, then lighting and stairs. An occupational therapist can do a home safety assessment, and contractors with aging-in-place training, like the National Association of Home Builders’ CAPS designation, can handle bigger changes.
What’s the other half of the plan?
Staying Power is a licensed insurance agency that helps people plan for aging in place, including how help at home gets paid for.
Home changes make staying possible. Paying for help makes it sustainable. Long-term care insurance pays a benefit toward help at home if you ever need it. Get started to see what care costs and how to fund it.
Related reading: Signs a Parent Needs More Help at Home, How Much Help at Home Do You Actually Need?, and Questions to Ask Before Hiring In-Home Care.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for home modifications?
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover home modifications like grab bars or ramps. It may cover some medical equipment, like walkers, when prescribed.
Which change matters most?
For most homes, the bathroom, because it’s where falls are common and fixes are straightforward.
Get more details about long-term care insurance
