Aging in Place Home Improvements: A Complete Guide

Many older adults want to live at home for as long as possible, referred to as “aging in place.” But as adults age, they face different risks than when they were younger, like falling or having trouble maintaining a home. That’s why it’s essential to make a handful of aging-in-place home improvements to help set them up for success. 

If you want extra support, you can also book an aging-in-place home inspection, in which a consultant will come to your home to assess your risks and needs. But in general, these are the common exterior, interior, and smart home adjustments experts recommend.

Interior Remodeling for Aging in Place

If you’re building a home, consider researching typical aging in place house plans. But if your home is already built, these upgrades are relatively easy and cost-effective—and can make a big difference in safety.

Update Your Bathroom

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in four people over the age of 65 fall each year. The bathroom, with its wet and slippery conditions, is one of the riskiest areas in a home for this age group. 

Here are a few upgrades you can make to enhance the safety of a bathroom.

• Grab bars: For added stability, install handrails or grab bars in the shower and next to the toilet.

• Raised toilet seats: Place a raised seat on top of your existing seat to make it easier to get up and down off the toilet.

• Shower chairs: Add a shower chair in your shower with an anti-slip mat.

• Walk-in tubs or showers: Consider installing a low-threshold walk-in tub or shower if it's in the budget.

Install a Stair Lift or Elevator

Stairs are also a hazard when aging in place. If your home has stairs to primary areas, like the bedroom or bathroom, consider adding a stair lift or a home elevator. While you may think an elevator is too expensive, there are many types of home elevators on the market that could work for your needs.

Assess Your Flooring

Older homes often have outdated flooring, like curled carpet edges or chipped tile, that can create a falling hazard. Upgrading to low-impact flooring, like vinyl or padded carpet, can reduce risks while also increasing a home’s value. 

Switch To Accessible Handles

Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints, which makes it difficult to open cabinets and drawers or turn door knobs. To reduce strain, upgrade to accessible door handles and cabinet pulls throughout your home. 

You can find these at any major hardware store, often labeled as “ADA compliant.”

Modify Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and without proper modifications, it can easily become disorganized and unusable. The best aging in place kitchen design prioritizes accessibility to help a homeowner enjoy cooking for as long as possible.

• Reorganize your pantry: Place the items you use the most at eye level or below. Use lazy susans or roll-out trays for easier access. 

• Lower your cabinets: If you may be in a wheelchair or using a walker, lowering your cabinets will significantly enhance your ability to utilize your kitchen for as long as possible.

• Reduce narrow spaces: If you have a kitchen island that makes it hard to maneuver safely around your kitchen, remove it. Consider a peninsula instead.

• Add lighting: Task lighting and lights under your cabinets can help you see what you’re doing better. You may also want to add additional overhead lighting.

Exterior Remodeling for Aging in Place

Social isolation is a significant cause of concern among elderly adults. To encourage social interactions and outdoor activities, it’s essential to make the exterior of your home as safe as the interior. 

Simplify Your Landscaping To-Do List

While landscaping can improve curb appeal, it can also add to your to-do list. Research landscape design for elderly people to learn more about low-maintenance and senior-focused landscaping. This may include anything from types of plants to lighting to seating areas. 

Add Railings or Ramps to Your Walkway

Whether you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow (two factors that can lead to slips and falls outside your house), it’s important to increase accessibility at your front entrance. If your walkway includes a step, you should build a wheelchair ramp and add railings. It’s a relatively easy DIY project, but you can also hire a professional for support.

Expand Your Entryway

Ideally, your doorways should be 36” wide for aging in place. This space allows room for a cane, walker, or wheelchair with room to spare. Reduce any decor or furniture right outside the entryway on both the interior and exterior of your home for ample space. 

If you are unable to change the size of the opening yourself, hire a remodel design company for help. They can look for accessibility opportunities throughout your home that may otherwise be out of your skillset.

Update Exterior Lighting

Add solar-powered lighting around walkways and seating areas in the front and back of your home. Ample outdoor lighting helps you enjoy your outdoor area well past sunset without fear. Not only does exterior lighting reduce the risk of trips or falls, but it also enhances the overall security of your home.

Smart Home Solutions for Aging in Place

The market is flooded with smart technology that can help you age in place safely. As long as you know how to operate a phone, most smart devices are relatively easy to use. You can also give your loved ones access for added peace of mind—both for you and for them.

These range in price and complexity, so feel free to start slowly and work up to more advanced smart home technology as needed.

Kitchen

• Hands-free faucet with anti-scald devices

• Smart appliances

• Stove minder

Bathroom

• Automatic soap dispensers

• Smart medication dispensers

• Motion lights

Main living areas

• Digital thermostats

• Smart plugs

• Smart lighting

• Smart window treatments

• Smart carbon monoxide detectors

Exterior

• Digital locks

• Security cameras

• Digital doorbell

• Motion sensors