Home safety

Low-Cost Home Modifications

by

Most people prefer to continue living in their homes as they age or “Age in Place.” However,
homes were not built to age with us, and over time it may become harder to do daily activities
such as cooking, bathing, or managing the stairs. Fortunately, there are simple and often
affordable steps you can take to modify your home and make it work for you. This is called
Home Modification.

Home Modification is the process of making changes to a home to match your changing
needs. It considers how you interact with your physical environment and aims to:

  • Reduce accidents by making the home a safer place to live daily life and age in place
  • Support independent living by making daily activities easier

Checklist of Low-Cost Home Modifications

Some people think making their homes safer and more supportive will cost too much. In reality,
many changes are inexpensive and easy. Make your homework for you by taking the following
simple and low-cost steps: Remove, Add, Install, or Accessorize.

Here’s an example: Sheila has rheumatoid arthritis and macular degeneration and lives at
home alone. Her family members help her obtain a chair in the shower and bathtub, an
elevated toilet seat and grab bars around the toilet, tub and shower for support and safety.

To address her vision problems, Sheila increases the lighting in her bathroom, puts a night
light by the door, and removes the bathroom rug that is a tripping hazard. These are all
simple and low-cost home modifications that will significantly improve Sheila’s quality of life,
confidence, safety and independence.

LOW-COST HOME MODIFICATIONS: MAKE YOUR HOMEWORK FOR YOU!

Remove:

  • Clutter on floors and stairs so that there are clear walking pathways.
  • Electrical cords from walking pathways by tacking them to the wall.
  • Tripping hazards such as unnecessary throw rugs, loose carpeting or uneven areas on floors.
  • Heavier and frequently used items from out of reach locations and place within easy reach.

Add:

  • Night light to mark the path between the bedroom and bathroom.
  • A lamp in an easy to reach the place by the be.
  • Gripper rug pads underthrow or scatter rugs.
  • Ramps to improve access, including low-cost temporary ramps.
  • Marked edges on steps and uneven thresholds with contrasting tape or paint.
  • Non-skid strips on the tub or shower floors and secure bathmats.
  • Shower chairs to allow for sitting while bathing.

How To Modify A Home

  1. A home assessment helps identify hazards in the home and recommend solutions. To
    assess your home, ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist or find an
    assessment checklist here. Depending on your income and age, you may qualify to have a
    health care professional advise you on changes and/or funding support to make the
    changes.
  2. If you are unable to do make the modifications yourself, seek out help:
    • You can hire a building professional, such as a handy worker, remodeler, or contractor.
    • You can contact a home modification specialist found through the following ways:
      • Your Local area agency on aging: may provide home modification services, referrals or
        financial assistance. Call the free Eldercare Locator at: 800-677-1116
      • Your Independent Living Center will be a helpful resource, too
      • Rebuilding Together: helps low-income homeowners, with affiliates in many areas.
      • The National Directory of Home Modification and Repair Resources lists providers by
        city Home Modification for Renters: You don’t have to be a homeowner to make home
        modifications – renters are allowed to make changes to their homes! Under the federal Fair
        Housing Amendments Act of 1988, landlords in structures with four or more units must allow
        reasonable home modification requests to allow tenants to remain living in their home.
  3. Contact your local Fair Housing Office to learn more.
    Resources: The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence offers a collection of helpful resources
    that suggest how to make homes safe and where to find services, programs, and funding
    support in your area. Visit: homemods.org. This project was supported, in part, by grant number HHS-2018-ACL-AOA-HMOD-0308 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.
    Install:
  4. Grab bars in and around bathtubs, showers, and toilets for support:
    • Higher toilet seats to make it easier to sit down and stand up
    • Adjustable height and/or a hand-held shower head to improve reach
    • Rocker light switches and lever door handles for easier use
    • Soft corners and edges to sharp furniture Accessorize with:
    • An emergency alert system to alert others if you fall
    • A bell on a small dog or a cat – small pets can be obstacles when not seen or heard