Aging in Place: How to Make Your Home Safer, Room by Room

Bathroom: the highest-risk room

If you only do one project, make it this room.

• Grab bars anchored into studs next to the toilet and inside the shower. Towel bars aren't built to hold body weight.
• A walk-in or curbless shower, or a walk-in tub
• A comfort-height toilet, about 17–19 inches
• Non-slip flooring or mats and a handheld shower head
• A shower bench and anti-scald valves

Stairs, entries, and hallways

• Sturdy handrails on both sides of every staircase
• Bright, even lighting with switches at the top and bottom of stairs
• A no-step entry, or a ramp at the most-used door
• Wider doorways (about 36 inches) if a walker or wheelchair may be needed
• Contrasting tape on step edges for better visibility

Kitchen and living spaces

Swap round doorknobs and faucet handles for levers, which are easier on arthritic hands. Add pull-out shelves in lower cabinets so no one has to kneel or climb. Remove throw rugs and loose cords, and add motion-sensor night lights along the path from bedroom to bathroom.

Helpful technology

• Smart lights and voice assistants for hands-free control
• A medical alert system with fall detection
• A video doorbell so you can see who's there before going to the door
• Smart smoke and CO detectors that alert family members

Paying for it

Depending on where you live and your eligibility, help may be available through your local Area Agency on Aging, state Medicaid waiver programs, or VA home-modification grants for eligible veterans. Some nonprofits also offer free or low-cost repairs for older homeowners. For bigger remodels, see our guide to paying for a remodel without going into debt.