Aging in Place: Home Modifications That Keep You Independent

· 5 min read

Aging Wildly: Ikigai and Kaizen Principles for an Unstoppable Life After 60, by Anne Jensen.

Buy Anne's book on Amazon · About the book

Ask most older adults where they want to live as they age and the answer is simple: right here, at home. Home holds our routines, our memories, our neighbors and our sense of who we are. Staying there is often called aging in place.

The good news is that many homes can be made safer and easier to live in with a few thoughtful changes. Some cost very little. Others are bigger projects. All of them can help you stay independent longer.

At the first Aging Wildly event, which Anne Jensen describes in Aging Wildly, home-modification exhibitors showed people how they could adapt their homes and keep living independently. Many visitors were surprised by how much was possible.

Start With a Walk-Through

Walk through your home slowly, as if you were seeing it for the first time. Imagine doing everything with a sore knee, a cane, or tired eyes at night. Look for anything that could cause a trip, a strain or a struggle.

  • Are there loose rugs, cords or clutter in walkways?
  • Is it hard to get in and out of the tub or shower?
  • Are hallways and stairs well lit, day and night?
  • Can you reach everyday items without a step stool?
  • Are there steps at the entrance without sturdy railings?
  • Is there a bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor?

An occupational therapist can do a professional home safety assessment and recommend changes based on your specific needs. Ask your doctor for a referral.

It can also help to invite a family member or trusted friend to walk through with you. A second set of eyes often spots things you have stopped noticing, like a wobbly railing or a dim corner by the back door.

Low-Cost Changes You Can Make Now

Some of the most helpful changes are also the cheapest:

  • Remove or secure throw rugs with non-slip backing.
  • Add night lights in the bedroom, hallway and bathroom.
  • Use brighter bulbs, especially on stairs and in the kitchen.
  • Put non-slip mats or strips in the tub and shower.
  • Move everyday dishes, food and clothing to shelves between waist and shoulder height.
  • Keep a phone or medical alert device within reach, including near the bed.
  • Swap round doorknobs for lever handles, which are easier on sore hands.

The Bathroom: Where Small Changes Matter Most

Bathrooms are a common place for falls because surfaces are hard and often wet. A few upgrades can make a big difference:

  • Install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower. They should be anchored into wall studs or with proper hardware, never towel bars, which are not built to hold your weight.
  • Add a shower chair or tub transfer bench.
  • Use a handheld shower head so you can bathe while seated.
  • Consider a raised toilet seat or a comfort-height toilet.
  • Over time, think about a walk-in or curbless shower.

Bigger Projects to Plan For

If you plan to stay in your home for many years, some larger changes may be worth considering:

  • A ramp or a no-step entry at one door.
  • Wider doorways for a walker or wheelchair.
  • Railings on both sides of every staircase.
  • A stair lift, or turning a main-floor room into a bedroom.
  • Kitchen changes like pull-out shelves, lower counters or easy-to-use faucets.
  • Smart home tools like video doorbells, voice-controlled lights and smart thermostats.

When hiring a contractor, get several written bids, check references and licensing, and ask whether they have experience with accessibility projects. Some contractors earn credentials in aging-in-place remodeling. Never pay the full cost upfront.

Where to Find Help

You don't have to figure this out alone. Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you about programs that may help with home repairs or safety upgrades for older adults. Veterans may qualify for home modification benefits through the VA. Some nonprofits and volunteer groups help with small repairs, ramps and grab bars for people with limited income. Ask before you assume you can't afford it.

When Your Home No Longer Fits

Sometimes, even after changes, a home just doesn't work anymore. Maybe the stairs are too much, or the yard is more work than joy. That isn't failure. It might simply mean it's time for a home that fits the life you have now. Our post on right-sizing your home walks through that decision with care. And if driving is part of the picture, see transportation when driving changes.

One Room at a Time

You don't need to fix everything at once. Kaizen, one of the guiding ideas in Aging Wildly, is about small steps that add up. Start with the room where you feel least steady. Make one change. Then make another. Each step makes your home a little safer and your future a little more yours.

Your Kaizen Steps This Week

  • Walk through your home and write down three things that could cause a trip or fall.
  • Fix one of them, such as removing a loose rug or adding a night light.
  • Call your local Area Agency on Aging or ask your doctor about a home safety assessment.

Aging Wildly: Ikigai and Kaizen Principles for an Unstoppable Life After 60, by Anne Jensen.

Buy Anne's book on Amazon · About the book

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