Home Modifications for Seniors Aging in Place

A 2022 University of Michigan poll found that 88% of those aged 50 to 80 believe it’s important to age in place. So, if you’re like the majority of older adults, you probably want to live at home as long as possible. Unfortunately, remaining at home becomes a challenge as we age. 

Whether it’s due to conditions that impair balance like diabetes, limited mobility from arthritis, or any other age-related ailments, routine tasks like walking up the stairs, taking care of landscaping, or cleaning can become hazardous and lead to accidents and injuries. 

Home modifications can make aging in place a safer option for many seniors. Below, we discuss how to make a home more accessible to those with limited mobility or other age-related limitations, reducing the likelihood of preventable falls and injuries while aging in place. 

A stair lift is a motorized device that moves along railings mounted to the stairs and transports riders safely up and down in an attached chair or platform. Stairlifts are an important home modification for those who often lose their balance, as falling down the stairs can result in serious (if not life-threatening) injuries. They are also helpful for seniors with limited mobility who require more support than alternative modifications, such as stair railings, can provide. 

Stairlifts can help individuals who:

• Have undergone surgery and lack medical clearance to use the stairs
• Struggle with balance and mobility or have a history of falls
• Use a wheelchair or walker

A threshold ramp placed before a door can help prevent someone from tripping and falling over entryways and allow a wheelchair to easily roll up or down. Wheelchair ramps are typically larger inclined platforms designed to help users navigate bigger obstacles than a doorway, such as a curb, the distance between the ground and a vehicle, or changes in elevation that would otherwise require the use of stairs. These longer ramps allow those who use a wheelchair, scooter, or walking cane to safely maneuver between significantly different heights. 

Installing ramps in your home can be helpful for those who:

• Have conditions of the lower extremities that affect flexibility, strength, or coordination
• Use assistive devices like a walker or a wheelchair
• Frequently trip or lose their balance when navigating stairs or a doorway

Some seniors are mobile, yet worry about maintaining their balance while going up and down certain stairs. For example, outdoor stairs leading to the entrance of a home may not have any rails to grip onto, so if someone stumbles, they may fall on very hard cement without a way to catch themselves. 

Interior staircase railings may only be installed on one side, making it more difficult to maintain balance than having rails to hold onto along each wall. In these instances, installing two-sided railings that seniors can grip with each hand while they step up or down is a straightforward, yet critical step to take to ensure their safety. 

Installing stair railings can help individuals who have:

• Outdoor stairs leading to their front or back door or indoor stair railings on only one side 
• Only minor issues with balance or strength who only need a little extra support  

Stepping over the side of a bathtub or the entryway of a shower and shifting between a seated and standing position when using the toilet can be difficult for seniors, especially in an area that may be slippery and/or wet. Fortunately, installing railings along the wall can help when transferring into a shower or tub, and railings mounted to a bathtub or shower can also add stability. Wall railings in the bathroom can also give seniors something to grab onto when using the toilet. 

Bathroom railings can be good for individuals who have:

• Difficulty transferring between a seated and standing position
• Trouble stepping over the side of a tub or entrance of a shower
• Balance problems and/or often fall or slip  

Another way to improve a bathroom's safety is to modify the design of the tub or shower. Special walk-in tubs and showers have a much lower step-in entry than standard models, making them less of a potential tripping hazard. Many also have various safety features, such as grab bars, non-skid flooring, and a built-in seat or bench. Both walk-in showers and tubs are available in wheelchair-friendly models, too.  

You may want to modify your existing tub or shower to a walk-in if you: 

• Have difficulty entering standard bathtubs or showers
• Have fallen in the bathroom in the past
• Prefer to use a bench in the shower for safety reasons
• Use a wheelchair or walker

Seniors can trip over bunched-up area rugs or uneven tile floors and surfaces such as stone or ceramic are cold and hard and can become slippery. In contrast, rubber or cork flooring is slip-resistant and provides a less painful and cushioned surface if a senior should fall. Vinyl, while harder, is an easy-to-clean, waterproof, and slip-resistant flooring option.  

Switching to non-slip flooring materials can help individuals who:

• Are prone to falls or slipping
• Have limited balance or poor vision
• Use wheelchairs, walkers, or other equipment that would be more difficult to use with carpet or uneven tiles
• Have arthritis or another body condition that may be aggravated by cold, hard surfaces

Additional lighting, rounded countertop corners, and automatic shut-off appliances can make a kitchen safer for seniors. Storing everyday-use items in lower cabinets, using wider arthritis-friendly drawer handles, and getting a motion-sensing faucet can also make it easier for seniors to use. Individuals in wheelchairs may also benefit from widening certain areas and lowering their countertops and those with dementia may benefit from color contrasts and/or labels. 

Kitchen modifications can help individuals who have:

• A weak grip or arthritis
• Poor vision and/or those who frequently bump into things
• Cognitive impairment or dementia
• Limited mobility and requires the use of a wheelchair or walker

Home modifications for seniors are just one aspect of aging in place to consider. Our Guide to Aging in Place explains the other elements of successful aging in place.