We write a lot here on the Blog about aging in place. The “why” of aging in place is obvious – our home is familiar and we want to preserve our independence as long as we can. But it has been a while since we talked about the “how” of aging in place. The specific question is, how do you make certain the home you want to continue living in offers a safe environment for you as you age? 

As several sources have pointed out, this is not a theoretical question. According to this 2024 report from Forbes, the U.S. housing stock isn’t appropriate for seniors to grow old in. “A 2020 report by the U.S. Census Bureau estimates only 10 percent of American homes are ‘aging ready,’” Forbes states, “meaning they feature a step-free entryway, a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor and at least one bathroom accessibility feature.” Among homes surveyed, only half had doorways wide enough for a wheelchair, and roughly 7 percent had age-appropriate barrier-free showers installed. 

With that in mind, let’s revisit the question of how to get your home prepared for safe aging in place. Our guide for this review is this recent article from NextAvenue, written by freelance writer Kate Daniel. Some of her recommendations are relatively simple while others are much more complex – and expensive. Before you conclude that your present house will suit your needs 10 or 20 years from now, let’s review Daniel’s list. 

As You Age, Will Your House be a Sanctuary – or a Burden? 

Daniel begins her article with the words of Diana Melichar, a certified aging-in-place specialist based in Illinois and president of Melichar Architects. Melichar recognized that while most people would prefer to continue living at home while they age, even the most cherished houses can become more of a burden than a sanctuary. “Stairs become harder to climb, lights seem dimmer and bathing becomes not just difficult but dangerous,” she says.  

The good news is that certain upgrades to your existing home can make aging in place more feasible.  

Daniel writes, “These changes range from minor, inexpensive renovations to major, costly remodels. While putting off these projects for as long as possible may be tempting, getting a head start can help make the transformation more affordable and less overwhelming.” 

And the stakes are high. The right upgrades can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries that could get in the way of your independence. Angela Hsu, M.D., internal medicine physician and geriatrician at Kaiser Permanente in Virginia, says, “Think of it as another type of preventive care: modest investments today can help you avoid major expenses and disruptions down the road. It’s better to prevent the fall and hip fracture … rather than hoping you can recover well afterward.” 

Daniel and the experts she consulted give us eleven upgrades to consider.  

Enhance Accessibility with an Entry Ramp and a No-Barrier Shower 

Install a ramp. Even one step can be a hindrance for someone with mobility issues. Melichar says, “The front door should be accessible from a level surface outside,” and Hsu recommends installing a ramp with handrails at the front door. This will provide easier entry and exiting for people who use walkers, canes, or wheelchairs.   

Swap out the tub. Melichar suggests replacing your bathtub with a zero-clearance walk-in shower, along with a handheld shower head. “Having a shower head that is on a hose, instead of stationary in the wall, is especially helpful if the person is bathing on a shower chair,” she says. 

Prevent Dangerous Falls with Grab Bars and Safer Flooring Choices 

Add grab bars. According to UCLA, around 80 percent of falls in a home occur in the bathroom. The installation of grab bars in the shower and near toilets can reduce risks, and not just for people with mobility issues.  

Eric Goranson, certified kitchen designer and host of the “Around the House” radio show and podcast, says, “A well-placed grab bar by the toilet, shower or tub can make the difference between a close call and a serious injury.” 

According to Melichar, the main consideration in installing grab bars is to reinforce the wall first. “Reinforcing the walls means adding wood support (like plywood) between the existing wall studs,” she explains. “Grab bars should never be attached to just drywall. When someone grasps a grab bar, they put a lot of weight and force into it. So, having the proper anchorage is crucial.” 

Go with non-slip flooring. “Flooring materials should be slip-resistant when wet,” Melichar says. Goranson adds his recommendation to look for “flooring with a coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.6 or higher when choosing materials for moisture-prone areas like the bathroom, kitchen and entryways.” (Daniel explains here that COF is a standard measure of how slippery a material is.)  

“Avoid high-gloss finishes, smooth tiles or overly polished stone,” Goranson says. “Instead, go with textured surfaces, matte finishes or materials specifically labeled as slip-resistant.” 

If that’s cost-prohibitive, you can apply anti-slip coatings or treatments to your existing floors if replacing them isn’t feasible, or purchase anti-slip mats and strips from the hardware store.  

Upgrade Your Lighting and Relocate Switches and Outlets 

Turn up the lights. Better lighting is, according to Goranson, one of the most overlooked yet important changes you can make to your home. “As we age, our eyes need more light to see clearly,” he says. “Someone in their 50s typically needs about twice the light to read or do detail work as someone in their 20s.” 

Hsu says that inadequate lighting can be a major safety hazard, leading to increased risk of falls. This is why experts recommend quality light fixtures in all areas of the home, both inside and outside. Special emphasis should be placed on the bathroom, bedroom, hallways, kitchen, and any stairwells.  

“This isn’t just about putting in brighter bulbs; it’s about creating layered lighting with ambient, task and accent lighting,” Goranson says. He adds that using dimmer switches, motion sensors, and Energy Star-qualified LEDs (light-emitting diodes) can reduce energy consumption and your electric bill, too.  

Lower switches and raise outlets. Yaniv Brikman, CEO and owner of LA-based Better Together Builders, points out that most standard outlets and light switches are difficult to reach from a wheelchair. “We often recommend installing outlets a bit higher, and light switches a bit lower,” he says. Generally, he says, outlets should be about 18 inches above the floor and switches less than 48 inches above the floor. (Of course, if you’re retrofitting an older home, this can be an expensive fix.) 

Get Around Safely with New Hardware and Wider Doors 

Replace doorknobs and faucet handles. Melichar notes that twisting and grasping can be difficult for people with arthritis, so if your faucets or doorknobs require these motions it might be best to replace them with lever-styles, instead. “Motion-sensor faucets are great, too,” she adds.  

Widen doors and hallways. Walkers and wheelchairs might have real trouble fitting through narrower halls and doorways. Because of this, Melichar recommends choosing doors that are at least 34 inches wide. “This will provide 32 inches of clearance when the door is open so that a wheelchair can fit through,” she explains.  

For hallways, Melichar suggests 42 inches in width at least. “It’s important, too, that there is space to turn a wheelchair around, so the person doesn’t get stuck in a room,” she adds. “A 5-foot circle is the basic rule.” 

Smooth Transitions and Easy-to-Reach Appliances 

Make for smooth transitions. Steps and stairs are common tripping hazards, but Melichar tells us that any difference in height can be a problem. “Transitions in levels, whether flooring, area rugs or door thresholds, must have a height difference of no more than half an inch,” she says. And Hsu adds that it’s best to remove small throw or area rugs and affix all carpets securely to the floor.  

Place appliances carefully. Standard-height appliances can make even the most common daily tasks like cooking and laundry nearly impossible for people with mobility restrictions. To reduce the need for crouching or reaching, Melichar suggests placing daily-use appliances (like ovens or microwaves) between knee and mid-chest height. “This includes dishwashers, which you can raise above the floor,” she says. “Washers and dryers are easier to access if they are front-loading and on pedestals.” 

Don’t Hesitate to Embrace Technology for Greater Safety 

Incorporate assistive technologies. Hsu recommends the use of technologies that can make your home safer. “Smart speakers can serve as voice-activated emergency tools,” she says. “By enabling features like voice calling or drop-in functions, seniors can call for help even if they’ve fallen and can’t reach a phone, especially critical during nighttime or when living alone.”  

She adds that these devices are generally affordable, require very little setup, and can be used for other purposes, such as setting medication reminders and controlling lighting hands-free.  

As the article draws to a close, Melichar finally suggests installing special smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that produce different sensory alerts for people with hearing or vision impairments. “There are also alert devices that use sound, light and vibration to help with doorbells, alarm clocks and phones,” she says. 

With such a wide range of upgrades to choose from, we agree with Daniel: best to start as soon as you can making your home a safe haven for many years to come.  

Rajiv Nagaich – Your Retirement Planning Coach and Guide 

The long-awaited book by Rajiv Nagaich, called Your Retirement: Dream or Disaster, has been released and is now available to the public. Retirement: Dream or Disaster joins Rajiv’s ground-breaking DVD series and workbook, Master Your Future, as a powerful planning tool in your retirement toolbox. As a friend of AgingOptions, we know you’ll want to get your copy and spread the word.  

You’ve heard Rajiv say it repeatedly: 70 percent of retirement plans will fail. If you know someone whose retirement turned into a nightmare when they were forced into a nursing home, went broke paying for care, or became a burden to their families – and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you – then this book is must-read. 

Through stories, examples, and personal insights, Rajiv takes us along on his journey of expanding awareness about a problem that few are willing to talk about, yet it’s one that results in millions of Americans sleepwalking their way into their worst nightmares about aging. Rajiv lays bare the shortcomings of traditional retirement planning advice, exposes the biases many professionals have about what is best for older adults, and much more. 

Rajiv then offers a solution: LifePlanning, his groundbreaking approach to retirement planning. Rajiv explains the essential planning steps and, most importantly, how to develop the framework for these elements to work in concert toward your most deeply held retirement goals.  

Your retirement can be the exciting and fulfilling life you’ve always wanted it to be. Start by reading and sharing Rajiv’s important message. And remember, Age On, everyone! 

(originally reported at www.nextavenue.org)