How to Plan Aging in Place Home Upgrades

For many adults, the idea of aging in place is more appealing than moving to a senior community. You can maintain some independence and enjoy the comforts of home. But you’ll need to make enhancements to your living space to ensure it stays safe.

With a careful approach, you can outfit your home over time to promote a healthy approach to aging in place. Read this guide to learn how to do it!

Assess Your Home

Before making any big changes, start by looking at your existing setup. Doing an audit can help you identify areas that pose safety hazards. You can also spot layout issues or spaces that need extra attention, like staircases or kitchens. 

Sometimes, it’s helpful to enlist a friend or family member in this process. They can lend another set of eyes to locate potential problems. Move through one room at a time, and jot down any concerns and planned interventions. 

Identify Upgrades for Each Room

When you’re enhancing rooms for aging in place, organize potential changes by room. Especially if you’re making gradual changes over months or years, you’ll want to prioritize spaces. 

Maybe your bathrooms are a priority, for example. You could plan on installing grab bars near sinks, showers, or toilets. You may want to invest in a walk-in shower to make access easier. And adding non-slip flooring can help reduce the chance of falls. 

Are your hallways dimly lit? You may need to devote a phase of your upgrades to lighting, especially if you have concerns about vision loss. You could add track lighting, sconces, and touch lamps to ensure you have adequate lighting in hallways and entryways. 

You may need handrails in hallways, as well, plus ramps into areas that normally have steps for access. Make sure bedrooms are free of obstructions, like bulky furniture or throw rugs that can bunch. Introruce bedside lighting, and make sure the shelves you reach for frequently are low enough to reach easily. 

Know the Costs and Make a Budget

As you build a calendar for upgrades, it’s important to know the costs. Some upgrades may be relatively inexpensive, but others can cost tens of thousands of dollars. 

Adding grab bars to bathrooms, bedrooms, or hallways will only cost a few hundred dollars per bar. This cost includes the labor needed to do the installation properly, so everything is secure. 

Lighting can vary according to type and style. You may only pay a few hundred dollars for upgraded overhead lights or pendants. But introducing new lights or lights from well-known brands could nudge the price over $1,000.

More expensive projects include bathroom overhauls. If you’re replacing a tub with a walk-in shower or shifting the layout, that cost could easily exceed $10,000 or even $20,000. The size of your bathroom and level of decorative upgrades will impact the price, too. 

Ultimately, you’ll want to be mindful of your budget. You can use existing savings and make budget adjustments to plan for renovations. You may want to ask, “Do I qualify for a reverse mortgage?” to see if that can help you finance upgrades.

Look at Accessibility Guidelines

Be attentive to accessibility standards as you’re investing in upgrades. For instance, make sure you have handrails above all ramps you add. And make sure any new light switches are installed at a level you can reach as you age. 

Contractors installing grab bars should be anchoring everything into the wall studs. Ensure any expanded doorways can accommodate walkers or wheelchairs. And work with contractors who have experience making upgrades for aging-in-place needs. 

Start Planning Now

Making aging-in-place upgrades now can set you up for a smoother tomorrow. Assess every room in your home, and ask someone to help you write down all potential changes. Map out a calendar for your projects, and prioritize rooms according to safety needs.

When you’re intentional about creating a plan, you can help stay independent in your home.