5 Best Home Modifications for Aging in Place Affordably

Enabling older adults to remain independent and keep to a familiar schedule, aging in place is often a preferable, more comfortable option than living in a care facility, and is usually much more affordable as well. But to ensure safety and accessibility as needs and abilities change, some modifications may be required. We’ve compiled a list of the 5 best inexpensive home modifications from our experts here at RehabMart.

Things to Consider:

It’s important to determine the level of support one will need when considering aging in place. Even if finances are low, there are some simple but effective options to consider when modifying a home to be safer and more accessible for aging in place. 

Why is Aging in Place Important?

By remaining in the same community and the recognizable day-to-day surroundings, there is no question that living in a familiar home is the most comfortable choice. Demonstrating better health outcomes than seniors who live in nursing homes, those who choose to age in place at home tend to have a better quality of life. Living at home also insulates older people from the viral and bacterial risks often inherent in senior living facilities, reducing the chance of contracting a serious illness. 

Why are more people Aging in Place?

Promoting life satisfaction and self-esteem, aging in place gives the elderly an irreplaceable level of privacy, autonomy, and comfort, enabling seniors to remain happy and healthy. With today’s technological advances, it’s easier than ever to find the tools needed to create a home space that is safe, convenient, and accessible.

How does Aging in Place Save Money?

If the home is older or is smaller than average, the modifications required to make it safe and accessible for aging in place may become too extensive. But for most people, there are a number of viable options to utilize that are quite affordable and won’t break the bank. When almost two-thirds of older adults cannot afford to live in a skilled nursing facility for even one year, aging in place is a much less expensive choice. 

Is Aging in Place Expensive? 

Recent research shows that aging in place offers potential cost savings at the individual, state, and federal levels, along with benefits that extend beyond the financial, including social and emotional benefits. In addition, an understanding of the specific challenges older adults have with maintaining a house can guide modification needs to support the desire to age in place. Safety and accessibility are the key points to keep in mind when considering updating a home for aging in place. 

The Top 5 Low-Budget Options for Aging in Place

Bathroom Grab Bars

Notoriously one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, bathrooms tend to have wet, slippery surfaces that can be challenging for even the most able-bodied users. Installing grab bars in the bathroom is a simple and inexpensive way to optimize safety for aging in place. This common home modification can help seniors who struggle with:

• balance
• strength
• mobility 

Available in a wide range of sizes and styles, support products like a bathroom grab bar around a toilet and along the side of the wall can be installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to provide a secure handhold and support for elderly users. Portable options, like the Tile Grip Portable Suction Grab Bar conveniently deliver solid support that can detach and attach as needed for home and travel. A wide variety of grab bars exist in the market for less than $100. 

Lumex Bathroom Grab Bars From Graham Field View Product

We recommend: Lumex Bathroom Grab Bars from Graham Field

Daily Living Aids

Aging comes with its challenges and the body may not function the way it used to. 

• Waning eyesight
• Diminished endurance
• Painful joints
• Reduced strength
• Balance impairment
• Decreased flexibility
• Lower agility

All of these factors can diminish mobility, making it harder to accomplish activities within day-to-day tasks. Fortunately, there is a wide range of daily living aids that include self-care equipment and assistive devices to make it easier to remain independent and to age in place. From adaptive utensils and kitchen gadgets to door knob extenders and reacher tools, independent living aids also include clothing/dressing aids, grooming/hygiene helpers, and so much more. Innovative technology has helped to create a solution for every daily living need and can generally be found relatively inexpensively.

LeverExtender Recliner Handle Extension View Product

We recommend: LeverExtender Recliner Handle Extension

Patient Safety Alarms

When caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, the person’s tendency to wander and get lost in their confusion, potentially falling and/or hurting themself becomes a major safety concern. Patient safety alarms are simple devices that optimize safety for the patient and peace of mind for the caregivers. Helping to prevent unwanted mobility, these specially designed alarms monitor patient movement, alerting the caregiver when this happens.

The alarms can be placed on:

• Chairs
• Wheelchairs
• Sofas
• Beds
• Doors
• Walls
• Windows
• Seatbelts

While some more tech-intensive patient safety alarms can get a bit pricey, there are many available that are actually pretty easy on the wallet while still remaining effective for the core purpose.

Smart Sensor Senior Medical Alert System with Fall Detection | Elderly Monitoring with No Monthly Fee View Product

We recommend: Smart Sensor Senior Medical Alert System with Fall Detection | Elderly Monitoring with No Monthly Fee

Proper Lighting

Adding a little light can make a huge difference in creating a safer aging-in-place environment. Using motion-sensitive night lights by the bed, in the hallway, and in the bathroom helps seniors see better at night when getting ready for bed and when getting up to use the bathroom. 

• Tap-on lights are helpful, but only for older people who remember to use them. 
• Motion-sensitive lights are ideal for users who often forget to turn lights on. 
• Installing extra-bright lights in the kitchen helps prevent falls, along with helping elderly users see more clearly and avoid common kitchen accidents like burns and cuts. 

As an inexpensive modification, adding more light to areas that tend to be dim, like living rooms, basements, and walk-in closets also optimizes safety for aging in place. 

Nobi Smart Lamp System for Aging in Place View Product

We recommend: Nobi Smart Lamp System for Aging in Place

Safety Rails

Enhancing quality of life for people aging in place, safety rails assist with mobility function. Also known as side rails, and bedside rails, this simple modification is available in multiple sizes, shapes, and styles to suit unique user requirements. 

• Bed rails provide support, security, and stability when shifting positions or getting into and out of bed, while also helping to prevent falling out of the bed. 
• Modified toilet seats with a safety rail feature can also assist with sitting and standing while on a standard-size toilet. 

These enable seniors to live more independently, reducing the need for caregiver assistance while aging in place. It’s important to choose bed rails that are compatible with the bed frame or mattress it’s used for. 

Bed Assist Rail - Bedside Econorail from Stander View Product

We recommend: Bedside Econorail Bed Assist Rail System

Final Thoughts

Defined as the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level, aging in place is a goal most of us have for our golden years. Generally safer and more affordable than skilled nursing or assisted living facilities, staying in a familiar home as long as possible will tend to make you a healthier, happier senior. 

Although some homes may require extensive remodeling to make them safe and accessible for aging in place, we shared some very simple, basic home modifications for aging in place on a budget. This article has covered many various concerns with aging in place: from installing bathroom and bedroom railings to simply changing lightbulbs to be brighter, automatic, and generally more functional for an aging senior, to covering concerns about the safety surrounding memory loss. These daily living aids are affordable options designed to help everyone age in place gracefully and without worry.

Thanks for taking the time to learn more about this popular topic, and be sure to check out other helpful articles about aging in place at our Caregiver University blog.