Retirement Retired Life

10 Aging-In-Place Home Improvements To Make Now So You Don’t Need To Move Later

Make your home a safe place for you as you age.

By Holly Humbert

Edited by Laura Ratliff

Updated April 6, 2025

More homeowners than ever are choosing to age in place, preferring the familiarity and comfort of their own homes over the expense and headache of relocating later in life. But it's a smart homeowner move to proactively think about your safety, independence, and quality of life down the road.

Here are the top home improvements to make now so you can age in place comfortably.

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Wider doorways and hallways

As you age, mobility becomes essential to remain in your home and independent. Widening doorways and hallways is one of the most practical home improvements for future-proofing your residence.

Standard doorways may not comfortably accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. Expanding doorways and hallways to at least 32 inches, preferably 36 inches, creates an accessible home environment, allowing for easier movement as your mobility requirements change.

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Non-slip flooring

Falls are the leading cause of injuries in people over 65. If you plan on changing your floors anytime soon, installing non-slip flooring can help significantly reduce this risk.

Textured vinyl, rubber, or ceramic tiles with non-slip finishes offer safety and many versatile styles. By proactively upgrading flooring in high-risk areas, like bathrooms and kitchens, homeowners can prevent serious accidents and maintain peace of mind as they age.

Grab bars and handrails

Installing grab bars and handrails throughout the home can dramatically improve safety and accessibility. These small, simple fixtures offer daily support, helping homeowners maintain their balance and stability as they move throughout their homes.

Strategically placed grab bars in showers and beside toilets can help prevent falls and offer additional stability. Handrails on both sides can also help make stairs safer.

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Elevator or stair lift

For multi-story homes, stairs can become significant barriers to independence. Installing an elevator or stair lift ensures continuous access to every level of the house.

While elevators offer more extensive accessibility, stair lifts provide a cost-effective alternative. Both solutions allow homeowners to comfortably navigate multiple floors without strain, allowing you to use your entire home, even as you age.

Lever-style door handles and faucets

Small changes can make a significant difference in your daily life. Replacing traditional round door knobs and faucets with lever-style handles allows people experiencing arthritis or limited hand strength to easily operate these fixtures without additional assistance. Lever-style fixtures require minimal effort, making them helpful for people of all ages.

Improved lighting

As you age, your eyesight will likely decline. Installing brighter lights can drastically enhance your visibility. Additionally, motion-sensor lights offer hands-free convenience and eliminate the need to fumble for switches in the dark before walking through hallways or into stairwells.

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Smart home features

Modern technology offers a variety of solutions to enhance the convenience, safety, and comfort of your home.

Voice-activated systems allow you to easily control lights, thermostats, doorbells, and security systems. These smart features simplify daily tasks and provide peace of mind through remote monitoring and automated assistance should you have an accident or need help.

Zero entry shower

Traditional showers with raised thresholds present a significant fall or trip hazard. Eighty percent of seniors fall in the bathroom. Zero-entry showers remove this barrier entirely, reducing the risk of falls. This design style accommodates wheelchair access and can be made ADA-compliant.

Ramps in entryways

Replacing or supplementing stairs with ramps allows everyone, regardless of mobility level, to safely enter and exit their home. Ramps offer practical convenience for mobility aids and, as a bonus, can make it easier to carry groceries or luggage into the house.

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Add a separate dwelling

Many homeowners value staying in their homes and being independent while aging, especially since the median monthly cost for assisted living care is $5,676.

Consider adding a separate dwelling or apartment to your home as a place for a live-in caregiver. You could employ a nurse or family member to live with you as an alternative to moving to an assisted living facility. If you aren't ready for a caregiver yet, you could rent out the room for extra income or as a place for guests to stay when they visit.

Bottom line

Investing in aging-in-place improvements now allows your home to remain comfortable, safe, and functional while also preserving your independence in later years.

Plus, you can enjoy the home upgrades now instead of waiting for them to become necessary. Additionally, adapting your home today can unlock forgotten senior benefits, such as reduced healthcare expenses by preventing accidents and falls or keeping your housing costs low as you retire.

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