Home sweet (golden) home: A guide to age-friendly renovations

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Published Date 12/10/2024

You’ve got a cavernous 2-story home with an owners’ suite on the top floor. The thing is, you bought this house in your 40s when your kids were small and gave little thought to older age. Now? It’s time.

According to Consumer Affairs’ David Chandler, PhD., and an AARP survey, while past generations opted to sell, move, or take up residence in a 55+ community, today’s older adults are determined to age in place, despite the fact that their homes are not conducive to the limitations they may face in the future.

“Depending on the level of care you need, aging in place can be an expensive prospect,” says Chandler. “If you just want to make a few modifications around the house, there are low-cost DIY upgrades. High-end aging in place upgrades, however, can be a lot of work and usually require hiring a professional to do the job.”

Making your home accessible for aging in place requires careful planning and various modifications. One essential upgrade is adapting the entryway. Widening doorways for wheelchair access typically costs between $300 and $800 for a front door, though costs can increase significantly if larger structural changes are needed. Creating a step-free entrance might involve installing a small ramp for $500 to $1,000 or lowering and resizing the entrance for around $1,000. More extensive remodeling could run up to $4,000. For ramps, costs range from $400 for pre-made short ramps to $3,000 for custom large ramps connecting your driveway to your home's threshold.

It's important to note that widening doorways can become complicated if structural changes are required. Front and back doors are typically easier and less expensive to modify than interior doorways and hallways, which often contain support beams. Major structural modifications can cost between $20,000 and $40,000, at which point moving to an already-modified home might be more practical.

The bathroom, where most home accidents occur, requires particular attention. A basic walk-in bathtub installation starts around $1,500, while deluxe models with aerotherapy and hydrotherapy jets cost about $5,000. Walk-in showers, which eliminate the need to step over a tub wall and are particularly useful for wheelchair users, typically cost $1,500 to $2,000. A complete bathroom remodel, including lowered sinks and countertops, slip-resistant flooring, and wider doorways, can range from $8,000 to $25,000. When planning bathroom modifications, maintaining adequate space between fixtures (at least three feet) is crucial for safety and mobility.

For multi-story homes, various lift options are available. A basic stairlift can be self-installed for $1,800 to $2,000, while professional installation typically costs around $5,000. Wheelchair lifts, which can be installed inside or outside, generally cost about $5,000. Dumbwaiters and valets, useful for transporting items between floors, range from $2,000 to $4,000. Full-size elevators, though primarily found in larger homes, represent the most expensive single upgrade at up to $15,000.

Several financial assistance options exist for these modifications. While Medicare typically doesn't cover home remodels, it may occasionally pay for prescribed assistive technology devices and will cover an occupational therapist's home evaluation under Part B. Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers offer financial aid to qualified individuals in many states, specifically to help avoid nursing home placement. Veterans can access multiple grants through the VA and the Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services program. Additional assistance may be available through non-Medicaid government programs like the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which offers home improvement loans, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides grants aimed at helping seniors remain in their homes.

While aging in place modifications require significant investment, they often prove more economical than moving to an assisted living facility. It's worth consulting with health insurance providers about possible coverage, as Medicare or Medicaid might assist with certain upgrades. The key is to carefully evaluate costs and options while discussing plans with family members or caregivers to determine the best approach for maintaining independence and quality of life.

ConsumerAffairs, TBWS

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