Increasingly, seniors are opting to upgrade their homes to make them more accessible rather than entering retirement facilities. According to AARP, in 2021, 77% of adults over 50 would prefer to age in place if they had the choice. Aging in place may make more financial sense for some seniors due to the rising costs of assisted living care.
ÂA recent Cost of Care Survey from Genworth Financial found that the national median monthly cost of assisted living is about $5,350. On the other hand, home modifications can range from very affordable smaller projects to larger-scale renovations. Here are 10 upgrades seniors are making to their homes in lieu of retirement facilities.Â
1. Upgrading Bathrooms
The most common upgrades seniors are making to their homes are bathroom updates. Renovations may include installing walk-in showers or tubs, handheld shower heads, grab bars, shower seats, and raised toilets.Â
Retrofitting bathrooms has become very easy and more affordable. Many installers can accomplish this project in a day with no permits involved. These upgrades allow seniors extra safety in their bathrooms, where accidents are likely to happen.Â
2. Incorporating Additional Lighting
Most slips and falls occur at night because of decreased visibility. To combat this, seniors are adding additional lighting with easy rocker switches or motion sensors. Spotlights are also crucial in heavily used areas like the kitchen.Â
3. Investing In Smart Home Technology
Smart technology can give seniors an extra level of security in their homes. Security systems like Ring are easy to use and are managed by an app. Many seniors are also adding systems that regulate their thermostats, turn off plugs or the stove, alert you when a door is opened, and turn on lights. Additionally, some systems can be helpful in an emergency by alerting emergency services and loved ones.
4. Buying New Furniture
Not only are structural improvements necessary, but seniors are also considering how their furniture can help them age in place. Ergonomic furniture can be beneficial if seniors experience mobility issues down the line.Â
Many seniors are also considering if their furniture layouts will have extra space for moving around and, therefore, are opting for less bulky furniture with fewer sharp edges.Â
5. Moving The Primary Bedroom to The First Level
Seniors are also reconsidering the stories of their homes and making necessary adjustments, such as moving their primary bedroom to the first floor or adding a bathroom on the main level to avoid stairs. If moving their bedroom to the first floor isn’t possible, seniors can also add stair lifts for increased accessibility. Stair lifts can typically cost between $4,000 and $8,000.Â
6. Replacing Slippery Flooring
Slips and falls are the leading cause of injury to seniors who choose to age in place. Many seniors are changing their flooring to avoid this, especially if they have slippery tile or hardwood floors. A low and dense pile carpet is the best choice for additional traction.Â
7. Adding Outdoor Ramps and Handrails
Accessibility outside the home is a crucial improvement for seniors. Adding a ramp and handrails gives seniors peace of mind that they can easily come and go from their homes. The average cost of a ramp ranges from $1,300 to $4,000.
8. Modifying Kitchen Design
Cuts and burns are thesecond most common type of injury to seniors in the home after falls. To help avoid this, seniors are modifying their kitchens by lowering countertops and rounding counter edges.Â
Another easy fix is swapping out drawer and cabinet pulls for wider pulls with soft ergonomic shapes, making them easier to grasp. Soft-close cabinets and drawers are also easy additions. Changing out wide basin sinks for something shallower is also a good idea to avoid too much bending over. Most hands-free sinks also have anti-scald devices. It may also be beneficial to widen the kitchen’s footprint for extra accessibility.Â
9. Swapping Round Door Knobs for Lever Handles
A very easy swap that seniors are making is replacing round door handles around the house with lever handles. These handles are much easier to grip, especially for those with arthritis.Â
10. Repurposing Rooms for Hobbies
Seniors are also updating their homes to accommodate how they want to spend their golden years. For some seniors, this means upgrading an adult child’s old room to an art studio or cozy library.Â
Offset the Cost of Home Upgrades
Upgrading your home so that you can age in place instead of moving into a retirement facility doesn’t need to be a daunting undertaking. By focusing on these 10 most common upgrades seniors are making to their homes, you can stay in your space no matter what your needs might be in the future.Â
While these projects range in cost, some may be covered by insurance or be tax deductible. This monetary assistance can help you offset the costs associated with aging in place.
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
