Feb 26, 2026
Most Americans want to age in their homes, but they might assume this will require costly renovations. And, in many cases that’s true, with some seniors spending tens of thousands of dollars on home modifications.
Consider that it costs, on average, about $8,000 to install a stair lift and roughly $18,000 to adjust kitchen countertop heights, according to Retirement Living (1).
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Yet, occupational therapist Carol Chiang from Evolving Homes told The Wall Street Journal that home modifications don’t necessarily require major renovations — or a big budget. In some cases, she said, homeowners can complete targeted safety upgrades themselves for around $1,500 within a few weeks (2).
According to Chiang, it comes down to targeting two key challenges: preventing falls and supporting recovery after hospital stays.
How a small investment can help seniors maintain independence
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s across all age groups — but, for seniors, the health implications can be particularly serious, even deadly (3).
Each year, nearly 37 million seniors aged 65 and older suffer a fall. Of those, “one out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury, resulting in 3 million being treated in emergency departments and roughly 800,000 hospitalized,” according to the CDC. More than four in five (83%) of deaths related to hip fractures among older adults are caused by falls (3).
Despite this, three-quarters (74%) of Americans want to age in place and receive in-home care, according to Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study (4). Yet, most homes lack basic support features like grab bars and shower seats.
According to Chiang, a $1,500 investment could help you set up your home for aging in place — at least with the basics. The amount you’ll need to spend will depend on the level of care you need as you age, which will likely shift over time (and could eventually require more costly home modifications).
For example, “for those who need round-the-clock help, perhaps because they have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, staying at home and paying for a home health worker could be cost prohibitive,” Laurie Madenfort, a financial professional with Coastal Wealth in Fort Lauderdale, told MassMutual (5).
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How to make home modifications on a budget
Preventing a fall starts with decluttering — and this step doesn’t cost a penny. You can get rid of what you no longer need and donate it, give it away or put it in storage. At the same time, remove tripping hazards, such as securing or removing throw rugs (or, at the very least, investing in non-slip rug pads).
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Chiang told WSJ that using color-contrast tape to mark edges of furniture and stairs can also help to reduce the risk of falls. Overhead lighting (typically $250 to $500, depending on fixture and installation) and motion-activated lighting (around $40 per unit) can help to improve visibility, while an additional staircase rail ($100, plus installation fees) and swing-away hinges that widen doorways ($32) can allow for safe movement around your home.
While this can help to prevent falls, some simple modifications can also make it easier to recover at home if you do end up making a trip to the emergency department.
Start with frequently used rooms, such as the bathroom and bedroom. If you have the money, you could install a walk-in shower for easier access. But there are also cheaper options, such as installing a bench and grab bars in the shower and applying slip-resistant strips on the floor of the shower.
According to Chiang, a raised toilet seat attachment with arms and bidet costs about $200, a handheld shower hose costs $40 and a shower seat costs $60 — far less than a full bathroom renovation.
If stairs are challenging, consider moving your bedroom to the main floor (if it’s not there already). For example, you could turn an office or guest bedroom into your main bedroom. A half bed rail (aka a safety rail) can make it easier to get in and out of bed and only costs about $50.
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In the kitchen, the cost of adjustable-height kitchen counters can range from $15,000 to $20,000, but pullout shelves in kitchen cabinets are much more affordable — often costing a few hundred dollars, depending on size and installation.
Even lever-style door handles can make a big difference, especially for those with limited mobility or strength. Turning a knob typically requires five to 10 pounds of force, whereas a lever handle can be operated with less grip strength. A basic lever knob generally costs about $20 to $50.
Can you get financial assistance for modifications?
Medicare typically doesn’t pay for aging-in-place modifications, although Medicare Part B may cover certain durable medical equipment (DME) deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor — such as walkers or hospital beds — rather than structural home changes. Medicaid may cover certain home modifications through state-specific waiver programs, depending on eligibility and location.
Long-term care insurance may provide coverage for home modifications, such as wheelchair ramps and stairlifts, depending on the policy. And some Medicare Advantage plans include a small annual allowance for assistive and safety devices.
But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you don’t qualify under these plans. Some nonprofit organizations may be able to help pay for aging-in-place modifications. You could also get a tax break for certain home improvements, if they are considered medically necessary and meet IRS criteria.
These modifications can help you age in place without breaking the bank. But it’s also important to be financially prepared in the event that you or a loved one needs to move into an assisted living facility or long-term care home at a later date — which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Retirement Living (1); Wall Street Journal (2); The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (3); Northwestern Mutual (4); Mass Mutual (5)
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Vawn Himmelsbach is a veteran journalist who has been covering tech, business, finance and travel for the past three decades. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, Metro News, Canadian Geographic, Zoomer, CAA Magazine, Travelweek, Explore Magazine, Flare and Consumer Reports, to name a few.
