Home modifications are changes made to adapt 

living spaces to meet the needs of people with 

physical limitations so that they can continue to 

live independently and safely. These 

modifications may include adding assistive 

technology or making structural changes to a 

home. Modifications can range from something 

as simple as replacing cabinet doorknobs with 

pull handles to full-scale construction projects 

that require installing wheelchair ramps and 

widening doorways. 

The main benefit of making home modifications 

is that they promote independence and prevent 

accidents. According to a 2000 AARP housing 

survey, “89% of older Americans want to stay in 

their current homes for as long as possible,” but 

other studies show that most homes are not 

designed to accommodate the needs of people 

over age 65. A house that was perfectly suitable 

for a senior at age 55, for example, may have too 

many stairs or slippery surfaces for a person who 

is 70 or 80.

HOW CAN I TELL WHAT HOME 

MODIFICATIONS ARE RIGHT FOR ME? 

The best way to begin planning for home 

modifications is by defining the basic terms used 

and asking some simple questions. According to 

the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive 

Technology Society of North America (RESNA), 

home modifications should improve the following 

features of a home:

• Accessibility. Improving accessibility 

means making doorways wider, 

clearing spaces to make sure a 

wheelchair can pass through, lowering 

countertop heights for sinks and 

kitchen cabinets, installing grab bars, 

and placing light switches and 

electrical outlets at heights that can be 

reached easily. 

• Adaptability. Adaptability features are 

changes that can be made quickly to 

accommodate the needs of seniors or 

individuals with disabilities without 

having to completely redesign the 

home or use different materials for 

essential fixtures. Examples include 

installing grab bars in bathroom walls 

and movable cabinets under the sink 

so that someone in a wheelchair can 

use the space. 

• Universal Design. Universal design 

features are usually built into a home 

when the first blueprints or 

architectural plans are drawn. These 

features include appliances, fixtures, 

and floor plans that are easy for all 

people to use, flexible enough so that 

they can be adapted for special needs, 

sturdy and reliable, and functional 

with a minimum of effort and 

understanding of the mechanisms 

involved. 

 

Home Modifications
WHERE DO I BEGIN? 

Before you make home modifications, you 

should evaluate your current and future needs 

by going through your home room by room 

and answering a series of questions to 

highlight where changes might be made. 

Several checklists are available to help you 

conduct this review. The National Resource 

Center on Supportive Housing and Home 

Modifications is a good place to start. Go to 

the center’s website at 

http://www.homemods.org/resources/pages/sa

fety.shtml and view the “Safety for Older 

Consumers checklist.” 

In addition, Rebuilding Together, Inc. has an 

excellent home modification checklist at: 

http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/content/res

ource/ detail/1192/ 

You can begin your survey by examining 

areas of your home. Here are some questions 

to ask:

APPLIANCES, KITCHEN, BATHROOM 

• Are cabinet doorknobs easy to use? 

• Are stove controls easy to use and 

clearly marked? 

• Are faucets easy to use? 

• Are there grab bars where needed? 

DOORS, WINDOWS 

• Are your doors and windows easy to 

open and close? 

• Are your door locks sturdy and easy to 

operate? 

• Are your doors wide enough to 

accommodate a walker or wheelchair? 

• Do your doors have peepholes or 

viewing? 

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS, SWITCHES, SAFETY 

DEVICES 

• Are light or power switches easy to 

turn on and off? 

• Are electrical outlets easy to reach? 

• Are the electrical outlets properly 

grounded to prevent shocks? 

• Are your extension cords in good 

condition? 

• Can you hear the doorbell in every 

part of the house? 

• Do you have smoke detectors 

throughout your home?

• Do you have an alarm system? 

• Is the telephone readily available for 

emergencies? 

• Would you benefit from having an 

assistive device to make it easier to 

hear and talk on the telephone? 

FLOORS 

• Are all of the floors in your home on 

the same level? 

• Are steps up and down marked in 

some way? 

• Are all floor surfaces safe and covered 

with non-slip or non-skid materials? 

• Do you have scatter rugs or doormats 

that could be hazardous? 
HALLWAYS, STEPS, STAIRWAYS 

• Are hallways and stairs in good 

condition? 

• Do all of your hallways and stairs 

have smooth, safe surfaces? 

• Do your stairs have steps that are big 

enough for your whole foot? 

• Do you have handrails on both sides 

of the stairway?

• Are your stair rails wide enough for 

you to grasp them securely? 

• Would you benefit from building a 

ramp to replace the stairs or steps inside 

or outside of your home?

LIGHTING, VENTILATION 

• Do you have night lights where they are 

needed? 

• Is the lighting in each room sufficient for 

the use of the room?

• Is the lighting bright enough to ensure 

safety? 

• Is each room well-ventilated with 

good air circulation? 

Once you have explored all the areas of your 

home that could benefit from remodeling, you

might make a list of potential problems and 

possible solutions.

• Are all appliances and utensils 

conveniently and safely located? 

• Can the oven and refrigerator be 

opened easily? 

• Can you sit down while working? 

• Can you get into and out of the 

bathtub or shower easily? 

• Is the kitchen counter height and depth

 comfortable for you? 

• Is the water temperature regulated to 

prevent scalding or burning? 

• Would you benefit from having 

convenience items, such as a handheld 

showerhead, a garbage disposal, or a 

trash compactor? 

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT 

HOME MODIFICATIONS? 

Mentioned as a resource earlier in this fact 

sheet, the National Resource Center on 

Supportive Housing and Home Modifications 

(NRCSHHM) is one of the best sources for 

more information about home modifications. 

The center is a major clearinghouse for news 

on government-assisted housing, assistedliving policies, home modifications for older 

people, training and education courses. Visit 

the center’s web site at 

http://www.homemods.org. 

Some area agencies on aging (AAA) have 

programs or link to services that assist older 

people obtain home modifications. You can 

call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 

or visit the website http://www.eldercare.gov

to locate your local AAA.

For more information about ACL

U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, Administration for Community 

Living, Washington DC 20201

Phone: (202) 619 – 0724

Fax: (202) 357 – 3555

Email: ACLinfo@acl.hhs.gov

Web: http://www.aoa.gov