Preparing your home for elderly family members and guests will help you avoid costly hazards and many modifications to your home will increase the market value. While there are a few additions you’ll have to scrutinize for budget-busting construction cost, preparing your home for the elderly can also be very budget friendly.

Any changes or minor improvements you make to your house on their behalf now can help you “age in place” and live more independently as the years go by. But don’t succumb to major transformations as its really not necessary; any general construction can be traumatic; a myriad of decisions, contractors, delays, and of course finances to fund these changes can turn a simple project into a complicated subject. A few practical considerations to eliminate a hazardous environment is all you need.

Keep in mind, there are elements that any elderly individual can benefit from and then there are over-the-top traps that contractors will have you consider but you won’t necessarily need. We’ve compiled a list of items you can embrace without spending a dime and then a few others that still won’t break the bank.

Here are some tips on necessary modifications for the elderly.

  • 1. Check the paths to and from your home to ensure there are no hazards waiting to trip on. Falls are the number-one cause of injury to elderly people. Check sidewalk cracks, loose steps and shaky railings. And all of these things can easily be remedied by visiting your local neighborhood hardware store. Can a walker or wheelchair easily fit through your door? Also, examine chair legs and stairs and remove throw rugs during your elderly visitor’s stay.
  • 2. Give extra attention to the bathroom, where most falls occur. Porcelain is unforgiving to elderly bodies so replace no-slip mats inside the bath and shower if they’re loose. Check that bath mats or rugs outside the bath/shower area to make sure they have non-skid backing. You can purchase grab bars for inside the bath and shower for as little as $50, but check that the label states the bar meets the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines for safety.
  • 3. Review your lighting in stairways and hallways, two very dangerous areas for aging eyes.
  • 4. Take into consideration any mobility limits your elderly guest may have and plan ahead. Be sure their room is close to a bathroom. If they use a wheelchair or walker, the doorways to their room and the bathroom should be wide enough. Rather than remodeling door frames, some experts suggest installing doors with swing-clear hinges, which can add an extra inch or two of space.

A good plan can help transform any home into an elderly-friendly homestead without hiring expensive contractors. You know what works best in any home? Less is more and it’s better because it always eliminates vulnerability.