Making Home Safe Again: Key Features That Let You Age in Place with Confidence

If you’ve ever walked through your parents’ home and silently wondered, Is this place really safe anymore? you’re not alone. For millions of adult children, that moment of realization comes suddenly—after a fall, a hospital visit, or simply watching a parent struggle with daily tasks that once seemed easy.

If you're an independent older adult, you may be quietly asking yourself the same questions. Maybe you've noticed that stairs feel steeper, the bathroom feels less secure, or getting around your home isn’t quite as effortless as it once was.

These small shifts are easy to dismiss—until they’re not. Taking action now means you're staying in control and protecting your independence for the years ahead.

Most older adults want to stay in their homes. In fact, AARP reports that nearly 80 percent of people over 50 say they want to “age in place.” However, good intentions aren’t enough. The home has to support that goal—physically, emotionally, and financially.

As aging brings mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and care needs, even the coziest family home can become a danger zone. Stairs become hazards. Bathrooms turn treacherous. And independence slowly slips away.

That’s why more families are taking proactive steps to downsize or modify a home that can adapt as their needs change. Whether you’re helping your parents prepare—or preparing for your own future—these five senior-friendly home features can preserve freedom, reduce risk, and delay or prevent the need for institutional care.

Danise Levine, assistant director of the IDeA Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at the University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning, says many older adults unknowingly adjust their lives to fit a home that no longer works for them.

“You see people restricted by their environment,” Levine explains.

Instead of adapting their home to support their needs, they adapt their behavior to the limitations of the space. It’s incredibly rewarding when we can help change that dynamic.

Levine says everyone’s situation and needs are different, but a few changes can make a world of difference.

They don’t only love it because they love the aesthetics of it. They love it because it has changed their lives.

And if your loved one has Long-Term Care Insurance, that policy can help pay for in-home care, making aging at home not just possible—but sustainable. Plus, some policies will help pay for changes to make a home more age and disability friendly.

Here are five must-have features to look for when creating a retirement-ready home.

1. A First-Floor Full Bathroom: Non-Negotiable for Safety and Access

As simple as it sounds, having a full bathroom on the first floor can be the single most important feature in a home for older adults. It eliminates the need to climb stairs for bathing or toileting—two of the most common causes of injury and dependence among seniors.

Look for or add these features:

• A walk-in shower with slip-resistant tiles
• Grab bars by the toilet and in the shower
• A raised toilet seat for ease of use
• A wider entrance for mobility aid access

If your parents’ current home lacks this feature, it’s a clear sign that renovation—or relocation—should be on the table.

2. Non-Slip, Low-Transition Flooring: Quiet Protection from a Common Enemy

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among older adults in the U.S., according to the CDC. Most of these falls happen at home—and often on slick or uneven flooring.

Safer alternatives include:

• Slip-resistant vinyl or rubber flooring
• Textured ceramic tiles in wet areas
• Level transitions between rooms—no thresholds or sudden drops
• Avoiding rugs that bunch or slide

One trip can change everything. Upgrading flooring now protects against those “what if” moments.

3. Handrails and Grab Bars: Small Additions, Big Impact

Installing sturdy grab bars isn’t about giving up independence—it’s about keeping it. These tools empower older adults to move around their homes with confidence.

Place them:

• In bathrooms (especially by the tub and toilet)
• Along hallways or stairwells
• At entry points with steps or thresholds

For many adult children, grab bars are one of the first interventions they add when noticing balance issues or frailty in a parent.

4. Wider Doorways and Hallways: Planning for Now and Later

If a walker or wheelchair enters the picture, standard doorways and narrow hallways can quickly turn the home into an obstacle course.

Accessibility standards recommend:

• Doorways at least 36 inches wide
• Hallways at least 42 inches wide
• Open floor plans that reduce tight turns and clutter

Even if mobility aids aren’t needed today, building in this flexibility ensures the home remains livable long-term.

5. Bright, Dispersed Lighting: Visibility Is Vital

Poor lighting is more than an annoyance—it’s a safety risk. Vision tends to decline with age, and dark corners or shadowy stairs can quickly lead to injury.

Improve safety with:

• Bright, energy-efficient overhead lights
• Motion-activated lights in hallways, bathrooms, and entryways
• Task lighting in the kitchen and by beds
• Night lights in bedrooms and bathrooms

Smart lighting systems can even be voice-controlled or scheduled, removing one more obstacle to independence.

Why You May Still Need Help at Home—and How LTC Insurance Can Cover It

Even with the right home features in place, aging often comes with the need for personal care—help with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, or medication management. Many families underestimate how fast this need arises.

Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care, and paying out-of-pocket for caregivers can drain retirement savings quickly. That’s where Long-Term Care Insurance becomes essential.

• LTC News Long-Term Care Insurance Education Center

Experts say that families with Long-Term Care Insurance don’t face the same crisis as others do.

An LTC Insurance policy gives you access to quality care at home, relieves financial stress, and helps loved ones stay children and spouses—not become full-time caregivers.

According to the LTC News Cost of Care Calculator, professional in-home care can vary depending on where you live. For example, in Kansas City, Missouri, in-home care, based on a 44-hour week, averages $5,691 a month in 2025 and is projected to be $9,700 a month in 2045. However, in Reno, Nevada, that same amount of care averages $6,313 a month and, in 2045, is expected to be around $10,800 a month.

• How Much Does Long-Term Care Services Cost Near Me?

Finding the Right In-Home Caregiver

If your parent already needs help, or you want to explore options before a crisis hits, start with the LTC News Caregiver Directory. You’ll find qualified agencies and professionals who specialize in elder care—whether your loved one needs part-time help or 24/7 support.

Use the directory to compare:

• Types of services provided
• Caregiver qualifications and licensing
• Client reviews and availability
• Compatibility with your Long-Term Care Insurance policy

LTC News partners with Amada Senior Care to provide a free nationwide service to assist families in processing LTC Insurance claims.

This no-cost and no-obligation service helps you:

• Review your LTC Insurance policy
• Confirm benefit eligibility
• File claims and complete documentation

This service is available to any policyholder—regardless of insurer—and can be accessed directly through the LTC News Claims Resource Center.

Final Thought: Peace of Mind Is Found in Preparation

Helping a parent downsize or modifying your own home isn’t always an easy process. It involves emotional conversations, tough decisions, and sometimes the grief of letting go. But planning ahead is an act of love—and one that can make all the difference.

By combining a safe, accessible home with Long-Term Care Insurance and trusted caregiver resources, you’re giving your family the best gift of all: the ability to age with dignity, safety, and support.