10 Ways to Upgrade Your Home for an Older Family Member

Secure area rugs with a non-slip pad or grip tape to minimize fall risk. StepNGrip's NeverCurl Rug Gripper is an affordable solution that’s easy to install.

In addition to keeping your rugs in place, this gel-based gripper keeps rug edges from curling and can be reactivated with water if you need to move the rug for cleaning. Users report that the gripping gel leaves no marks and even works for rugs placed over carpet.

A shower bench improves bathroom safety for seniors by reducing slipping risks and giving your older family member the independence to shower on their own or with limited assistance.

Many benches stand on their own inside your shower or bathtub, but a transfer bench adds extra security as your loved one enters and exits the shower.

Drive Medical’s Transfer Bench is reversible and sturdy—meaning it can accommodate any bathroom and support up to 400 pounds. Many users say it works best with a handheld shower, so consider adding the Aqua Elegante Handheld Showerhead to make the bath or shower as safe and comfortable as possible.

The bathroom harbors some common household hazards for older adults. When your senior loved one moves in, you may need to make adjustments to your bathtub or shower to make sure they can bathe safely. 

Starting at just under $400, you can convert your existing bathtub into a senior-safe walk-in tub. The CleanCut Step Bathtub Accessibility Kit makes the high walls of your current bathtub easier for your loved one to step into. It requires some handy know-how and tools, but makes showering much safer for older adults.

Another bathroom safety option is to upgrade your current tub to a walk-in bathtub. This gives your older family member the safety and convenience they need to bathe on their own. 

Ideally, senior family members won’t have to tackle too many stairs. But if there’s no way to avoid it, make sure their treks up and down are as safe as possible.

Provide adequate lighting on all staircases: you can add a lighted handrail or install lighting under each stair. Motion sensor lights by Mr. Beams are easy to install and won’t increase your power bill. They’re easy to mount to the wall along your staircase.

Adding extra grip to your stairs is another way to avoid stair-related falls.

Add grip tape to non-carpeted stairs or non-slip tread mats that work on stairs with or without carpet. Do this to all staircases inside and outside your home.

If your older family member is moving in and regular use of stairs is unavoidable, you might want to consider a stair-assist chair.

Home automation benefits seniors with more comfort, safety, and hands-free control of their home.

A smart thermostat can automatically adjust to keep your loved one warm and toasty. Smart lights can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times of the day. And motion sensors can trigger lights that make sure no one is left in the dark.

If you’re new to home automation, consider starting with Philips Hue smart lightbulbs or the Nest Smart Thermostat.

Both are compatible with a number of other smart devices and are affordable ways to start turning your house into a safer, smarter home.

One of the easiest ways to increase home safety for seniors is with handrails and grab bars.

Staircases, bathrooms, hallways, and even bedrooms can benefit from the addition of safety bars to help keep your loved one stable and secure as they move about the home.

Moen makes an attractive, sturdy 36-inch grab bar that is ADA compliant and can withstand up to 500 pounds of pressure.

This bar provides extra stability in the bath, shower, near the toilet, or anywhere else in the home. It also features SecureMount design, which ensures safe installation at any angle.

A bed rail helps keep your older family members steady as they get in and out of bed. The Stander EZ Adjust Bed Rail fits snugly between the mattress and box spring, and it includes a pocket to hold books, magazines, or anything else your loved one needs close at hand.

This bed assist bar also helps with changing sleep positions throughout the night. Whether it’s needed temporarily for help after surgery or permanently for long-term support, this is a simple, affordable solution for bedtime safety.