Most Homes Aren’t Built for Optimal Aging

Stairs, rugs, bathtubs, and poor lighting create potential for trips and falls which could result in serious injuries. While we could gradually remodel in anticipation of these challenges to make our homes safer, it’s easy to put it off until it’s too late.

It’s all too easy to sustain a serious injury, like a broken hip, in the home. Nearly 319,000 older adults are hospitalized each year from broken hips, and 88% of these fractures are a result of a fall.¹ A serious injury like this can force people out of their homes and into assisted living or a nursing home, which can result in an instant and ongoing hit to your savings.

According to a 2025 University of Michigan poll, only 31% of adults age 65 and older have made modifications to make their homes more age-friendly.²

Can I Afford a CAPS Professional?

Some remodelers will do an aging-in-place home assessment for free if they’re going to be doing the home modifications. If the CAPS professional isn’t a remodeler, they’ll likely charge for the home assessment. CAPS professionals are generally paid by the hour or receive a flat fee per visit or project.

The Cost of Aging in Your Home vs. an Assisted Living Community

If you’re thinking about hiring a CAPS professional for an assessment, and possibly remodeling your home, you’re probably wondering if it’s going to be worth it financially. A whole-home retrofit across multiple rooms runs $18,000–$75,000.³ The single most-requested upgrade, a curb-free walk-in shower, runs $6,000–$10,000.³

Remodeling expenses may be only a portion of the costs to age in your home. For example, if you need a full-time (44 hours a week) home health aide, the median annual cost is $80,080.⁴

What Kinds of Renovations Are Usually Required?

Renovations will be unique to your home and will depend on your age and health. Common modifications include installing curb-free showers, grab bars, non-slip flooring and widening hallways and doorways to accommodate wheelchairs. Below are two websites that provide info on common aging-in-place remodeling projects:

• RetirementLiving.com: Includes cost estimates

• NAHB’s aging-in-place checklist

Most people doing aging-in-place remodeling start with their bathrooms. This remodel often includes installing a curb-free shower, grab bars, a comfort-height toilet, an accessible sink, non-slip flooring, and faucets with lever handles for easier turning. A fully accessible bathroom remodel typically costs $8,000 to $25,000.³

Build It In Now or Pay More Later

The most expensive way to make a home accessible is in a crisis: after a fall, a stroke, or a sudden loss of mobility, when the work has to happen fast. The cheapest way is to build it into a renovation you’re already planning.

If you are gutting a bathroom for a normal remodel, adding blocking in the walls for future grab bars costs almost nothing now and saves a wall-reinforcement charge per bar later. Choosing a curb-free shower during a remodel typically adds $2,000–$5,000 to the project. Converting a standard shower later means tearing out work you just paid for.

The same logic applies to wider doorways, comfort-height toilets, and lever hardware. They cost a fraction of the total when bundled into existing work.³

Can’t I Just Make These Renovations Without a CAPS Professional?

You could. There are lots of DIY aging-in-place checklists available. But you might not have the expertise to understand fully what renovations are needed now and what you might need in the future. As a result you could overlook risks that could cause injury or overspend on projects that might not be necessary.

Don’t Let Small Problems Turn Into Big Problems

When it comes to fixing our cars, none of us like paying for expensive repairs caused by procrastination. We can put ourselves at risk by putting off aging-in-place remodeling. CAPS professionals can help you create a game plan. Then it’s up to you to act on it.

Next Steps

• Google “The Hartford’s Remodeling Today for a Better Tomorrow” guide to grab a PDF packed with practical kitchen and bathroom remodeling ideas

• If you’re planning to age in place and need a CAPS professional, just give the NAHB a call at 800-368-5242 or google “NAHB Directories.” On the site, click “Professionals with Home Building Designations” directory. Click on the CAPS designation in the top box on the left. To find professionals in your state, just click your state’s abbreviation in the search box.

• Schedule an appointment with your financial professional to discuss the cost of aging-in-place remodeling and its impact on your financial plan