If you need financial assistance for home safety modifications, there are several options available, including home improvement grants, long-term material loans, and certain Medicare plans.

Home improvement grants are generally offered on a one-time basis for a single specific home modification project. They do not need to be repaid.

Some organizations offer long-term loans for certain kinds of home modification materials, such as portable wheelchair ramps. These may be borrowed until they are no longer needed.

While original Medicare usually does not cover the cost of home modifications, there are several exceptions. Medicare might pay for assistive technology devices, which can be part of a home modification project, if they’re considered medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor. Medicare may also offer assistance in determining which home modifications can be considered a medical requirement. Medicare Part B will cover the costs of a home evaluation from an occupational therapist to determine necessary changes. In certain instances, Medicare will also pay for bathroom modifications, including walk-in tubs, although this is rare. Generally, Medicare assistance is limited to any hardware associated with a home modification but not for construction costs.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may have more coverage for home modifications. These plans tend to offer additional benefits, which may include home modifications that are considered medically necessary. Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans vary from one state to another, so you should check the supplemental benefits offered where you live.

Home safety should be at the top of the list when choosing to age in place.

Here are some additional resources for you to review yourself:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls and Fall Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years. Sept. 23, 2016. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6537a2.htm
2. Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Addressing Falls Prevention Among Older Adults, Part I: Understanding Why Falls Happen. March 29, 2011. Found on the internet at https://www.hss.edu/conditions_addressing-falls-prevention-older-adults-understanding.asp
3. U.S. Department of Justice. Special Report. Crimes Against the Elderly, 2003–2013. November 2014. Found on the internet at https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cae0313.pdf
4. Stokke, R. The Personal Emergency Response System as a Technology Innovation in Primary Health Care Services: An Integrative Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. July 14, 2016. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4965612/
5. Department of Justice. Elder abuse statistics. Found on the internet at https://www.justice.gov/file/1098056/download
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nonfatal Fall-Related Injuries Associated with Dogs and Cats — United States, 2001–2006. March 27, 2009. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5811a1.htm
7. National Fire Protection Association. Installing and maintaining smoke alarms. Found on the internet at https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/smoke-alarms/installing-and-maintaining-smoke-alarms
8. American Burn Association. Cooking Safety for Older Adults. Found on the internet at https://ameriburn.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/cobranded_aba119_burnprevention-cookingolderadults_113018-1.pdf
9. Injury Epidemiology. Circumstances and outcomes of falls among high risk community-dwelling older adults. March 20, 2014. Found on the internet at https://injepijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2197-1714-1-5
10. ADA National Network. Accessible Lodging. February 2017. Found on the internet at https://adata.org/factsheet/accessible-lodging
11. Alzheimer’s Association. Wandering. Retrieved June 7, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering

James Ozsvath

Aging Assistant is a locally owned and operated in-home senior care provider, we are dedicated to helping our clients to remain in the home they love for as long as they can. Our caregiving staff are all warm and compassionate professionals, experienced in taking care of seniors in various stages of health. We handle a wide range of services, such as help with shopping, housekeeping, attending doctor’s appointments, and preparing meals. We also provide our clients with limited mobility or more intensive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia with the higher level of personal care that they require. Call our team now if you need help with a loved one's care.

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