Find money to make a home safe to age in
Grab bars, ramps, walk-in showers and stair lifts help people stay in their own homes. We list 25 to 41 programs and options in every state and DC that can help pay for them, explain each one in plain English, and show what the changes really cost.
Where to start
1. Check the home
Walk through room by room with our home safety checklist and note what needs fixing.
2. Call your Area Agency on Aging
It is free and knows local programs. Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116.
3. Apply to more than one program
See every option in your state and every way to pay. Waitlists are common, so apply early.
Ways to pay
Area Agencies on Aging: Home Repair and Modification Help
The local Area Agency on Aging is the best first call for adults 60 and older; many fund small repairs and safety changes or know who does.
State Assistive Technology Programs: Try, Borrow, Reuse and Finance Equipment
Your state's Assistive Technology program lets you test and borrow equipment, get used items cheaply, and in some states take out low-cost loans.
Centers for Independent Living: Disability-Led Help to Stay Home
Centers for Independent Living are disability-led nonprofits that help with advocacy, housing, assistive technology and finding money for home changes.
VA Home Modification Grants (SAH, SHA, TRA and HISA)
Four VA grants that help Veterans with qualifying disabilities adapt a home, from small HISA jobs to whole-house SAH projects.
USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants
Rural homeowners with very low incomes can get 1% repair loans, and those 62 and older can get grants to remove health and safety hazards.
Medicaid Waivers That Pay for Home Modifications
State Medicaid waiver programs can pay for home changes that help someone who needs nursing-home-level care stay at home instead.
What changes cost
Grab bars (installed)
$200 to $350
Tub-to-shower / walk-in shower conversion
$2,000 to $12,000
Curbless roll-in shower
$2,900 to $15,000
Walk-in tub
$4,000 to $10,000
Comfort-height toilet / raised toilet seat
$375 to $800
Stair lift (straight)
$2,000 to $9,000
Guides for families
What Is Aging in Place? A Plain-English Guide for Older Adults and Families
Aging in place means staying in your own home as you get older, with the changes and help needed to do it safely.
Falls at Home: The Facts for Older Adults and What Actually Lowers the Risk
More than 1 in 4 adults 65 and older fall each year, but research shows targeted home fixes, exercise and a medicine review can cut the risk.
Home Safety Checklist for Aging in Place: Room by Room
A printable, room-by-room checklist of more than 100 home safety checks, each with a fix and a rough cost tier.
How to Pay for Home Modifications: Every Option for Older Adults
An overview of every main way to pay for grab bars, ramps, walk-in showers and other aging-in-place changes, and who to call first.
How to Find a CAPS Contractor (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist)
How to find and vet a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, and when to bring in an occupational therapist first.
Home Repair Scams That Target Older Homeowners, and How to Stop Them
The most common home repair and fake-grant scams aimed at older homeowners, the warning signs, and what to do if you are targeted.
Common questions
What is aging in place?
Aging in place means living in your own home safely and independently as you get older, instead of moving to assisted living or a nursing home. It usually takes some changes to the home, such as grab bars, better lighting, a walk-in shower or a ramp.
Are there grants to help seniors make their homes safer?
Yes. Help comes from local Area Agencies on Aging, Medicaid waivers, USDA repair grants for rural homeowners, VA grants for veterans, housing programs run by cities and counties, and nonprofits. Pick your state above to see the programs near you.
Does Medicare pay for home modifications?
Original Medicare generally does not pay for home changes like grab bars or walk-in showers. Some Medicare Advantage plans include limited safety benefits. Medicaid is more likely to help if you qualify.
Who should I call first?
Your local Area Agency on Aging. It is free and knows the local programs. Find it through the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.
How we work
Every program and price on this site links to its source and shows when we checked it. We do not take money to list programs, and we never charge you for grant information. Read how we research and how we make money.