Aging in Place Checklist: 25 Home Upgrades for a Safer, More Independent Home in Philadelphia

An aging in place checklist is a room-by-room list of the changes that let someone keep living in their own home safely as their body changes. This one covers 25 upgrades, from grab bars and lighting to ramps and stair lifts, in a sensible order for most Philadelphia homes.

Nobody wakes up one morning and decides the house has become a problem. It happens quietly: a hand that now reaches for the banister, a bathroom you avoid at night, a front step that has started to feel taller. If any of that sounds familiar, our guide to the 9 warning signs to start home modifications for elderly family members will help you judge how urgent it is. This home accessibility checklist is the next step: what to change, and in what order.

Start Here: The Three Upgrades That Matter Most

If you only do three things this month, make them these. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, according to the CDC, and bathrooms, stairs and entrances are where many of them happen.

1. The bathroom. Grab bars by the toilet and shower, plus slip-resistant flooring (items 11 and 13).
2. The stairs. Handrails on both sides, good lighting, and a stair lift if climbing has become a struggle (items 3, 6 and 18).
3. The front entrance. A ramp or a way into the house without steps (items 2 and 5).

This aging in place checklist puts the highest-risk upgrades first, and everything else on the list can follow at your own pace.

How to Use This Aging in Place Checklist

Walk through your home with a notebook, or print the home accessibility checklist at the end of this page. Mark each item Yes, No or Not needed yet. Anything marked No in the bathroom or on the stairs goes to the top of your list. If you would like a professional eye on the whole house, All Access offers virtual and in-home assessments where a licensed professional looks at how you actually move through each room.

Entrances and Doorways

1. Widen the doorways

A wheelchair or walker needs at least 32 inches of clear width to pass through a doorway, and most families aim for a 36-inch door to get there. In older Philadelphia homes, swing-clear (offset) hinges can gain an extra inch or two without opening the wall. Bigger changes belong in a full accessibility remodel.

2. Install a ramp

Steps at the front door are the barrier families notice first. A good ramp rises no more than one inch for every twelve inches of length, has a non-slip surface and carries sturdy rails. Our ADA ramp slope guide shows how to work out the length, and our wheelchair ramp options cover portable and permanent designs. Not sure which suits you? Read portable ramp vs. house ramp.

3. Add handrails on stairs and ramps

Put a sturdy rail on both sides of every staircase and ramp, one that you can wrap your hand around and that runs the full length. Rails are cheap, quick to fit and among the most reassuring changes you can make.

4. Switch to lever door handles

Round knobs are hard on arthritic hands. Lever handles work with a forearm or a closed fist, so every room stays reachable.

5. Create a safe, step-free way in

Smooth the walkway, light the path and give the home at least one entrance without steps. Keep doorway thresholds no higher than half an inch and beveled. For a small lip at a doorway, a door threshold ramp may be all you need.

Hallways, Floors and Lighting

6. Brighten every path

Aging eyes need more light. Fit bright, adjustable lighting, with motion sensors in hallways, stairways and entries.

7. Clear the hallways

Keep at least three feet of open floor for a walker or wheelchair. Move furniture, cords and clutter to the edges.

8. Choose non-slip flooring

Textured tile, non-slip vinyl or low-pile carpet reduce the chance of a slip. Remove loose rugs, which are a classic trip hazard.

9. Add smart lighting and voice controls

Voice-activated lights mean nobody has to cross a dark room to find a switch. For someone with limited mobility, that small convenience can be a real safety gain.

10. Move switches and outlets within reach

Place switches and outlets between 15 and 48 inches above the floor, which is the ADA reach range. Rocker-style switches are easier to press than toggles.

Bathroom

11. Install grab bars by the toilet, tub and shower

Grab bars are usually mounted 33 to 36 inches above the floor, fixed into wall studs or blocking, never just into drywall. Placement matters as much as strength. See our grab bar installation service and the full guide to ADA grab bar requirements.

12. Replace the bathtub with a walk-in or curbless shower

Stepping over a tub wall is one of the riskiest moves in the house. A low-threshold or curbless shower removes it. Explore our ADA showers and the roll-in shower installation guide.

13. Make wet areas slip-resistant

Wet floors need traction. Slip-resistant strips or textured flooring are more dependable than loose bath mats, which can slide.

14. Add a handheld showerhead and a shower seat

An adjustable handheld showerhead lets someone bathe while seated. Pair it with a shower chair or bench for steadier, more dignified bathing.

Kitchen

15. Adjust counter and sink heights

For wheelchair users, lower sections of counter and a sink with knee space make everyday cooking possible again.

16. Choose side-opening ovens and pull-out shelves

Reaching into a deep cabinet or across a hot oven door is awkward at any age. Side-opening ovens and pull-out shelves bring everything to hand.

17. Replace faucets with lever handles

Lever faucets are easier to turn on and off, especially with arthritis, and they are just as practical for every other member of the household.

Stairs and Moving Between Floors

18. Install a stair lift

A stair lift gives safe, effortless access between floors. Many Philadelphia homes have narrow staircases, and there are straight, curved and outdoor models, so measure the stair width before you shop. See our stair lift installation page, and read what stair lifts cost in Philadelphia.

19. Consider a platform lift or vertical lift

If someone uses a wheelchair, a platform lift carries them between levels without leaving the chair. It pairs well with a stair lift or ramp elsewhere in the house. Compare the options on our wheelchair lift page and in our vertical platform lift buying guide.

20. Add backup power for accessibility devices

Stair lifts typically run on a battery backup so they keep working in an outage. Check that the lights along the stairs and the ramp stay on too.

Bedroom and Closets

21. Leave room to move around the bed

Rearrange furniture so there is a clear path from the bed to the bathroom. Check that the bed height lets the person sit down and stand up with their feet flat on the floor.

22. Add motion-sensor night lighting

The walk from bed to bathroom at 3 a.m. is a common place for falls. Automatic lights along the way make it safer without waking anyone.

23. Make closets and storage easy to reach

Pull-down closet rods and open shelving keep everyday items within reach without stretching.

Planning and Professional Support

24. Book a home safety assessment

A specialist can spot risks that families miss because they have lived with them for years. An occupational therapist can also advise on how someone moves through the home. See our occupational and physical therapy support and schedule an assessment.

25. Work with licensed, certified professionals

Ask any contractor about licensing, certifications and experience with ADA standards, and ask how they plan around the person who will use the space. Learn more about All Access.

Aging in Place in a Philadelphia Row Home

Philadelphia row homes bring their own puzzles for home modifications for aging in place: steep, narrow staircases, a stoop at the front door and bathrooms with little room to turn. A few practical notes:

• Narrow stairs. Measure the width of the staircase first. Compact and curved stair lifts are made for tight spaces.
• A stoop at the door. A ramp may need more room than the sidewalk allows. A side or rear entrance, or a vertical platform lift, can be the better answer.
• Small bathrooms. A curbless shower and wall-mounted grab bars free up more usable space than a tub does.

Every home is different, so use this aging in place checklist as your starting point and book a professional assessment to plan the changes.

What It Costs and How to Pay for It

Costs for home modifications for aging in place vary widely with the home, so the only reliable figure comes from an assessment. What helps more than a price list is knowing the help that exists.

• Original Medicare generally does not pay for home modifications. See does Medicare cover stair lifts.
• Veterans may qualify for HISA, SAH or SHA grants. See our Veteran Affairs page.
• Philadelphia has local programs, such as the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s SHARP home repairs and modifications for income-eligible older homeowners and PHDC’s Adaptive Modifications Program. Check current eligibility before you apply.
• Our guide to aging in place funding options explains Medicaid waivers, tax deductions and other sources.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aging in Place

What is an aging in place checklist?

It is a room-by-room list of home changes that help someone stay in their own home safely as their needs change. It covers entrances, bathrooms, kitchens, stairs and bedrooms, and puts the highest-risk changes first.

What are the most important home modifications for aging in place?

Start with grab bars and slip-resistant surfaces in the bathroom, handrails and good lighting on the stairs, and a step-free or ramped entrance. Those three areas are where many home falls happen.

How much do aging in place home modifications cost?

It depends on the home and the scope of work, from a few simple fixtures to a full bathroom remodel. A professional assessment gives you a real figure for your house, and several funding options may offset the cost.

Does Medicare pay for aging in place home modifications?

Original Medicare generally does not cover home modifications such as ramps, stair lifts or grab bars. Medicaid waivers, some Medicare Advantage plans, VA grants and local Philadelphia programs may help, depending on eligibility.

When should we start?

Before a fall forces the issue. If stairs, bathing or the front step have become difficult, begin with the top three upgrades on the aging in place checklist and book an assessment. Our guide to the 9 warning signs can help you decide.

Can a stair lift fit a narrow Philadelphia staircase?

Often, yes. Compact, curved and standing models exist for narrow stairs, but the width, the landings and who will use the lift all matter. An in-home assessment confirms what fits.

Ready to Start Your Aging in Place Checklist?

You do not have to tackle all 25 upgrades alone. All Access provides home accessibility solutions across Philadelphia, from ramps and grab bars to stair lifts and bathroom remodels, with licensed, certified professionals and clear pricing. Contact us to book a virtual or in-home assessment and get a plan for your home.