Home Modifications: Making Everyday Life Easier & Safer at Home

Many falls happen at home, and making changes to your home can be an important part of preventing falls. Home modifications can also make it easier and safer to move around, use the bathroom, bathe, get in and out of bed, and enter and leave your home.

Research supports individualized home-safety assessments and modifications, particularly for people who are already at higher risk of falling (see end of article). Occupational therapists are particularly well suited to assess how a person performs everyday activities in the home and recommend individualized modifications.

The cost estimates below are approximate 2026 planning ranges. Actual costs can vary considerably by location, materials, labor, and the amount of structural work required.

Grab bars

Grab bars can be useful anywhere you need extra support when getting up, sitting down, stepping over something, or changing positions. They are not just for the shower.

Possible locations include:

• In the shower or bathtub
• Next to the toilet
• Near the bed, if getting in or out of bed is difficult
• Near a favorite chair
• Along a step or other location where you need to steady yourself

Grab bars should be securely installed into appropriate wall structure. A professionally installed grab bar is generally much safer than a towel bar or other object that was not designed to support your weight.

Estimated cost: Approximately $150–$300 per professionally installed grab bar is a reasonable 2026 planning range, although local prices can be higher or lower.

Bathroom and toileting modifications

The bathroom is an important area to consider because wet surfaces, transfers, and changes in height can all increase fall risk.

Helpful modifications may include:

• A raised toilet seat or toilet riser, which can make getting on and off the toilet easier. Estimated cost: approximately $30–$200 for the equipment itself.
• Grab bars next to the toilet. Estimated cost: approximately $150–$300 per professionally installed bar.
• A shower or tub grab bar
• A shower seat or bench. Estimated cost: approximately $30–$400 depending on the type.
• A handheld shower wand so you can bathe while seated. Estimated cost: approximately $50–$300, depending on the equipment and installation.
• Non-slip flooring or properly secured non-slip mats. A professionally installed non-slip floor treatment may cost approximately $200–$600; replacing flooring can cost substantially more.
• A walk-in or roll-in shower when stepping over the side of a tub or shower is unsafe. A walk-in shower conversion commonly costs approximately $3,000–$10,000, while a more extensive roll-in accessible shower can cost approximately $7,000–$18,000.
• Improved bathroom lighting
• A wheelchair-accessible bathroom when needed

The cost of a bathroom modification can increase considerably when plumbing, flooring, walls, or doorways need to be changed.

Transfers and getting in and out of bed

If you have difficulty getting up from a bed or chair, modifications and equipment can make the movement safer.

Options may include:

• Bed rails or assist rails
• A transfer pole placed near the bed or another transfer location
• A properly positioned grab bar
• A higher or appropriately positioned bed
• A sturdy armchair with arms that make it easier to push up
• Rearranging furniture to provide enough room for a walker or other mobility device

Many of these smaller equipment changes cost substantially less than structural remodeling, although prices vary by product and installation requirements. For example, a professionally installed grab bar is generally in the range of $150–$300 per bar.

The right equipment depends on how you move and where your weakness or balance problems occur. An occupational or physical therapist can help determine what is safest.

Stairs, ramps, and home access

If stairs are difficult or unsafe, consider:

• Sturdy handrails on stairs. Professional stair-railing installation commonly costs approximately $500–$1,300, although more complex installations can cost more.
• Handrails on both sides when needed
• Better lighting on stairs
• High-contrast markings on stair edges when appropriate
• Removing objects from stairways
• Ramps for wheelchair or walker access. A professionally installed wheelchair ramp commonly costs approximately $1,100–$3,600 nationally, although longer or more complex ramps can cost substantially more.
• Threshold modifications. Small threshold ramps may cost approximately $40–$300, depending on the size and type.
• Stair lifts or chair lifts when appropriate
• Improved access through doorways

A stair lift is a much larger expense. In 2026, stair-lift installation commonly ranges from approximately $2,300–$24,000, with an average of about $7,050 reported by HomeAdvisor. Straight stair lifts generally cost less than curved models.

Indoor and outdoor railings can be important. A railing should be positioned so that it can actually be used while climbing or descending the stairs rather than simply being present.

For someone who uses a wheelchair, a walker, or has significant difficulty with stairs, a ramp or lift may make it possible to enter and leave the home more safely.

Other common home safety changes

Other modifications may include:

• Removing loose throw rugs or securing them appropriately
• Clearing pathways of furniture and clutter
• Improving lighting, particularly along nighttime walking routes
• Adding night-lights
• Moving frequently used items to easy-to-reach locations
• Installing lever-style door handles when turning a traditional knob is difficult
• Improving access through narrow doorways
• Using non-slip surfaces where appropriate
• Rearranging furniture to provide a clear path for a walker or wheelchair
• Making sure electrical cords are not crossing walking paths

Sometimes the safest solution is not a new piece of equipment but simply changing where things are located.

If a doorway needs to be physically widened to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility device, costs can be substantially higher. Current estimates are approximately $600–$2,000 for many doorway-widening projects, with more complicated structural work costing more.

Who can evaluate your home?

An occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) can assess how you move through your home and identify modifications that are appropriate for you. An OT can be particularly helpful in looking at everyday activities such as bathing, toileting, dressing, getting in and out of bed, and moving around the kitchen.

A professional home evaluation is especially useful if you have already fallen, have difficulty with balance or walking, use a walker or wheelchair, or have difficulty with transfers.

HōttoCare is also able to provide an initial in-home safety assessment at no cost for eligible individuals through its services. (Note that these are meant to be for initial screening purposes only, and are not conducted formally by an occupational therapist).

Will Medicare pay for home modifications?

Original Medicare generally does not pay for permanent structural home modifications simply because they would make the home safer. Examples of modifications not covered are:

• installing grab bars
• remodeling a shower
• building a ramp
• installing a stair lift

However, Medicare Part B can cover certain medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME), such as:

• Walkers
• Canes
• Commode chairs
• Wheelchairs
• Other qualifying equipment

These are different from permanent modifications to the home.

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Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional benefits that Original Medicare does not. CMS permits Medicare Advantage plans to offer certain structural home modifications, such as:

• widening doorways
• permanent mobility ramps
• easier-to-use door hardware

when the benefit meets the applicable requirements. Whether a particular plan actually offers the benefit and what it covers varies by plan.

Check your specific Medicare Advantage plan before paying for a modification.

Will Medi-Cal pay for home modifications?

In California, Medi-Cal's CalAIM Community Supports include Environmental Accessibility Adaptations (also called Home Modifications). Depending on eligibility and your Medi-Cal managed care plan, these can include medically necessary modifications such as:

• grab bars
• ramps
• doorway widening
• stair lifts
• bathroom modifications

The CalAIM benefit generally has a lifetime maximum of $7,500 for Environmental Accessibility Adaptations. DHCS guidance states that the modifications must provide a direct medical or remedial benefit and comply with applicable building codes.

The modification generally must be medically necessary and related to your health, safety, or ability to function independently at home. Depending on the plan and situation, an evaluation and medical documentation may be required, along with prior authorization. If you rent your home, written permission from the property owner may also be required.

Coverage details and the exact equipment or materials approved can vary by Medi-Cal plan. For example, some plans may limit the type or appearance of an item such as a grab bar.

Start by talking to your Medi-Cal health plan (ask for “Environmental Accessibility Adaptations (Home Modifications)” Community Support under CalAIM.). They will often do an assessment to approve the modification.

Do not purchase anything yourself before contacting them.

Will the VA pay for home modifications?

The VA has several programs that may help eligible Veterans with home modifications.

The VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program can cover medically necessary improvements to a Veteran's primary residence, including certain modifications that improve access to the home and essential bathroom facilities. Examples include:

• permanent ramps
• roll-in showers
• other structural changes

The HISA lifetime benefit is generally up to $6,800 for qualifying service-connected disabilities and certain related situations, or up to $2,000 for other qualifying disabilities.

Importantly, HISA does not cover every type of mobility equipment. For example, VA guidance specifically excludes:

• removable equipment such as portable ramps
• stair glides/stair lifts under HISA

The VA also has separate housing grants, including the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) programs, for Veterans with certain qualifying service-connected disabilities.

For fiscal year 2026, the maximum:

• SAH grant is $126,526
• SHA grant is $25,350

These programs have specific disability and eligibility requirements and are separate from HISA.

A practical first step is to talk with your VA primary care provider about your difficulty with mobility or falls and ask whether an occupational therapy home evaluation would be appropriate. VA occupational therapists and other clinicians can help determine what type of modification or VA benefit may apply.

Do not begin major work and assume the VA will reimburse you afterward. Many VA programs require medical justification, approval, and specific documentation before the work is performed.

Does research support home modifications as a way of decreasing falls?

In short, yes.

In one study summarized by the CDC, an occupational therapist evaluated the home and worked with older adults who had previously fallen to make individualized changes; fall rates were reduced by 46%. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials found an overall 7% reduction in falls, with greater benefit when modifications were thorough, tailored to the person's environment, and followed up appropriately. A newer 2026 systematic review of 10 randomized trials involving 3,191 older adults found that home hazard assessment and environmental modification reduced fall incidence by about 31% (odds ratio 0.69).

These findings suggest that a professional assessment tailored to the person's specific abilities, mobility problems, and home environment may be more useful than simply completing a general home-safety checklist on your own.

Citations

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). STEADI: What Works for Community-Dwelling Older Adults — Falls Compendium. Includes the home-modification studies, including the occupational-therapy home-visit interventions. Pighills AC, Torgerson DJ, Sheldon TA, Drummond AE, Bland JM. Environmental assessment and modification to prevent falls in older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2011;59(1):26–33.
2. Lektip C, Chaovalit S, Wattanapisit A, et al. Home hazard modification programs for reducing falls in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ. 2023;11:e15699.
3. Fauziningtyas R, Dhamanti I, Wahyuni SD, Astuti TP, Novitasari D, Chong MC. Effectiveness of Home Hazard Assessment and Environmental Modification on Fall-Related Outcomes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Community Health. 2026;51(3):513–525. doi:10.1007/s10900-026-01551-4.
4. California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). CalAIM Community Supports — Environmental Accessibility Adaptations (Home Modifications). Describes covered modifications, medical-necessity requirements, and related documentation. 
5. Health Plan of San Mateo. CalAIM Community Supports. Describes the $7,500 lifetime maximum for Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and the PT/OT evaluation and medical-order requirements. 
6. California Department of Health Care Services. CalAIM Community Supports. Environmental Accessibility Adaptations include modifications such as ramps, grab bars, doorway widening, stair lifts, and accessible bathrooms. 
7. Medicare.gov. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Coverage. Information regarding Medicare coverage of medically necessary durable medical equipment. 
8. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA). Current HISA eligibility, covered improvements, lifetime benefit amounts, and exclusions. 
9. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Housing Adaptation Programs. Information regarding HISA and VA housing-adaptation programs. 
10. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Housing Assistance for Veterans. Information regarding VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grants.
11. HomeAdvisor. Cost to Install Stair Railings / Stair Lifts / Disability Ramps. Used only for approximate consumer cost estimates; actual costs vary substantially by location, materials, and installation complexity