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Most useful modifications
Bathroom:
- Grab bars anchored into studs or blocking (not suction cups)
- Handheld showerhead and shower chair or tub transfer bench
- Curbless (roll-in) shower or low-threshold shower
- Raised toilet seat or comfort-height toilet
- Non-slip flooring and good lighting
- Lever faucets, anti-scald valves
- Wider door or offset hinges
Elsewhere:
- Ramps or zero-step entries
- Stair lifts or railings on both sides of stairs
- Lever door handles and rocker light switches
- Lowered counters or pull-out shelves
- Visual doorbells and alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Lighting and contrast for people with low vision
Get an assessment
An occupational therapist (OT) or certified aging-in-place specialist can assess your home and recommend specific changes. A doctor’s referral may make the assessment covered by insurance. Many Area Agencies on Aging and Centers for Independent Living can arrange assessments.
Funding sources
| Source | Who |
|---|---|
| Medicaid home and community-based services waivers | People eligible for long-term services; often cover environmental modifications |
| VA HISA grants | Veterans needing medically necessary modifications ($6,800 or $2,000 lifetime, depending on service connection) |
| VA SAH and SHA grants | Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities (up to $126,526 and $25,350 in FY 2026) |
| USDA Section 504 | Rural very low-income homeowners (loans; grants for 62+) |
| Area Agencies on Aging | Older adults; Older Americans Act funds and referrals |
| State assistive technology programs | Device loans, reuse programs, low-interest loans |
| Local rehab programs | Low-income homeowners |
| Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity | Free or low-cost modifications |
| Vocational rehabilitation | Modifications needed for employment |
Renters
- Request a reasonable modification in writing, explaining the disability-related need.
- In private housing, you typically pay, and the landlord may require restoration of interior changes when you move out in some cases.
- In federally assisted housing, the provider generally pays for structural modifications.
- Ask about transferring to an accessible unit if available.
See reasonable accommodations and modifications.
Hiring a contractor
- Look for experience with accessibility (CAPS certification is one indicator).
- Ensure grab bars are installed to support body weight.
- Get permits for structural and plumbing work.
- Follow the OT’s specifications for heights and clearances.
Typical cost ranges (planning only)
| Modification | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Grab bars (installed properly) | Low hundreds per bar including labor |
| Handheld shower and slide bar | Under a few hundred dollars |
| Raised toilet seat / comfort-height toilet | Tens to several hundred dollars |
| Tub-to-shower conversion or curbless shower | Several thousand to more than $10,000 |
| Widening a doorway | Hundreds to a few thousand dollars |
| Ramp | Varies widely by length and material |
| Stair lift | Several thousand dollars |
Get local quotes; costs vary widely by region and home condition.
Design tips from occupational therapists
- Place grab bars where the person actually needs support (entering the tub, rising from the toilet), not just where they fit.
- Use contrasting colors for bars and edges to help people with low vision.
- Choose non-slip flooring with a matte finish.
- Leave clear floor space for turning a wheelchair or walker where possible.
- Install lever faucets and a handheld shower within easy reach from a seated position.
- Use nightlights along the path from bedroom to bathroom.
Fall prevention beyond the bathroom
Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults. Along with bathroom changes:
- Remove trip hazards like loose rugs and cords.
- Add handrails on both sides of stairs.
- Improve lighting in hallways and stairways.
- Keep frequently used items within reach.
- Review medications and vision with a health provider.
Renters: who pays and restoration
In private housing, landlords must allow reasonable modifications but may require that you pay and, for interior changes, restore the unit when you move out if reasonable (not for changes that don’t interfere with the next tenant, like grab bars that could stay). In federally assisted housing, the provider generally pays for modifications unless it would be an undue financial and administrative burden.
Grant-year check: VA’s cited page lists FY 2026 SAH/SHA amounts. That fiscal year ended September 30, 2026. For a current application, confirm the applicable fiscal-year maximum and remaining entitlement directly with VA before budgeting for a project.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for grab bars or bathroom remodeling?
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited supplemental benefits for safety devices. Medicaid waivers, VA, and local programs are more common funding sources.
Can I modify my rental for a disability?
Yes. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to allow reasonable modifications needed because of a disability. In private housing you usually pay; in federally assisted housing the provider generally pays unless it’s an undue burden.
What is universal design?
Design that works for people of all ages and abilities—like zero-step entries, wider doors, lever handles, and curbless showers—so homes don’t need major changes later.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
Update note (2026-10-01): Identified VA grant figures as FY 2026 amounts and added a current-year verification step.
- Home modificationAdministration for Community Living
- Disability housing grants for veteransU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Reasonable modificationsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Older adult fall preventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
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