how a home modification works
a home modification can refer to a range of changes alterations and repairs that make a home more livable for individuals with different physical abilities the price of home modifications can be as little as a few hundred dollars although more extensive renovations can cost many thousands of dollars for larger projects some financing options may be available some contractors even offer reduced rates and charge sliding scale fees based on a senior s income and ability to pay the national resource center on supportive housing and home modifications is one of the best resources in the u s it offers training education courses and technical assistance 1because of the breadth of the term some people may think that home modifications include any type of home improvement or home renovation while in some cases home modifications might also be considered a home improvement or renovation home modifications specifically refer to alterations made to a home in order to make it more accessible for people with different physical abilities including elderly people the ada established standards for accessible design for public accommodations that include creating automatic doorways ramps and elevators to accommodate wheelchairs water fountains must be made available at heights that individuals with disabilities can reach 2home modifications for the elderlymany homes may not be equipped to house individuals as they age there are structural barriers that can impinge upon an older individual s independence and make it so they are unable to go about their daily routines without assistance many older adults live in single family homes that were built in a time when physical accessibility was not a consideration even now there are few building requirements concerning physical accessibility in single family homes the structural incompatibility can make it impossible for an individual to stay in their own home as they grow older sometimes forcing them to move into a retirement home if the individual decides to stay in their home they may need to hire a caretaker an ongoing expense many people cannot afford examples of home modificationshome modifications range in price and project scope some examples of home modifications include re arranging furniture widening external pathways or installing any of the following 