32 items that make living at home more accessible, according to aging-in-place experts

Our featured picks

To illuminate dark hallways

Mr Beams Motion Sensing Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Lights, 2-Pack

So you can control home devices without having to get up

Amazon Echo Show 11

To easily get in and out of the shower

Stander Wonder Pole

So long cables don’t become a fall hazard

XHF Adhesive Cable Wire Clips, 120-Count

You might think making a home more accessible is only important when aging in place, but the truth is, even those who are fully able-bodied can benefit from at least some changes to their space. But as home modification experts will tell you, nearly everyone will either be disabled at some point in their life or live with someone who has a disability, even if only temporarily.

As a result, accessibility is an important consideration for us all. “It applies to someone recovering from surgery, living with arthritis, dealing with a neurological condition or simply becoming less steady over time,” Dan Davenport, the CEO of Age Safe America, said. “The best time to make a home safer is before someone gets hurt, not after.”

When putting safeguards in place, you don’t necessarily have to make expensive, permanent changes that affect the structure of your home, though sometimes that is necessary. Often, you can implement smaller, temporary home upgrades that make getting around much easier.

To determine which solutions could make your home safer — both for the people who live there and for visitors — I talked to home remodeling and aging-in-place experts. Additionally, I considered which home products my own relatives use to make their lives more comfortable and asked my colleagues here at CNN Underscored to do the same. From grabber tools to smart devices to motion sensor lights, these are the items that could drastically improve life at home.

Best home accessibility products

Nourislif 7-Piece Hip Kit

Last year, CNN Underscored editorial director Chelsea Stone’s mom had a hip replacement and subsequently bought this “hip kit,” which comes with seven items that can prove helpful for people with limited mobility, including a shoe horn, sock aid, grabber tool and back scratcher. If you don’t need every item in the kit, of course, you can purchase the same items individually. Davenport recommends grabber tools by the brand Vive, which can be safer than using a step stool in some instances.

APT Floor Marking Tape

Many homes, especially older homes, have uneven thresholds throughout, and Emily Nabors, the associate director of innovation at the Center for Healthy Aging, said marking or removing them can make getting around easier. If you’re not in the position to take on a remodeling project, merely marking those spots with brightly colored tape can help prevent stumbles and falls when moving around the home.

EZ-Access Aluminum Portable Threshold Ramp

Multiple experts I talked to, including Dan Bawden, the president and CEO of Legal Eagle Contractors, Co. and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), said entryways are one of the most accident-causing areas in homes. “As soon as people have some sort of a mobility issue, if they have steps to get up into the house, just the entry points to the home can be impediments,” he said. Bawden added that anyone with good handyman skills can install a ramp, though you can always hire a contractor too. Davenport recommends the ramps from this brand for people who use walkers and wheelchairs. They come in multiple heights and can be drilled into the ground for secure installation.

EZ-Access Transitions Angled Welcome Entry Mat

For a threshold transition that requires no drilling, EZ-Access also makes this slip-resistant rubber welcome mat, which Julie Overton, a senior learning and development specialist at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology’s Fall Prevention Center of Excellence (FPCE), recommends. “Raised doorway thresholds can sometimes feel like Mount Everest for someone using a wheelchair, scooter or walker,” she said. “We have found that affordable mini-threshold ramps can make the doorway easier to cross.” This mat comes in different heights and can be trimmed to fit the exact width of your doorway.

Article Stark 2-Tier Shelving Unit

Entering a home can also be complicated if you’re carrying mail or groceries. To simplify things, Bawden suggests installing what he calls a bracketed “package shelf” in your entryway where you can place items as soon as you walk in to free up your hands. He specifically mentioned granite for the material, though you can also go with something like this wooden two-tier shelf from Article, which extends out 9 inches. Best of all, you can install it at whatever height is most convenient for you.

Rev-A-Shelf Adjustable Pull-Down Closet Rod

Getting clothes out of a closet can be needlessly difficult, especially if they’re on a tall rod. That’s why Mason Smeltzer, the senior vice president of program operations at United Disabilities Services, recommends installing a pull-down closet rod like this one to bring clothes down to waist height. The rod comes in three sizes, though its width is also adjustable. You can even install multiple units in one closet to increase storage space while still keeping clothes easily accessible.

XHF Adhesive Cable Wire Clips, 120-Count

To make the common areas of your home more accessible, Nabors suggests securing electrical cords to walls or floors. Instead of using tape, which could prove too flimsy in the long run, try these cable clips, which can be adhered to a variety of surfaces for a more durable hold.

Velcro Brand Industrial-Strength Tape

Area rugs with curled corners are a tripping hazard Bawden sees regularly in his work. Many of his clients refuse to get rid of their rugs, so the next best thing is to secure the corners to the floor. He uses industrial-strength Velcro for this, which you can get at Amazon or home improvement stores like The Home Depot. “Before Velcro, we used double-sided carpet tape, but that never lasted more than six months or so,” he said.

Boomiboo Boot Jack

My grandma usually spends each winter at my parents’ house. She has bad knees that make walking and bending down difficult, and this past holiday season, I noticed a few new items my parents got for the house to make her stay more comfortable. One of them was a boot jack very similar to this one, which they kept by the shoe rack in the garage. Whereas she used to have to sit down to remove her shoes, she could now do so in an instant without discomfort.

HBTower Step Ladder

Another item my parents got for my grandma was a step ladder, specifically one like this that has a handle she could hold on to while climbing. This came after she stumbled and almost fell backward while trying to use a basic step stool in the kitchen, so she felt much more stable using the ladder.

KC Group Store Foldable Rattan Dining Chairs, Set of 2

According to Nabors, even just adding extra places to sit throughout the home can be helpful for older people. For example, if getting dressed feels tiring, place a chair in your bedroom or closet. You could try foldable chairs like these that fold flat when not in use so they don’t become an obstacle or something with a padded seat and back if you could use the extra support.

CalMyotis Furniture Corner Protectors, 12-Pack

Although furniture corner protectors are typically used in homes with babies and toddlers, Bawden said they’re a good idea for homes with elderly people at risk of falling too. Of the countless options online, these caught my eye because they’re transparent and won’t mess with the look of your furniture, all while keeping you safer from injuries at home.

HealthSmart Expandable Door Hinges, 2-Pack

“Narrow doorways can be a significant obstacle for someone using a mobility device,” Overton said. “While doorways can be widened structurally, [it] can be expensive.” She added that a more cost-effective alternative is to replace existing door hinges with expandable offset door hinges, like these. Made to swing a door clear of its opening, they typically provide 2 inches of extra clearance, helping people who use mobility devices go between rooms more easily.

Hzbl-LP 3-Tier Pull-Down Spice Rack

Bawden mentioned that high-up storage spots can pose risks for some people, particularly in the kitchen. “If you have all your dishes in an upper cabinet now, and suddenly it’s hard to reach up and lift pots and pans and dishes and bring them down to the countertop, there are a whole bunch of solutions that we put into kitchens for people to make it easier,” he said. A simple solution is to install a pull-down spice rack. A professional organizer recommended this one to CNN Underscored for shorter people, but it’s also a viable solution for others with limited mobility.

Moen Home Care 24-Inch Stainless Steel Grab Bar

Nearly all the experts told me about the importance of installing grab bars, especially in the bathroom. Smeltzer specifically suggests putting them around the toilet and shower. Davenport likes the grab bars from Moen, which come in different styles, though Overton stressed that you should choose a color that contrasts with the wall for easy visibility. Also, you definitely want to make sure the grab bars are installed securely, so consider hiring a professional to do it for you when in doubt.

Stander Wonder Pole

On a similar note, Davenport said the certified specialists he works with frequently recommend this tension-mounted support pole for the bathroom, though you can place it in any room where you need help getting around, even if it’s just getting out of bed. Because it doesn’t require drilling, the pole isn’t a permanent modification but can still significantly help prevent falls.

Canopy Handheld Filtered Shower Head

To make bathing easier, Nabors recommends an adjustable handheld shower head. CNN Underscored fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw likes this one from Canopy when it comes to handheld styles, so much so that she deemed one of the best filtered shower heads in our testing. It has a 67-inch hose and comes with a kit for seamless installation. She said its built-in filter removes chlorine without adding too much bulk, and the scalp massager attachment turns showering into a “spa-like experience.”

Read our review

Medline Shower Chair

If taking a shower feels tiring, consider getting a shower chair. This one, which Davenport recommends, has lots of helpful features to keep you stable and comfortable in the tub, including nonslip feet, an adjustable seat height and a padded backrest. Davenport also noted that this tub transfer bench could be a worthy addition to a bathroom if you need help getting in and out of the tub.

Squatty Potty Original Bathroom Toilet Stool

Straining in the bathroom is a problem that occurs at any age, and the Squatty Potty is a simple, affordable solution. CNN Underscored associate editor Jillian Tracy uses it every day and can't recommend it enough. “It’s not the sexiest bathroom addition by any means, but it does keep evacuations easy and efficient, eliminating strain on the colon and easing pressure on the pelvic floor,” she said. She added that because the stool tucks neatly underneath her toilet and is easily maneuverable, it’s not a trip hazard either.

Read our review

Drive Medical Premium Plastic Raised Toilet Seat

Does your low toilet seat height make going to the bathroom needlessly tricky? Try this raised toilet seat that Davenport recommends, which adds 5 inches of height to your existing seat so you can get on and off more easily. The removable armrests offer extra leverage too.

Tushy Classic 3.0 Bidet Attachment

Bidets can also significantly improve accessibility in the bathroom because they let you clean yourself effectively without any uncomfortable twisting or reaching. “Bidets have become high-tech, essentially automated hygiene systems that can be helpful to individuals with reduced dexterity, strength and mobility,” Overton said. CNN Underscored sustainable living editor Kai Burkhardt has spent years testing over 30 bidets and said this Tushy option is the best bidet attachment available. In our testing, it has the most straightforward setup, most comfortable stream and most easily adjustable nozzle to ensure a proper clean.

Read our review

Kwikset Singapore Square Door Handle

Some people with arthritis or reduced hand mobility might find round doorknobs difficult to twist. In such cases, Smeltzer suggests swapping them out with lever-style door pulls because you can operate them with an open palm or elbow. This handle style is good for bedrooms and bathrooms because it’s lockable and reversible, so you can use it on either left- or right-handed doors.

LifeGrip Transparent Anti-Slip Tape

In his work, Bawden sometimes puts new nonslip floors in people’s homes, primarily to combat slipperiness in bathrooms. He said you can put down nonslip tape like this as a lower-cost alternative. “There are nonslip strips that you can peel and stick and put them down on top of floors, on the floor of a tub, on the floor of a bathroom,” he said. “I often put them on wooden stairs or in the right place on the stair tread, closer to the leading edge, so when people are going up and down, their feet can't slip.” And because this anti-slip tape is clear, it won’t detract from your home’s aesthetic either.

Best smart home accessibility devices

Ring Battery Doorbell

Brian Meussner, the president of Mr. Handyman, said smart devices like video doorbells “add convenience, safety and independence when paired with physical home updates.” My parents (and many other people I know) love their Ring video doorbell because it lets them see who’s at the door without having to get up. For seniors, this can help prevent discomfort and falls.

Amazon Echo Show 11

Stone’s mom relies on an Amazon Echo for a few different things. It pairs with other Alexa-compatible devices so the user can control their thermostat, smart locks and other home features from one central hub. “Voice assistants like the Amazon Echo or Google Nest can also be very helpful," Davenport said. "They allow people to control lights, set medication reminders, make phone calls or ask for help without having to get up or search for a phone.”

Philips Hue Smart Plug

Smeltzer said a smart plug like this one from Philips Hue “completely eliminates the need for someone with limited mobility to rush to the door or lean over furniture to turn on a lamp.” This handy gadget turns any light into a smart light that you can control with your voice or smart home assistant, even if it’s not compatible with a Hue smart bulb.

Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs, 2-Pack

Compatible with smartphones and voice control through your smart home assistant, these light bulbs, which CNN Underscored associate updates writer Maxwell Shukuya uses in his home, offer countless color and brightness settings, so you don’t have to leave your recliner to switch up the ambiance in your living room. And because you can control them through the Govee app, you can leave them on while you’re away to keep your home safe or switch them off if you’re out and realize you accidentally left the lights on.

Mr Beams Motion Sensing Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Lights, 2-Pack

“Mr. Beams motion-sensor lights are one of the simplest improvements a household can make,” Davenport said. “They’re inexpensive, battery-powered and they help eliminate those nighttime trips in the dark.” These ceiling lights are ideal for a dark hallway, but you can also look into motion-sensor LED light strips for areas like under kitchen or bathroom cabinets, especially if you’re one to get up at night to use the bathroom or fetch a glass of water.

Enbrighten Motion Select SleepLite Night Light

Nabors said you can increase safety at night by installing night lights between rooms. This light detects motion from 20 feet away and is powered by the outlet, so you never have to worry about replacing a bulb.

Zstarr Motorized Smart Blind

Meussner listed automated blinds as another helpful smart feature. These motorized blinds were featured in last year’s HGTV Smart Home and come in a bunch of neutral finishes, so you’re bound to find one that matches your interior decor perfectly. Plus, they’re operated either via the included remote control or all models of Alexa and Google Home.

Apple Watch Series 11

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or an elderly loved one, there are straightforward ways to ensure safety in single-resident homes. “For someone living alone, devices with automatic fall detection like the Apple Watch or medical alert systems from companies like Medical Guardian can provide an extra layer of protection because they can summon help even if the person can’t reach a phone,” Davenport said. One of our favorite features of this version of the Apple Watch is that it has a battery life of up to 24 hours, making it even safer for monitoring than previous models because it’s less likely to die in the middle of the day.

Read our review

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

By now, you get the idea that certain smart home devices can help you control things in your home without having to walk over to them. Another example of this that Nabors mentioned is a smart thermostat. Even if you’re merely lying in bed, why leave your cozy resting place to adjust your home’s temperature when you can do it through your phone? We also like the Nest Learning Thermostat because it learns your heating and cooling preferences and, over time, automatically adjusts the temperature to align with them.

More ways to make your home accessible

The most important thing in regard to making your home accessible is considering your and other residents’ specific needs. As Steve Nolan, the owner of Next Day Access North Suburban Chicago and Greater Rockford, Illinois, explained, everyone’s capabilities are different. “For some people, something as simple as a grab bar or safety railing placed at strategic locations near steps or the bathroom is all they need,” he said. “For other people, motorized lifts or removing a bathtub in favor of a no- or low-threshold entrance into the shower becomes necessary as even one step becomes too difficult.”

Even simply rearranging furniture to remove obstacles counts as a home modification, which Overton defined as “converting or adapting the environment in order to make performing tasks easier, reduce accidents and support independent living.” In addition to adding assistive devices like grab bars, she explained that you can also significantly reduce potential hazards by removing clutter and area rugs and changing the places where certain activities happen, like sleeping on the first floor instead of the second floor if you find it difficult to climb stairs.

If you can get by making temporary changes to your home like the ones on this list, you can probably avoid costly renovations. Sometimes, though, changes to the structure of a home are necessary for long-term safety, in which case you can seek out a CAPS contractor. Bawden said this sometimes looks like creating level thresholds and installing skylights to bring in natural light and help prevent falls. In other instances, widening doorways and hallways, making sure there’s enough space in a bathroom for people who use walkers to have a substantial turning radius and simply creating more space all around are key to helping people with limited mobility. Nolan similarly emphasized that a lack of space is the most common issue he sees in his work. “So many homes, particularly older homes in markets where I live like Chicago, are not built with accessibility in mind,” he said. “Something like making sure doors are 36 inches wide makes a huge difference.”

What’s more, you should ideally make sure your home has these basic structural necessities before implementing smart devices. Davenport said technology is best layered on top of those basics, not used as a replacement for them. “We encourage families to get the fundamentals right first: better lighting, secure handrails, grab bars, clear walkways and no trip hazards, and then layer the smart devices on top,” he said. “The smartest device in the house won’t do much good in a home that isn’t safe to begin with.” Nabors added that every state has an Assistive Technology Program, which is designed to help elderly people and people with disabilities live independently at home through classes like smart home technology demonstrations.

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:

• Dan Bawden, president and CEO of Legal Eagle Contractors, Co. and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)
• Dan Davenport, CEO of Age Safe America
• Brian Meussner, president of Mr. Handyman
• Emily Nabors, associate director of innovation at the Center for Healthy Aging
• Steve Nolan, owner of Next Day Access North Suburban Chicago and Greater Rockford, Illinois
• Julie Overton, senior learning and development specialist at the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology’s Fall Prevention Center of Excellence (FPCE)
• Mason Smeltzer, senior vice president of program operations at United Disabilities Services

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored associate home and gifts editor Nikol Slatinska talked to accessibility, home remodeling and aging-in-place experts about the ways in which people can make their homes more accessible to all residents and visitors. She also included products CNN Underscored editors and their relatives use to make their day-to-day life at home more comfortable.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.