{"id":20419,"date":"2025-03-25T10:31:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T16:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/?p=20419"},"modified":"2025-05-16T10:20:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T16:20:16","slug":"age-home-modifications-can-promote-aging-in-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home-modifications-can-promote-aging-in-place\/","title":{"rendered":"AGE | Home Modifications Can Promote Aging in Place\u200b"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"20419\" class=\"elementor elementor-20419\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cd7a1c5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2cd7a1c5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;position&quot;:&quot;fixed&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42541d46 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"42541d46\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b0594e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6b0594e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"934\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-20984\" alt=\"AGE logo with heart and two figures icon, linking to the Adapt, Grow, Empower homepage\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark.png 2000w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark-768x359.png 768w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/version-2-AGE-logo-dark-1536x717.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6216b9e6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6216b9e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-164b7f58 elementor-nav-menu__align-center elementor-nav-menu--stretch elementor-nav-menu__text-align-center elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"164b7f58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;full_width&quot;:&quot;stretch&quot;,&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i class=\\&quot;fas fa-caret-down\\&quot; aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"AGE Main menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-underline e--animation-fade\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-164b7f58\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21603\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home\/age-blog-category\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">The AGE Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21602\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Meet our AGE experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22018\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-resources\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">AGE Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-164b7f58\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21603\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-home\/age-blog-category\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">The AGE Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21602\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Meet our AGE experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22018\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-resources\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">AGE Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f604e42 e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f604e42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff221eb elementor-align-right elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ff221eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/newsletter\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Subscribe to the AGE Newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63f6bb5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"63f6bb5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2408f96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2408f96\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AGE | Home Modifications Can Promote Aging in Place\u200b<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a08442 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2a08442\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1201\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/home-mods.png\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-21840\" alt=\"Photograph of an older adult using a walker to move through a well-lit home hallway with supportive handrails and wide doorways. This image supports the UW Extension A.G.E. blog article titled &#039;Home Modifications Can Promote Aging in Place.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/home-mods.png 1201w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/home-mods-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e299713 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e299713\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b58e18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"3b58e18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors-bernard-steinman\/\" class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-2-Dr.-Bernard-Steinman-1-1.png\" alt=\"Picture of Bernard A. Steinman\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-meet-our-authors-bernard-steinman\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBernard A. Steinman\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-871bcaf elementor-widget elementor-widget-author-box\" data-id=\"871bcaf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"author-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div  class=\"elementor-author-box__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-320x-2-Kristen-Glennie.png\" alt=\"Picture of Kristen S. Glennie\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-author-box__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-author-box__name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKristen S. Glennie\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f37549 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"5f37549\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-a3a363a elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/2025\/03\/25\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-calendar\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>March 25, 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b84ae9b elementor-share-buttons--shape-rounded elementor-share-buttons--view-icon-text elementor-share-buttons--skin-gradient elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"b84ae9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_linkedin\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedIn\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_print\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on print\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-print\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-252ee98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"252ee98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you ask older people about their preferred living situation in the future, most will say that they would like to remain living in their current home for as long as possible. This is because for many people, homes have much greater meaning and sentimental value, far beyond the \u201cbricks and mortar\u201d they\u2019re made from.<\/p><p><strong>Peoples\u2019 homes are often tied to their valued memories of important life events, from raising their families, and launching their children into the world of adulthood, to growing gardens, and enjoying their pets.<\/strong><\/p><p>Over time, homes may become sacred places that are impossible to imagine being apart from. Unfortunately, the process of aging often leads to changes that can challenge our ability to remain at home, or to \u201cage in place\u201d.<\/p><p>As we grow older, the likelihood of experiencing disabilities increases. Without the proper resources to support our changing functional and cognitive abilities, many people may end up relocating to far less desirable settings, that limit our independent choices.<\/p><p>Often, when an older adult is unable to independently complete tasks like cooking, bathing and toileting, their <em>only <\/em>option is to move into more institutional settings such as an independent or assisted living apartment, or even a nursing home. In extremely rural settings, that characterize many towns in Wyoming, this can also mean having to move away from family, friends and beloved communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a477be elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6a477be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1201\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_434943657-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-21485\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_434943657-1.png 1201w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_434943657-1-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa3339c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa3339c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><u>Though age-related disability is often unavoidable, it does not have to change your quality of life. When a person\u2019s home environment is adapted to accommodate their unique abilities, many older adults are able to successfully remain in their homes and age in place. <\/u><\/p><p>For instance, a vision impairment can lead to disability in reading, watching TV, and moving about. Simple environmental changes such as acquiring appropriate prescription glasses or improving lighting can help remove those barriers and restore the person\u2019s ability to live independently.<\/p><p>The same is true for all disabilities that may prevent us from completing life\u2019s necessary activities, like bathing or preparing meals. By modifying people&#8217;s home environments, we can often accommodate those challenges.<\/p><p><strong><em>Home modifications <\/em>are adaptations to a person\u2019s current home environment, that address the physical changes older people often experience. When a person\u2019s environment meets their unique abilities, it is said to have a high \u201cperson\/environment fit\u201d.<\/strong><\/p><p>In fact, a large body of evidence has shown the benefits of home modifications to address aging-related needs. For example, home modifications can reduce the risk of falls and accidents, increase personal functioning, improve caregiving capacity, and improve the quality of life of older Wyomingites.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong><em>Home modifications<\/em> include things like adding grab bars around the toilet and bathtub or adding a shower seat and bathroom fixtures that allow a person to sit down, soap up, and direct water where it is needed to rinse off.<\/strong><\/p><p>These relatively minor modifications can drastically improve an older adult&#8217;s ability to accomplish their daily care activities \u2013 which not only supports their ability to live independently but also improves self-efficacy and confidence.<\/p><p><strong><em>Home modifications<\/em> on a large scale can enable those with major mobility difficulties to remain in their homes. For example, structural features of the home, like stairs leading to the front entryway, or narrow doorways blocking entry to important rooms can impede a wheelchair-user&#8217;s ability to move throughout the home. These challenges can be overcome, however, by adding ramps, widening doorways, and removing other large obstacles.<\/strong><\/p><p>Though the upfront cost of home modifications may sound expensive, when compared to the alternative options of long-term institutionalized living, the costs are relatively insignificant.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a687527 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a687527\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1350\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Artboard-2-copy.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-22711\" alt=\"Photograph of a well-lit living room with wide doorways, sturdy furniture, and a grab bar near the entryway\u2014demonstrating practical home modifications that support aging in place\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Artboard-2-copy.png 1350w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Artboard-2-copy-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5cfdb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5cfdb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Wyoming, the average cost of an assisted living apartment is around $6,000 <u>per month.<\/u> Private rooms in nursing homes, which are commonly paid for by the Wyoming Medicaid program, cost around $10,000 <u>per month.<\/u><\/p><p>The national average estimated costs for one-time home modifications range between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on the work that is done. Though, it is important to note that needs can continue to change as we grow older, and additional expenditures may be necessary in the future.<\/p><p><strong>Still, <em>you<\/em> can do the math.<\/strong><\/p><p>Well-conceived home modifications usually include a professional person\/home needs assessments, which are conducted by a medical professional such as a geriatric nurse or an occupational therapist. Further, it is important to involve knowledgeable contractors or handymen to ensure the modifications are done properly.<\/p><p>This team-based approach has great potential not only to save Wyomingites, their families, and the state a lot of money, but also provide the additional benefit of accommodating the widely recognized preference of older adults to age in place.<\/p><p>More information about Wyoming regional and federal resources to help implement and pay for home modifications can be viewed here <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/homemods\/\">https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/homemods\/<\/a>.<\/p><p>Or contact Kristen S. Glennie, M.S. at kglennie@uwyo.edu<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b39324e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b39324e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5193a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e5193a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c9201b elementor-posts__hover-none elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"8c9201b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:80,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:71,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:30,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24222 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-physical-activity tag-bernard-steinman\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.4.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24171\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.4.png 1200w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Age_Quat-3.4-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Falls Among Older People, and How We Can Prevent Them\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Anyone who has ever unexpectedly experienced a fall (which should be about all of us) knows the terror that occurs between the moments of our trip, slip, or stumble, the fall itself, and the jarring moment of impact!<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-falls-among-older-people-and-how-we-can-prevent-them\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Falls Among Older People, and How We Can Prevent Them\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-23207 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-financial-well-being category-mental-health category-physical-activity tag-bernard-steinman\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-23211\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Age_Quarter-2_14.png 1200w, https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Age_Quarter-2_14-768x230.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The traditional image of retirement\u2014days filled solely with leisure and relaxation\u2014is being redefined for a growing number of older adults across the nation, Wyoming included. Many individuals are choosing, or needing, to remain in the workforce well past the \u201ctraditional\u201d retirement age of around 65. This isn\u2019t just a passing phenomenon, it\u2019s a culture shift driven by economic realities, personal fulfillment, and evolving demographics.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/age-benefits-and-challenges-of-working-in-later-life\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Benefits and Challenges of Working in Later Life\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRespectful terms for aging\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64b50bda e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"64b50bda\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-556e2aaa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"556e2aaa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25626896 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25626896\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ab09e2 e-con-full elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ab09e2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b40c81a elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"2b40c81a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"mc_embed_shell\" style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;\">\n    <!-- Load Montserrat font -->\n    <link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@400&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n    <link href=\"\/\/cdn-images.mailchimp.com\/embedcode\/classic-061523.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text\/css\">\n\n    <style type=\"text\/css\">\n        \/* A.G.E Style Guide - Form Styling *\/\n        #mc_embed_signup {\n            background: #751916;\n            font-family: Georgia, serif;\n            color: #fff9ef;\n            width: 600px;\n            padding: 0;\n            border-radius: 0;\n        }\n\n        #mc_embed_signup h2 {\n            color: #fff9ef;\n            font-size: 22px;\n            font-weight: bold;\n        }\n\n        .mc-field-group label {\n            display: block;\n            font-weight: bold;\n            margin-bottom: 5px;\n            color: #fff9ef;\n        }\n\n        .mc-field-group input {\n            width: 100%;\n            padding: 10px;\n            border: 1px solid #C7B8A3;\n            border-radius: 0;\n            font-size: 16px;\n            background-color: #fff9ef;\n            color: #751916;\n        }\n\n        .mc-field-group input:focus {\n            border-color: #fff9ef;\n            outline: none;\n        }\n\n        .clear {\n            text-align: left;\n            margin-top: 15px;\n        }\n\n        \/* Updated subscribe button styling *\/\n        #mc-embedded-subscribe {\n            background-color: #fcc426 !important;\n            color: #000 !important;\n            font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif !important;\n            font-weight: 400 !important;\n            font-size: 18px;\n            padding: 12px 20px;\n            border: none;\n            border-radius: 0;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            transition: background 0.3s ease-in-out;\n        }\n\n        #mc-embedded-subscribe:hover {\n            opacity: 0.9;\n        }\n\n        .indicates-required {\n            font-size: 14px;\n            color: #fff9ef;\n        }\n\n        .asterisk {\n            color: #fcc426;\n            font-weight: bold;\n        }\n    <\/style>\n\n    <div id=\"mc_embed_signup\">\n        <form action=\"https:\/\/uwagnews.us7.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/post?u=cb8999ef298e9ea4f948d46ed&amp;id=9dd2b688cc&amp;f_id=00a642e4f0\" \n              method=\"post\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" name=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" class=\"validate\" target=\"_blank\">\n            \n            <div id=\"mc_embed_signup_scroll\">\n                <h2>Stay informed. Stay independent. Sign up for AGE updates and get Wyoming-specific expert advice on aging, right in your inbox.<\/h2>\n                \n                <div class=\"indicates-required\"><span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span> indicates required<\/div>\n                \n                <div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n                    <label for=\"mce-EMAIL\">Email Address <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"EMAIL\" class=\"required email\" id=\"mce-EMAIL\" required>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n                    <label for=\"mce-FNAME\">First Name <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n                    <input type=\"text\" name=\"FNAME\" class=\"required text\" id=\"mce-FNAME\" required>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"mc-field-group\">\n                    <label for=\"mce-LNAME\">Last Name <span class=\"asterisk\">*<\/span><\/label>\n                    <input type=\"text\" name=\"LNAME\" class=\"required text\" id=\"mce-LNAME\" required>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div id=\"mce-responses\" class=\"clear\">\n                    <div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-error-response\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/div>\n                    <div class=\"response\" id=\"mce-success-response\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"position: absolute; left: -5000px;\">\n                    <input type=\"text\" name=\"b_cb8999ef298e9ea4f948d46ed_9dd2b688cc\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"clear\">\n                    <input type=\"submit\" name=\"subscribe\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe\" class=\"button\" value=\"Subscribe\">\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/downloads.mailchimp.com\/js\/mc-validate.js\"><\/script>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        (function($) {\n            window.fnames = new Array(); \n            window.ftypes = new Array();\n            fnames[0]='EMAIL'; ftypes[0]='email';\n            fnames[1]='FNAME'; ftypes[1]='text';\n            fnames[2]='LNAME'; ftypes[2]='text';\n            fnames[3]='ADDRESS'; ftypes[3]='address';\n            fnames[4]='PHONE'; ftypes[4]='phone';\n        }(jQuery));\n        var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true);\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3af6e9bd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3af6e9bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-775e2bb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"775e2bb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fb4d502 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3fb4d502\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwyo.edu\/uwe\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"95\" src=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/UWtwoline_H_Extension_white.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-20170\" alt=\"University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension logo with Bucking Horse and Rider emblem\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fe26551 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2fe26551\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a9 April 2025<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you ask older people about their preferred living situation in the future, most will say that they would like to remain living in their current home for as long as possible. This is because for many people, homes have much greater meaning and sentimental value, far beyond the \u201cbricks and mortar\u201d they\u2019re made from.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":21840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_canvas","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2457,2460,2461],"tags":[2465],"class_list":["post-20419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-age-blog","category-mental-health","category-physical-activity","tag-bernard-steinman"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/home-mods.png","post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20419"}],"version-history":[{"count":163,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20419\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24603,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20419\/revisions\/24603"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}