Aging-in-Place: Will This House Work for Seniors in 20 Years?
What to look for in aging-in-place home modifications in Massachusetts, from the front step to the shower.
Bob Wiltse, REALTOR®
Research & Writing Assistant: Claude.ai
November 13, 2026
During Thanksgiving, we often notice things in a parent’s house that we hadn’t before. Maybe the front steps seem steeper, or the only full bathroom is upstairs. This is a great chance to learn how to look at a home with aging in mind.
Why it matters
Falls are the main cause of injuries and injury-related deaths for adults 65 and older, and about one in four report falling each year (CDC). Having a home that works for you as you age can help you avoid a rushed move or remodel, and it can also make your house more attractive to buyers when you decide to sell.
What to look for: aging in place features on a tour
Look for an entrance without steps, or at least space to add one. This is often possible through the garage or a side door.
A bedroom and a full bathroom on the main floor are most important. If there’s a den next to a half bath, that could also work in some cases.
Check the width of the doors. Measure the clear opening, from the door stop to the face of the open door, not just the door itself.
Look at the stairs. Check how steep they are, whether there are handrails on one or both sides, if the lighting is good, and if a straight staircase could fit a stair lift.
In the bathroom, see if there’s a tub or a walk-in shower, whether there’s a curb to step over, and if there’s enough space to turn around.
Don’t forget the small details, like lever handles, rocker switches, bright lighting, and laundry on the main floor.
The products and what they do
Grab bars: These give you something sturdy to hold onto at the toilet and in the shower. They only work if they’re anchored into solid backing. Suction-cup bars aren’t designed to support body weight.
Blocking: Wood framing added behind the wall during a remodel so you can install grab bars later. Since you can’t see it, ask for photos or records to confirm it’s there.
Curbless or low-threshold showers: These let you walk or roll in without stepping over anything. They need a sloped floor and often use a linear drain, which is a long, narrow drain along one edge. They cost more and need careful waterproofing.
Handheld shower heads and shower seats: These are affordable and very helpful for anyone who needs to sit while bathing.
Stair lifts and platform lifts: A stair lift is a chair that moves along a rail, while a platform lift raises a wheelchair a few feet. Ask whether a permit and inspection were needed for these.
Ramps: Modular aluminum ramps can be temporary, while built wood ramps are permanent. Both types need about a foot of length for every inch of height they rise.
Questions to ask
Seller: “Was blocking added behind the bathroom walls in any remodel?”
Seller: “Were the stair lift, ramp or bathroom changes permitted and inspected?”
Home inspector: “Are the handrails and grab bars solidly attached?”
Builder: “Can you add a zero-step entry, wider doors and bathroom blocking? At what cost?”
Contractor: “Is there room on the main floor to add a full bath?”
Red flags
Grab bars or rails that move when pulled, or towel bars used as grab bars
Suction-cup grab bars in the shower
A lift, ramp, or bath remodel with no permit on file
A curbless shower with loose tile or water stains on the ceiling below
Steep stairs with one wobbly handrail and a dark landing
If you’re buying / If you’re selling
If you’re buying: Measure the doors and check if there’s a main-floor bathroom before you get too attached to the kitchen. Also, look up the permit file for any accessibility work that’s been done.
If you’re selling: Collect permits, warranties, and service records for any lifts, ramps, or remodeled bathrooms. If you have a permitted first-floor suite, highlight it in your listing.
The Massachusetts angle: code, stairs, and the Home Modification Loan Program
Code: The state’s accessibility rules, 521 CMR, cover multi-dwelling units of three or more units, not typical single-family homes (521 CMR 9.00). For houses, the building code sets minimums: a 32-inch clear main exit door, 30-inch doors to habitable rooms, and 28-inch bath doors. Massachusetts allows stair risers up to 8¼ inches and treads as shallow as 9 inches, steeper than the national model code (780 CMR R311). Stairs with four or more risers need a handrail 34 to 38 inches high, and ramps are limited to a 1-in-12 slope unless the site makes that impossible (2021 IRC R311, summarized).
Best practice: Meeting code minimums doesn’t always mean a home is accessible. Features like wider doors (36 inches), handrails on both sides, and blocking in every bathroom go beyond what’s required. ADA standards for public buildings place grab bars 33 to 36 inches above the floor, which is a helpful guideline (U.S. Access Board).
Paying for it: The state’s Home Modification Loan Program offers 0% deferred loans from $1,000 to $50,000, repaid when the home is sold or transferred, for ramps, lifts, and bathroom work. Income limits apply (Metro Housing|Boston; CEDAC).
Living close by: Since February 2025, homes in single-family zoning districts can generally add one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) by right, up to 900 square feet or half the main house. Proposed rule changes aren’t final (Mass.gov ADU).
Your town may have stricter rules. Cities and towns choose their energy code tier, and many have local bylaws, board of health regulations, zoning, and building and fire department policies that go beyond state code. Always check with your local building department, board of health, or fire department.
Bottom line
You don’t need a perfect house. What matters is having a home that can adapt—like a step-free entrance, a main-floor bedroom and bathroom, and stairs that are still usable even if your knees aren’t what they used to be.
FAQ
What makes a house good for aging in place? Look for a step-free entrance, a bedroom and full bathroom on the main floor, wide doorways and hallways, and a shower you can step into instead of over. Good lighting, lever handles, and stairs with sturdy handrails on both sides are also helpful. A home doesn’t need all these features right away, but you should be able to add them.
Does Massachusetts code require accessible features in a single-family home? Generally no. The state’s accessibility rules (521 CMR) cover multi-dwelling buildings with three or more units, not typical single-family homes. The building code still sets rules for stairs, handrails, doors, and ramps. Most aging-in-place features are best practice, not code, so check with your local building department before making changes.
Can you add grab bars to any bathroom? Usually, but they must be anchored into solid backing such as wood blocking or structural framing, not just drywall or tile. Suction-cup bars aren’t made to hold body weight. Ask the seller or builder whether they installed blocking behind the walls during a remodel. If it wasn’t, a pro can find or add proper support.
Is there state help to pay for home accessibility changes? Yes. The Massachusetts Home Modification Loan Program offers 0% deferred loans from $1,000 to $50,000 for changes that help an older adult or a person with a disability stay at home, repaid when the home is sold or transferred. Income limits apply. Check current terms with a regional provider agency or CEDAC.
Are Massachusetts stairs steeper than in other states? Sometimes they are. Massachusetts allows stair risers up to 8¼ inches and treads as shallow as 9 inches, while the national model code uses 7¾ and 10 inches. Steeper stairs are tougher on your knees and balance, so check them carefully and look for sturdy handrails, ideally on both sides.
Helping a parent decide whether to stay or move, or looking for a home that will work for the long run? I help buyers know what they’re looking at, and help sellers get their homes ready for market. Call or text me at 978-793-1719, email bob@bobwiltse.com, or visit bobwiltse.com.
Sources
CDC, Older Adult Falls Data: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html
780 CMR 10th Edition, Residential Chapter 3 (MA amendments to R310, R311): https://www.mass.gov/doc/10th-edition-residential-chapter-3-building-planning/download
521 CMR 9.00, Multiple Dwellings: https://www.mass.gov/doc/521-cmr-900-multiple-dwellings-2006-pdf/download
Boulder County, Residential Stairways, Handrails, Ramps and Guards (2021 IRC R311–R312 summary): https://bouldercounty.gov/property-and-land/land-use/building/building-publications/residential-stairways-handrails-ramps-and-guards-b32/
U.S. Access Board, ADA Accessibility Standards: https://www.access-board.gov/ada/
Metro Housing|Boston, Home Modification Loan Program: https://www.metrohousingboston.org/what-we-do/property-owners-portal/home-modification-loan-program/
CEDAC, HMLP eligibility and 2026 income limits: https://cedac.org/find-out-if-you-qualify/
Mass.gov, Accessory Dwelling Units: https://www.mass.gov/ADU
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not professional engineering, legal, health, or code-compliance advice. Codes change and vary by town. Consult licensed professionals and your local building department, board of health, or fire department before making decisions about your home.
Bob Wiltse is a REALTOR® with eXp Realty and a former licensed construction supervisor. Because where and how you live matters.
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