How To Earn Business For Aging In Place Opportunity

Why Aging in Place is Important to Older Adults

The U.S. population is quickly aging. It is projected that the number of Americans age 65 or older will more than double by 2040, reaching 80 million. At the same time, more older adults are choosing to remain in their homes rather than deal with the rising cost of assisted living or long-term care facilities. According to AARP, almost 80% of older adults would prefer to remain in their home to maintain independence and comfort.

There is, however, a big disconnect between this desire and the reality of homes owned by older adults. A lot of the existing housing stock in the U.S was not designed with aging in place in mind, leaving many older adults living in environments that increase their risk of injury, limit their mobility, and make everyday tasks more difficult. When it comes to home repair professionals, the demand for aging in place should not be ignored; it’s a growing and often overlooked need.

Organizations like Rebuilding Together are helping address this challenge through programs like Safe at Home. The nonprofit works nationwide to complete cost-effective critical home repairs and accessibility modifications that allow older adults to live safely and independently. These efforts prove that aging in place is possible, but the demand far exceeds what any one organization can meet.

The Role of Contractors

Most homes were not built with accessibility in mind. Features that once seemed standard can become obstacles over time. Common issues for older adults include:

• Narrow doorways that cannot accommodate walkers or wheelchairs.
• Bathrooms with no grab bars or slip-resistant surfaces.
• Poor lighting in hallways, stairwells, and entry points.
• Uneven flooring or loose rugs that increase fall risk.
• Staircases without secure handrails.

Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four Americans age 65 and older falls each year. Many of those falls happen at home and result in hospitalizations, long-term disability, or transition to assisted living that may be unaffordable. According to the National Council on Aging, falls cost Medicare $80 billion annually, with total costs projected to reach $101 billion by 2030.

This means there is a large population of older adults living in homes that are not safe with limited options to leave.

These are exactly the type of issues that Rebuilding Together addresses through its Safe at Home program, but, again, the need exceeds what one organization can handle.

That is where contractors come in. Aging-in-place modifications are often smaller in scope, quicker to complete, and repeatable across projects. For contractors, it’s a practical way to meet a growing and urgent demand, while also creating a steady stream of work that fits alongside larger projects.

The Most Common Risks and How to Fix Them

Bathrooms – Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in the home due to slippery tubs and floors, lack of support when entering or exiting the tub or shower, and low toilets that are difficult to navigate. All these factors can increase the risk of falls.

These risks can be addressed through practical solutions such as:

• Installing grab bars near toilets and in showers.
• Adding no-slip flooring.
• Replacing traditional tubs with walk-in showers.
• Installing comfort-height toilets.

Lighting – Vision declines with age, making poor lighting a serious safety issue. Dim hallways and staircases, inadequate lighting near entrances, and hard-to-reach switches can all increase the risks of falls. Increasing overall light levels in key areas or adding motion-sensor lighting in hallways and bathrooms are simple fixes that can make a meaningful difference.

Entryways and Doorways – Many homes have obstacles before a person even gets inside. Steps without railings and narrow doorways can quickly become barriers for individuals using mobility aids like canes and walkers. Contractors can address these issues by:

• Installing secure handrails on both sides of stairs.
• Adding ramps or zero-step entries.
• Widening doorways to accommodate walkers or wheelchairs.
• Removing or reducing thresholds to avoid tripping.

Flooring – Falls are often caused by surfaces that homeowners may not think twice about. Loose rugs, uneven flooring, and slippery materials can all lead to injuries. Simple fixes such as securing or removing area rugs, replacing uneven flooring, and using slip-resistant materials can significantly reduce risk.

Stairs – For many older adults, stairs eventually become a major safety concern or even unusable. Common issues include lack of handrails, poor lighting and steep or narrow staircases. In some cases, individuals using wheelchairs cannot use stairs at all. Installing sturdy, continuous handrails, improving lighting, and adding stair lifts or ramps when needed can help extend how long a homeowner can safely navigate their space.

All of these are common upgrades completed through Rebuilding Together projects. Even minor improvements can make a meaningful difference, supporting the broader goal of aging in place safely and independently.

Small Repairs, Big Impact

There are already clear examples that show how impactful these repairs can be. This work is happening in communities across the country through Rebuilding Together’s network.

In Saratoga Springs, New York, Rebuilding Together Saratoga County launched a handyman program that focuses on immediate safety fixes. A trained handyman visits homes to complete projects like repairing door frames, replacing uneven flooring, and installing sturdy handrails. In a six-week pilot program, the handyman helped 21 local families, often completing repairs in under an hour. These fixes helped protect the health, safety, and dignity of homeowners in the community. The program was so successful that the affiliate received support from Lowe’s to expand its reach.  These repairs may be simple, but they directly address the challenges older homeowners face. They also demonstrate a practical, repeatable approach that contractors can apply in their own work.

How to Get Started

Addressing aging-in-place needs does not require a full business overhaul. It many cases, it starts with a shift in perspective.

Home repair professionals should consider a few key factors:

• Not every homeowner needs a full remodel. Small, targeted fixes can still make a meaningful difference.
•  There is an opportunity to be proactive. Many homeowners do not recognize risks until something goes wrong, creating an opening for contractors to educate and guide them earlier.
• These projects are often repeatable. Many homes share similar challenges, making aging-in-place upgrades easier to scope, estimate, and deliver efficiently.

Partnerships can further extend that impact. Collaborating with organizations like Rebuilding Together can open the door to new projects while also positioning contractors as trusted partners in their communities.

Aging in place is about more than comfort. It is a matter of safety, dignity, and independence for millions of older adults living in homes that were not designed to meet their needs, and who often cannot afford to relocate or move into assisted living.

While organizations like Rebuilding Together have demonstrated the impact of targeted repairs and accessibility improvements, there is still significant, unmet need.

Contractors have a critical role to play in addressing this rapidly growing challenge. By identifying risks, offering practical solutions, and incorporating aging-in-place upgrades into their work, home repair professionals can help more people stay safe in their homes, while building a steady, sustainable line of business in the process.