Modify your house to suit your needs

As you get older, living independently in your own home can become more difficult. If you’re finding it harder to do the things you used to, you can ask for some help at home.

While accessing support with food preparation, house cleaning, and personal care is well known, accessing government-funded house modifications is not.  

Home modification providers are available to make houses safer and more age-friendly, extending the time that older people can remain in their own home. 

These may be small modifications, such as installing levered handles on doors, easy-access taps, bath rails or shower hoses, or larger ones, such as installing a bathroom or kitchen on the ground floor or modifying the stairs. 

Carers also appreciate modifications that reduce risk and danger and make their work easier. Examples include installing a ramp entrance to the home of someone living in a wheelchair or grab rails in the bathroom to help someone get in and out of the bath. 

You can apply for a home modifications subsidy through the My Aged care online portal. 

There are two options: 

• The Commonwealth Home Support Programme gives entry-level home help to seniors to support them to stay free, and independent. Subsidised home modifications services include installation of safety alerts or alarms, inclines, and handrails. 

• Home Care Packages, for seniors with more complex care demands, provide a range of subsidised home modifications as a component of support services. 

The Home Modification Information Clearinghouse (HMinfo) is a Commonwealth Government-funded information service that offers advice about home modifications for older people and people with disability. 

HMinfo researchers and disseminates home modification information to the public as well as industry, care workers, and even academics. 

Some of their latest consumer factsheets provide information about: 

• Staying safe during a flood

• Home automations for older people and people with disability

• Escaping a fire

• Home safety resources for older people

• Arranging home modifications.

You can find all the HMInfo consumer factsheets here.

If you want to know more about what home modifications are available you can contact HMinfo on 1800 305 486 or visit www.homemods.info There is practical information about home modifications and accessing modification services here. 

An initial step could be consulting an occupational therapist (OT) who can help identify areas of the home that need modifying. OTs are health professionals who work with you to assess your support needs. Ask your GP about making an appointment with an OT or visit OT Australia or ring 1300 682878. 

Adaptability: some modifications can be made quickly to meet your demands without having to redesign your home. These include fitting grab-rails on bathroom walls and flexible cases under the sink so that someone in a wheelchair can utilise the areas. 

Accessibility: improve accessibility by making doorways broader, for wheelchairs, reduce kitchen cupboards heights for sinks and cabinets, and fixing grab-rails and ramps.