Government Grants to Help You Age in Place

The bottom line:

• Home modifications to age in place require planning and budgeting, just like any other type of home modification.
• Knowing the price of various home modifications will help Irish seniors plan for the future.
• Several grants and loans are available in Ireland to help seniors modify their homes to age in place.

As Ireland’s population ages, we’re faced with an ever-pressing choice of how we want to live, and, more importantly, where we want to live. In view of the alternatives, more and more seniors are seeing the benefits of ageing in place, but while staying put can seem like the easier option, there are still many factors to consider.

As our age progresses, it’s only natural that our needs may change, leading to parts of our home becoming uncomfortable or even dangerous to use. The last few decades have seen a boom in home modification options and technologies, each of which is designed to allow seniors to stay in their own homes safely and comfortably. However, these technologies come at a cost – one we’re going to break down for you in this article.

What do home modifications really cost?

One of the first steps any senior planning to age in place should take is carrying out a home assessment – preferably aided by an Occupational Therapist – in which their current and future needs are pinpointed. Once this is done, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which modifications will provide for a safe, comfortable living environment for years to come.

The second step is calculating, budgeting, and scheduling these modifications so that they don’t cause added stress and are there when you need them. The good news is, though some of the price tags for home modifications may be high, Irish seniors have a range of funding options available to help them gain access to the aid they need.

Regardless of whether you are opting for financial help or not, it’s good to check out the types of modifications available and the associated costs, so read on to find out exactly what they are.

Homelift Prices

Starting from: €16,000

Seniors who age at home benefit massively from home lifts, and they’ve become increasingly popular in Ireland. Though they are fairly costly, they can make the difference between being able to live at home and having to move into a care home, so for many, it’s a very worthwhile investment that allows them to move between floors seamlessly.

A home elevator includes a substantial installation process which could cost up to € 7,000 in some cases, depending on the layout of the house, so it’s certainly on the higher end of the home modifications scale.

Read more about homelifts in Ireland here.

Stairlift Prices

Starting from:

€ 1,300 (straight stairlift)

€ 4,000 (curved stairlift) 

Stairlifts are life changers for Irish seniors who want to stay in their two-storey property. However, getting a realistic price for them can be tricky, as variations in length, shape and design can hugely affect the final price. The main thing to note is whether or not your staircase is straight or curved or has a landing in the middle, as this can drastically change the price tag.

The number of steps, length of staircase and number of curves (if any) will all be factored into any final price, but as you can see above, the starting price is a minimum of €1,300.

It’s fair to say that the average cost of a straight stairlift is between €1,300 and €3,000, while a curved stairlift will be more like € 4,000 and € 8,000.

Take a look at this detailed stairlift guide here: 

Bathroom Adaptation Prices

Starting from: € 2,000 

Your bathroom is perhaps the most important modification you can make for comfortable, independent living. Over 4000 seniors are reported to hospital every year after a bathroom-related accident, which is often related to slipping and falling without the correct equipment to protect them.

Installing a walk-in bath or wet room, or investing in other bathroom tools which help with stability and movement, can make a world of difference to seniors who may be worried about using the bathroom as they lose their independence.

Realistically, you can expect to pay between € 2,000 and € 7,000 for bathroom adaptations, depending on the spec of products you choose.

Read more about types of bathroom adaptations here. 

Walk-in Bath / Shower Prices

Starting from: € 1,000 (without installation)

There’s a vast range of walk-in baths and showers on the market, and you may see them advertised for around the € 1,000 mark, but it’s important to note that these prices often don’t include installation.

For a higher spec, you can expect to pay around € 3,800 plus installation, which takes you up to approximately € 5,000 total.

Read some FAQs and a detailed guide to walk-in baths and showers here. 

Non-slip floor Prices

Average price: € 600 

Non-slip flooring is, unsurprisingly, a major benefit for seniors who would like to live independently at home – and a reasonably cheap one, especially considering the benefits it brings.

Having two to three rooms treated in your home will cost around € 600, with each treatment lasting up to three years before it needs to be re-done.

Looking at getting a non-slip floor in Ireland? Read the guide here.

How do you pay for your home modifications?

Though prices vary hugely between home modification solutions, as seniors age, they may well find that one solution alone does not meet their needs, and they need to do more to ensure they are kept safe in their homes. As we mentioned above, Irish seniors have a range of funding options available to them, which cover different needs and different amounts. Get a detailed look at every option available here, but here’s a breakdown of the amounts they may cover:

Mobility Aids Grants Scheme

Maximum amount: € 6,000

Read more here >>

Housing Aid for Older People Scheme

Maximum amount: € 8,000

Read more here >>

Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a disability

Maximum amount: € 30,000

Read more here >>

Local Authority Home Improvement Loans

Maximum amount: € 38,000 (€ 50,000 on offshore islands)

Read more here >>

Want to find out how much you may be eligible for?

Check out our Mobility Aids Housing Grant calculator here.