Get Started!
A change at home can sometimes make everyday routines easier, safer and more comfortable. But knowing where to begin can be difficult. Families may wonder what modifications are appropriate, how to find qualified providers, or whether financial assistance is available.
The Administration for Community Living announced an updated Home Modification Information Network on September 28, 2026. This free resource brings together information about home modification programs, funding opportunities, service providers and other resources at the local, state and national levels. People can search based on the type of assistance they need and enter their ZIP code.
For families exploring ways to make a home more accessible, it can be a useful place to start.
The directory does not determine which modification is right for a person, whether funding is available, or whether someone qualifies for a particular program. Instead, it provides a starting point for a search that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Home modification conversations often begin with a product: a grab bar, ramp, brighter light, lever handle, or smart-home device.
Those changes may be helpful, but the better starting point is the person’s daily life.
Ask:
For example, an older adult may want to prepare breakfast with less fatigue. A wheelchair user may need a clearer path through a doorway. A person with low vision may benefit from improved lighting or visual contrast. Someone with an intellectual or developmental disability may benefit from visual cues or a more predictable arrangement of belongings.
The most useful change depends on the person, the activity and the environment. A general checklist cannot always account for all three.
Home modifications affect the place where someone lives, so the person should have a meaningful voice in decisions about changes to their home.
Family members may be focused on safety while the person is more concerned about privacy, appearance, independence, or maintaining a familiar routine. These concerns are all worth discussing.
Whenever possible, consider trying a proposed change in a reversible way before making a permanent alteration. Ask whether it fits the person’s preferred routine and whether it actually makes the activity easier.
It is also important to consider how the person communicates.
Communication may involve plain language, pictures, demonstrations, an augmentative communication device, gestures, or other established ways of expressing preferences. Giving someone extra time to understand and respond can also make the decision-making process more meaningful.
Some home changes are straightforward. Others require a closer look at mobility, daily activities, strength, balance, vision, communication, or the physical environment.
An occupational therapist can assess how a person performs everyday activities and how the environment affects those activities. A physical therapist may address mobility, strength and balance. Depending on the situation, other professionals may also be appropriate for vision, hearing, cognitive, behavioral, or construction-related concerns.
Professional guidance is especially important when a proposed change involves:
Renters should also review their lease and obtain required permission before making alterations.
Home modifications can be an important part of an individual’s support plan, but they do not guarantee that falls or injuries will be prevented. They should complement appropriate medical care, therapy and individualized support.
When people hear “home modification,” they may immediately think about ramps, stair lifts, or handrails.
Accessibility can involve much more.
Consider factors such as:
For example, a person who becomes overwhelmed by visual clutter may find it easier to navigate a home when frequently used items have predictable locations. Someone with hearing loss may benefit from visual alerts. A person with limited hand strength may find lever-style handles easier to use than round knobs.
These are examples, not universal recommendations. What works well for one person may not work for another.
Families can make the process easier by documenting the activity that is difficult, when the difficulty occurs, and what the person has already tried. That information can help make a professional assessment more focused.
The Home Modification Information Network can help families locate potential programs and resources using their ZIP code.
However, information about programs, eligibility, funding, providers and waitlists can change. Always confirm details directly with the organization offering the program.
When researching a resource, consider asking:
Do not assume that insurance, a public benefit, a Regional Center, or another agency will pay for a particular modification. Coverage and authorization depend on the individual, program and applicable rules.
For an individual eligibility or coverage decision, contact the relevant official program or agency directly.
A modification that looks simple on paper may take time to become part of someone’s routine.
A caregiver or direct support professional can help reinforce an established routine, keep pathways clear and notice whether a change creates an unexpected difficulty.
The goal is not to take over tasks the person can and wants to do.
Instead, good support helps create an environment where the person can participate as independently as possible.
Making a home more accessible is not simply about adding equipment or removing obstacles. It is about understanding how a person lives, what matters to them and what they want to continue doing in their own home.
The updated Home Modification Information Network can provide a useful starting point for finding programs, providers and other resources. From there, families can focus on the individual’s needs, involve the person in decisions, and seek professional guidance when appropriate.
At ComForCare, we believe support at home should respect each person’s routines, preferences, abilities and independence. Home care can complement environmental changes by helping with everyday routines and providing support that is tailored to the individual.
If your family is exploring ways to support someone at home, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. ComForCare can help families understand available home care options and identify the type of day-to-day support that may fit their needs.
Call ComForCare today: 858-247-1005
Sources
Each office is independently owned and operated and is an equal opportunity employer.
© 2026 ComForCare Franchise Systems, LLC.