Injury proofing our homes is important as we age.  If you are a senior and finding it difficult to move around your home due to decreasing mobility, it may be time to start thinking of adapting your home to prevent injury and improve access. 

If you have a disability or diminished ability financial support on the cost of alterations are provided by the BC Government, Federal Government and BC Housing – if you are a senior or someone with limited income.  This post is written to provide general guidelines on reducing injuries at home and outline financial support available for seniors who qualify.

High Risk Areas as We Age

The following areas in our homes are high risk for injury as we age:

• Bathrooms
• Stairs
• Smooth tile flooring
• Uneven flooring indoors and outdoors
• Storage rooms and kitchens with overhead shelving

Financial Support for Alterations

If you are 65 years or older and have a disability or diminished ability you can qualify for a tax credit or rebate on your accessibility renovations and alterations.  If you are under 65 with a disability or diminished ability, you can qualify if you are a spouse or CRA dependent of a senior, or if you earn a low or moderate income.  The BC Government, Federal Government and BC Housing have programs in place to help seniors and others with disabilities or limited mobility maintain their independence in their homes.  Each organization has their own criteria for qualifying and you should review these in depth to determine which one best suits your situation before submitting your application.

How Much Tax Credit Can I Get?

The costs of renovating areas such as bathrooms and entry ways to improve accessibility can add up.  The federal government, as well as the BC government offer a tax credit for accessibility related home renovations and alterations to those who qualify.  BC Housing also offers a rebate on those costs.  Here are the details:

Federal Government: Tax Credit on a Maximum Claim of $20,000 per tax year (you can submit claims from previous years up to 10 years back)

BC Government: Tax Credit on a Maximum Claim of $10,000 per tax year. Maximum Refund 10% ($1,000).

BC Housing Maximum Lifetime Rebate: $20,000

What Qualifies as an Accessibility Renovation or Alteration

Improvements to areas within your dwelling and surrounding lands for wheelchairs and walkers etc qualify.  The renovation or alteration must clearly address the accessibility issue of the applicant. 

Examples include the following (may vary depending on the government organization approving the renovation or adaption):

• Bathtubs – walk-in
• Counters/cupboards – lowering existing ones
• Counters/cupboards – installing adjustable ones
• Door locks that are easy to operate
• Doors that are widened for passage
• Drawers and cupboards – touch-and-release
• Flooring – non-slip or to allow the use of walkers or wheelchairs
• General renovation costs – necessary to enable access for seniors or persons with disabilities to first-floor or secondary suites
• Grab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, tub and shower
• Hand-held showers on adjustable rods or high-low mounting brackets
• Hand rails in corridors
• Lever handles on doors and taps, instead of knobs
• Light fixtures throughout the home and exterior entrances
• Light switches and electrical outlets placed in accessible locations
• Lighting – motion-activated
• Pull-out shelves under counter to enable work from a seated position
• Showers – wheel-in
• Sinks – alterations to allow use from a seated position (and insulation of any hot-water pipes)
• Swing clear hinges on doors to widen doorways
• Taps – hands-free
• Taps – relocation to front or side for easier access
• Toilets – raised
• Wheelchair ramps, stair/wheelchair lifts and elevators

Please review the full instructions with each government organization, as some require that the costs must be approved before the modifications have started.

Learn More

Federal Government

BC Government

BC Housing

Beneficial Alterations for All Seniors

Even if you do not have a disability, there are simple adaptations that can keep you safe as you age in your home and prevent injury. Some of these include:

• Handrails on walls in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms
• Lever handles on doors
• Handle bars near toilet seats and in showers and bath tubs
• Non slip flooring and rugs over smooth flooring
• Carpet tape on all rugs to reduce tripping
• In door shoes with good grips that are replaced when worn out.

Technology to Help Seniors Around the Home

Smart Lighting (turns on lights as you walk in, adjusts brightness, light timers and some are even voice activated)

Electric Door Locks (keyless entry that allow others to visit and assist without keys and prevents having to maneuver the motion of turning keys)

Smart Video Doorbell Cameras (you can see, speak and unlock doors without getting up)

Motorized blinds (remote control blinds that can be on a timer)

Motion control faucets (you do not need to turn on/off taps and adjust temperature)

Medical Alert Devices (some are set up as speakers around the home, others can be worn to allow immediate alert when needed).

Moving to a New Home

If you are considering moving to a new home, rest assured you will be able to modify your new home and still benefit from the financial programs above, as the claims can be made per tax year as long as you qualify.

Retro-Active Claims

The Federal Government allows you to make retroactive claims if you qualified but did not submit a claim in previous year. You are able to go back as far as ten years. You will need to have the supporting invoices etc.

Disclaimer: Retire BC does not endorse third party organizations.  Links provided below are for information purposes only.  None of the organizations and sellers listed below are endorsed by, affiliated with, or a sponsor of Retire BC.