Start with fall prevention
Improve lighting, remove loose rugs, repair uneven flooring, add secure handrails and keep common walking routes clear. These are often lower-cost changes with immediate value.
Bathrooms deserve early attention
Consider grab-bar reinforcement, a curbless or low-threshold shower, a handheld showerhead, non-slip surfaces, better lighting and enough clear space for safe movement. Many grab bars need solid blocking or an approved mounting system rather than a simple drywall anchor.
Entries and doorways
Thresholds, stairs, narrow doors and heavy hardware can become daily barriers. Lever handles, stronger railings, improved exterior lighting and properly designed ramps or landings may help depending on the home and the user's needs.
ADA, accessibility and residential codes are not the same thing
The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to many public and commercial settings, but a private residence may instead be governed by local residential building codes, permit requirements and other accessibility standards. A useful design target is not automatically a legal requirement for every house.
Plan for future changes
Think about first-floor sleeping, bathroom access, reachable storage, wider circulation paths and whether the home can accommodate mobility equipment later. Small design choices made during a renovation can avoid much larger costs later.