Aging in Place in Johnston: How to Remodel a Home for Every Stage of Life

Aging in place means remodeling your home so you can live in it safely and comfortably as you get older, instead of moving to assisted living or a smaller property. For most Johnston homeowners, the highest-impact changes are a more accessible bathroom, a step-free entry, wider and clearer paths through the main level, and better lighting. These updates make daily life easier at any age and become essential later, and they can often be built into a remodel you were already considering.

This guide explains what aging in place involves, which changes matter most, and how to plan a project that fits your home and your budget.

What "aging in place" really means

Aging in place is the choice to stay in your own home as you age, supported by thoughtful design rather than by moving. It overlaps with a broader idea called universal design, which means creating spaces that work well for people of all ages and abilities. A curbless shower is easier for a person recovering from surgery, a parent bathing a toddler, and an older adult with limited mobility. Good aging-in-place design rarely looks clinical. Done well, it simply looks like a comfortable, well-planned home.

The demand for this is real and growing. AARP's 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey found that 75 percent of adults aged 50 and older want to remain in their current homes as they age. Among those planning modifications, roughly 72 percent said they wanted to upgrade their bathroom and 71 percent wanted changes that make it easier to enter and move around the home. You can read the survey summary on the AARP Home and Community Preferences page.

The changes that matter most

You do not need to do everything at once. A good plan starts with the areas that affect safety and independence the most, then adds features over time. The most valuable focus areas are usually these:

• Bathrooms. A curbless or low-threshold shower, a built-in bench, a handheld showerhead, slip-resistant flooring, and blocking in the walls so grab bars can be added securely. A comfort-height toilet and better task lighting help too. The bathroom is where most falls happen, which is why it is the top priority for so many homeowners.

• Entries and thresholds. At least one step-free or low-step entrance into the home, along with level thresholds at interior doorways, so getting in and moving between rooms does not require navigating steps.

• Main-floor living. Where possible, a bedroom and full bathroom on the main level so daily life does not depend on stairs. In some homes this means reworking an existing layout rather than adding on.

• Doorways and paths. Wider doorways and clear, uncluttered paths through the main living areas, which help with everything from mobility aids to moving furniture.

• Lighting and flooring. Brighter, even lighting with easy-to-reach switches, and flat, slip-resistant flooring without raised transitions that can catch a foot.

• Everyday hardware. Lever door handles, rocker light switches, and pull-out drawers in the kitchen, all of which are easier on hands and wrists.

Because these features touch bathrooms, kitchens, and whole-home layout, aging-in-place work often connects naturally to projects homeowners already want. An accessible bathroom remodel is the most common starting point, and updates to a finished basement can create a comfortable main-level or guest suite for a family member who needs care.

Planning and cost factors

The cost of an aging-in-place remodel depends on the same factors as any renovation: the size of the space, the finishes you choose, and whether the project involves plumbing, electrical, or structural changes. Converting a standard tub-and-surround bathroom into a curbless shower, for example, involves waterproofing and drainage work below the floor, which affects both timeline and cost. Widening a doorway in a load-bearing wall is more involved than widening a non-structural one.

Because every home and every household is different, the most reliable way to understand cost is an on-site consultation rather than a general estimate. A walk-through lets a remodeler see your actual layout, identify which changes are straightforward and which require more work, and help you sequence the project so you can start with the highest-priority items.

Permits and local codes in Johnston

Most aging-in-place remodeling that involves framing, plumbing, or electrical work requires a permit. Johnston enforces current building codes, having adopted the 2024 International Codes effective February 2026, and separate permits are typically required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. You can review requirements and applications through the City of Johnston Building Department. A remodeler who works in Johnston regularly will handle permitting and inspections as part of the project, so the process stays on track and the finished work meets local standards.

How Dunlap Remodeling helps

Dunlap Remodeling is a family-owned company based in Urbandale that has served Johnston and the greater Des Moines metro since 2013. The team builds accessible, universal-design features into remodels across bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and whole-home projects, which means these updates can be planned as part of a cohesive renovation rather than added on awkwardly later.

The approach is consultation-focused. Dunlap starts by understanding how you use your home now and how your needs may change, then recommends a plan built around your specific space and goals. Coordinated planning and construction keep the project moving from design through the finished result, and clear communication means you always know what is happening and why. If your priority is a bathroom that will serve you well for years, the guide on what adds the most value in a bathroom remodel is a useful companion to this article.

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Frequently asked questions

What is aging in place? Aging in place is the choice to remain in your own home as you get older, supported by home modifications that make daily living safer and easier. Common changes include accessible bathrooms, step-free entries, main-floor living arrangements, wider doorways, and improved lighting.

Which aging-in-place project should I do first? The bathroom is usually the highest priority, because most falls happen there and small changes make a large difference. A curbless shower, secure grab bars, slip-resistant flooring, and better lighting are common first steps.

Do aging-in-place features make a home look institutional? No. Modern universal design blends accessibility into attractive finishes. A curbless shower, comfort-height fixtures, and lever handles look like current design choices, not medical equipment, when they are planned as part of the overall remodel.

Do I need a permit for an aging-in-place remodel in Johnston? In most cases, yes. Projects involving plumbing, electrical, or structural changes typically require a permit, and Johnston enforces current building codes. A local remodeler will manage permitting and inspections for you.

Can these changes be done gradually? Yes. Many homeowners start with a single high-priority space, such as the primary bathroom, and add other features over time. Planning the full picture early helps ensure each phase fits together.

Plan a home that fits you for years to come

The best time to make a home easier to live in is before you need the changes urgently. Schedule a free consultation with Dunlap Remodeling to talk through your home, your priorities, and a plan that keeps you comfortable and independent for the long term. Call (515) 777-2643 or reach out through the contact page to get started.