Free Grab Bars and Grab Bar Installation for Seniors: 30 Programs to Check Out Today

By Maurice

Bathroom grab bars are one of the most straightforward and efficient methods to prevent elderly people from falling. A bathroom grab bar for the seniors, when properly installed, provides assistance ​in using the toilet, showering safely, or getting in and out of the bathtub.

If you are looking for a free grab bar and grab bar installation for seniors you’ve come to the right place! Below you will find various programs that provide bathroom aids and remodeling assistance, including grab bar and grab bar installation.

Free Grab Bars and Grab Bar Installation – Government Programs

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants (California)

Section 504 Home Repair program, provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.

Local or County government Housing Department

Many local governments have plans that help seniors with home modification or make homes more accessible so they can age in their homes.

As an example, Housing programs administered by the City of Gaithersburg include inclusionary housing (MPDUs and WFHUs), closing cost and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and deferred loans for homeowners and qualified tenants who wish to make their homes accessible and visitable for anyone with a disability.

The city of Topeka’s Planning & Development department has an Accessibility Program that provides modifications to homes such as external ramps, bathroom modifications, and more.

Contact your local government to see if they have any program that assists with home modification and improvement.

Medicaid Waivers

Most states offer Medicaid programs that cover home modifications to enable elderly and/or disabled individuals to remain living at home. Find your state waiver here to see if it covers bathroom modification including installing grab bars.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD awards discretionary funding through over 20 Grant programs that support HUD initiatives, including Affordable Housing Development and Preservation, Community and Economic Development, Environment and Energy, Fair Housing, Homelessness, Homeownership, Rental Assistance, and Supportive Housing and Services. The Notice of Funding Opportunities is published each year on HUD’s website. Opportunities like Older Home Modification Grant Program and Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program can be used to remodel bathrooms and homes.

Free Grab Bars and Grab Bar Installation – For Veterans

Arizona Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America (Arizona)

AZPVA accepts equipment that is new or gently used and less than five years old and then redistributes them to people who need the equipment. The Chapter has one of the largest Loan Closets in the state of Arizona we provide durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, toilet risers, grab bars, tub transfer bench, commode, and more.

Veteran Affairs – Housing grants

VA offers housing grants for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities so they can buy or change homes to meet their needs and live more independently. Changing a home might involve installing ramps, installing grab bars, or widening doorways. Find out if you’re eligible for a disability housing grant—and how to apply.

Veteran Affairs – Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant

The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant (HISA) provides financial support to disabled veterans with service-connected medical issues (and in some cases, non-service-connected issues) who require modifications to their households, whether purchased and owned by the veteran or rented by/for the veteran. This grant does not have a list of eligible medical conditions or injuries, unlike some other VA grants intended to help pay for improvements to make homes more accessible for disabled veterans.

Heroes at home – Rebuilding Together

This program is for veterans, their families, caregivers, and/or widows and widowers. The program most frequently modifies homes and home access to make them accessible to wheelchair-bound veterans. This includes building ramps, remodeling bathrooms, installing grab bars, remodeling hallways, and kitchens to assist veterans in maintaining their independence.

Veterans Affairs

The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant (HISA) offers funds to disabled veterans with service-connected medical issues (and in some cases, non-service-connected issues) who need to make alterations to their homes whether purchased and owned by the veteran or rented by/for the vet.

Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides crucial financial help to qualifying veterans and service members for repairs and family needs. Financial aid is provided based on qualifying for a variety of expenses such as house repairs, remodeling, auto repairs, moving and relocation, utilities, transportation, medical, and food assistance.

Free Grab Bars and Grab Bar Installation – Charities

Safe at home – Rebuilding Together

The Safe at Home program provides no-cost preventive home modifications to people with mobility issues and other disabilities to improve accessibility, reduce falls, increase independence and facilitate aging-in-place. Safe at Home is designed to improve aging-in-place outcomes for low-income older adults through the modification of their home environment to meet their specific needs.

SEARS

Helps low-income military families and veterans with home modification and necessary repairs.

Habitat for Humanity

This program is open to all military veterans, provided they have received an honorable discharge and is not restricted to any specific veteran groups. While the primary focus of the program is on critical home repairs for veterans, the foundation has expressed readiness to fund standard repairs on the homes of qualified veterans provided homes with critical needs take precedence. This can include installing a grab bar if it’s necessary for the well-being of the senior.

Volunteers of America

Many VoA chapters have programs that provide home modification including grab bars.

For example, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana Minor home repairs could include fixing locks, carpentry, plumbing, window work, and other small jobs. Small modifications, such as adding handrails or grab bars, may also be performed to make it easier to move about. For those who can no longer get in and out of their home without assistance, wheelchair-accessible ramps are also available.

Volunteers of America Colorado make it possible for elders and individuals with disabilities to keep living in their own homes by making home safety improvements (e.g. installing grab-bars, handrails, chair risers, wheelchair ramps, etc.).

Find your local chapter to see if they have a program to provide free grab bars.

Purple Heart Home USA

PHH’s Veterans Aging in Place project is intended for Service Connected Disabled Veterans who already own their home and require assistance with renovations or repairs to make it safe and accessible, such as installing a grab bar in the bathroom.

Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E.

Gary Sinise R.I.S.E. assists injured, wounded, and aging veterans with home modifications and mobility devices.  This initiative has no specific qualification requirements, and assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis.

Elders help

Elder Helpers is a user-friendly, web-based service. We believe that compassion at its finest is free. Volunteers register to offer their services based on their true desire to help elders. The Elder Helpers program strives to safely and conveniently connect these dedicated, passionate volunteers with elders in their local communities.

Travis Roy Foundation

The Travis Roy Foundation’s Quality of Life Grant Program awarded more than $9 million, helping thousands of families purchase adaptive equipment or make homes accessible.

Christmas in Action

Christmas in Action is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that, in partnership with the community, repairs or modifies homes of low-income elderly and/or disabled homeowners by putting Christian values and principles into Action. Contact them to see if they can help you with grab bar installation.

disABILITY Link Home Modifications

Provide information and referral, home modification services, and work with Community Partners to complete home modifications that assist consumers in maintaining or increasing their independence in their homes.

AGC Charities, Inc.

Operation Opening Doors is a national program of AGC Charities, Inc., designed to provide home remodeling services to those suffering from disabilities incurred through service to our country or unforeseen disasters. From installing a wheelchair ramp and widening doorways to retrofitting an entire home for handicap accessibility, Operation Opening Doors plays an important role in helping the disabled and their families regain the quality of life they had before.

Chive Charities Grant

Chive Charities makes one-time grants for therapy equipment and sessions that are not covered by insurance, home modification, car adaptations, mobility items, developmental and learning gadgets, and other medical requirements as determined by a medical practitioner.

Love in the name of Christ

Love INC (In the Name of Christ) is an organization made up of local church volunteers to help people in need. Volunteers provide communication, companionship, financial counseling, after-school child care, clothing, food, transportation, and visitation to the home-bound. Volunteers offer home services such as house cleaning, snow shoveling, yard work, moving heavy items, appliance repair, general home maintenance, home weatherization, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and auto repair for the elderly or disabled.

Elks Club

Elks Club has hundreds of local chapters throughout the United States. They offer support at individual and community levels. If you are a member or are interested in becoming one, you can contact your local chapter to find out what kind of assistance you may be eligible to receive for your home modifications such as installing a grab bar.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

Individuals with MS can experience difficulty with balance, coordination, fine motor skills, and mobility. The MSAA Equipment Distribution Program offers products designed to improve safety, mobility, and activities of daily living, along with exercise/wellness opportunities. MSAA provides these products at no charge to individuals with MS who qualify for assistance, and items are shipped directly to the client. Products distributed through the program range from grab bars, shower chairs, and walkers to wide-grip utensil sets and yoga mats.

The Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (California)

The Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) is a private, nonprofit corporation located in San Mateo, California. Through its Housing accessibility modifications program, CID installs ramps, handrails, grab bars, vertical lifts, and other modifications to make homes accessible. These modifications assist people with disabilities to remain at home or move back into their homes with greater independence, and not be forced into skilled nursing or other institutional care.

ElderHelp of Northern Idaho (Idaho)

ElderHelp of Northern Idaho provides various services such as Installing various types of handrails and grab bars, Minor roof leaks, Minor plumbing leaks, Repair floors that present a safety hazard, Putting locks on doors, or windows, Maintaining and installing smoke detectors, Weatherization, Building handicap ramps, Snow shoveling, Yard maintenance, and minor home repairs.

Able Up Iowa (Iowa)

Able Up Iowa (AUI) is a non-profit organization that helps people of all abilities become independent by providing solutions to financial needs and empowering them to achieve financial goals. AUI provides low-interest and forgivable loans so you can purchase what you need to live independently including grab bars.

Western Maine Community Action (Maine)

Western Maine Comunity Action’s Community Aging in Place is a program designed to assist Maine’s low-income elder homeowners age 60+ remain in their own homes as long as they choose to, and are able to do so. This includes Home Modifications for Accessibility such as installing grab bars.

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