Accessible and age-appropriate housing

In short: Accessible housing lets people with mobility impairments use their home independently, from door width to the bathroom. Age-appropriate housing often goes a bit less far than full accessibility, but still significantly eases daily life in old age.

In more detail: While accessible apartments must meet strict standards like DIN 18040, age-appropriate adjustments are often individual improvements without full certification.

In detail

Not legal advice.

• Door widths and thresholds: Doors at least 80 to 90 centimeters wide and threshold-free transitions significantly ease use with a wheelchair or walking aid.
• Step-free bathroom: A level-entry shower instead of a bathtub reduces fall risk and significantly eases access.
• Grab bars: Strategically placed bars in the bathroom and on stairs provide extra safety without major construction effort.
• Stairlift or elevator: In multi-story buildings, these enable access to upper floors even with limited mobility.
• Lighting: Good, glare-free lighting at transitions and stairs reduces fall risk, especially with declining eyesight.
• Funding options: Care insurance funds and government programs often financially support age-appropriate renovations (wohngeld).
• Forward-looking planning: For new construction or major renovations, accessible planning is worthwhile even before a limitation sets in (umzug-planen-checkliste).