The best aging-in-place ADUs include a zero-step entry, wide doorways, a curbless shower, a comfort-height toilet, lever handles, good lighting, and blocking for future grab bars. Most of these cost little when they’re designed in from the start and a lot to add later.
Housing an aging parent close by, with their own front door, is one of the most common reasons families build ADUs. Here’s what to include.
How should the entry and floor plan work?
1. Zero-step entry. No steps or raised threshold at the main door, with a gently sloped walk. Plan it before the foundation is poured.
2. Wide doorways. Wheelchairs and walkers need about 32 inches of clear opening. A 36-inch door delivers that comfortably.
3. Lever handles. Easier than round knobs for hands with arthritis or limited grip.
4. Single-level living. Keep the bedroom, full bath, kitchen, and laundry on one level, with no sunken rooms or split levels.
What makes a bathroom safer?
5. Curbless shower. No curb to step over, a linear drain, a hand-held showerhead, and room for a fold-down bench.
6. Blocking for grab bars. Have the framer add solid wood blocking in the walls at the toilet and shower. Bars can then go up later without opening walls.
7. Comfort-height toilet. A seat height of about 17 to 19 inches makes sitting and standing easier.
8. Slip-resistant floors. Matte or textured tile, or textured vinyl plank, instead of glossy tile.
What helps in the kitchen and living areas?
9. A lower counter section. One stretch of counter at about 30 to 34 inches allows seated food prep.
10. Lever or touch faucets. Easier to use with limited grip strength.
11. Layered lighting. Bright general light, task lights at counters and reading spots, and motion-sensor night lights on the path from bed to bathroom.
12. Reachable laundry. Side-by-side front-loaders on pedestals are easier to reach than a stacked pair.
What do these features cost?
Lever handles, wider doors, grab-bar blocking, comfort-height toilets, and lever faucets usually add little when specified before construction. A curbless shower and a zero-step entry take more design and site work, but they cost far less built in than retrofitted. Ask your contractor to price each item in the bid.
What about the path to the door?
- Smooth, well-lit walkway from parking to the entry, with no steps. Sloped lots need extra planning here.
- Motion-sensor lights at entries and along paths.
- A visible address for the ADU so first responders can find it.
Does the ADU have to meet accessibility codes?
Private single-family ADUs generally aren’t required to meet full commercial accessibility standards. These features are choices you make for the people who will live there. If someone uses a wheelchair now, consider working with a designer who specializes in accessible homes.
Ready to plan an ADU for a parent?
Call (661) 486-8393. If no one answers, leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, address, and the type of ADU you want. You can also use the contact form. We’ll pass your details to a local ADU contractor, who will follow up with you directly. There’s no obligation to hire.
Aging-in-place ADU FAQs
What is the single most important aging-in-place feature?
A zero-step entry is hard to add later and matters to anyone using a walker, wheelchair, or cane. A curbless shower is a close second.
How wide should doors be in an accessible ADU?
Aim for about 32 inches of clear opening, which a 36-inch door provides.
Can a Junior ADU work for an aging parent?
Yes. A JADU inside the home keeps a parent close at lower cost, limited to 500 square feet. See Junior ADUs in Santa Clarita.
What size ADU works for one older adult?
Many families find a 400 to 600 sq ft one-bedroom plenty. See 600 sq ft ADU floor plans.