If you have a parent or loved one who is 65 or older, chances are you’ve begun to give some thought to their future. More specifically, you’ve probably considered whether they’ll be able to age in place or whether they’ll need to move into an assisted living facility. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, most seniors prefer to age in place, which is perfectly understandable. If that is the route you and your loved one choose to take, here’s some good news—making the home more accessible for an aging senior doesn’t have to be a huge, costly project. Here are a few steps to take that will help make the process as easy as possible.

Adapt as you go. Making the decision to help a loved one age in place rather than move to assisted living is only half the battle. Once you know you’ll be moving forward on modifications, it can be difficult to know how to get started. This article on remodeling for senior living recommends looking at these home adaptations has an ongoing project rather than something you’ll help your loved one do all at once. For example, if you’re replacing a squeaky step, take a look at the stair rail. Is it sturdy? Easy for your loved one to grip? If the answer is no, then it’s time for a replacement. The article explains that making these kinds of upgrades as part of in-progress projects can also help cut down on cost.

Perform a room-by-room assessment. Some rooms in the home are going to need more attention than others. Before you reach out to companies to help you do the work, make sure you know exactly what you need. ElderCare.gov recommends performing an assessment of every room and provides a checklist of questions to ask as you go. For example, in the kitchen, “are cabinet door knobs easy to use?” And in the bathroom, “can you get into and out of the bathroom or shower easily?”

Know that you may qualify for financial assistance. Of course, it doesn’t take long for these modifications and their associated costs to begin to add up. Seniors who are opting to age in place should know that some organizations offer grants to help them pay for these renovations while others may offer discounted rates for elderly customers. Disability.gov provides a helpful overview of organizations that can offer additional help as you move through the construction process.

Don’t forget to look outside the home. Chances are the inside of a home won’t be the only place in need of accessibility modifications. You’ll want to consider what adjustments might need to be made outside the structure as well. For example, do you need an outdoor wheelchair ramp? If there’s a backyard pool, will your loved one need a pool lift to help them get in and out safely? Are all outdoor handrails and stairs in good condition? And so on. Give these areas some attention, too.

Making a home accessible so that a loved one can age in place can be a tall task, but it’s one that is well worth it. Their happiness at getting to stay in their longtime home will be a wonderful reward for all your hard work.

Patricia Sarmiento loves swimming and running. She channels her love of fitness and wellness into blogging about health and health-related topics. She played sports in high school and college and continues to make living an active lifestyle a goal for her and her family. She lives with her husband, two children, and their shih tzu in Maryland.