TB Home Services

Aging in place means making modifications to your home so you can continue living there safely and independently as you get older — instead of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. The goal is to keep you comfortable, safe, and self-sufficient in the home you love.

CAPS stands for Certified Aging in Place Specialist — a designation awarded by the National Home Builders Association (NAHB). It means I’ve been trained in the specific techniques, products, and design strategies that make homes safer for older adults and people with disabilities. Not every handyman has this training, so you can feel confident you’re working with someone who understands your needs.

The best time is before you need them. Many homeowners start planning in their 50s or 60s while they’re still healthy and active. Making modifications proactively is easier, less stressful, and often less expensive than waiting for an injury or health event to force the issue. That said, it’s never too late — we can assess your home at any stage.

We don’t perform in-home assessments ourselves, but we can refer you to a CAPS-certified occupational therapist who can. An occupational therapist brings a clinical perspective to the process — evaluating your mobility, daily routines, and specific needs to recommend the right modifications for you as an individual. Once the assessment is complete, we step in to handle the installations. It’s a great way to make sure the work done in your home is truly tailored to you.

The most requested modifications include: grab bars in bathrooms and showers, handrails on both sides of stairways, no-step or low-threshold shower entries, non-slip flooring, wider doorways for walker or wheelchair access, lever-style door handles, better lighting throughout the home, and raised toilet seats or comfort-height toilets. We assess your specific home and lifestyle to recommend what makes the most sense for you.

Absolutely. Today’s grab bars come in a wide range of finishes — brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, matte black, and more — that blend right in with your bathroom decor. Many are virtually indistinguishable from towel bars. The key is proper installation into wall studs or blocking, which is exactly what our CAPS training covers to ensure they can support real weight when needed.

We specialize in the bathroom modifications that make the biggest day-to-day difference: grab bar installation, raised toilet seats, and accessible vanity setups. For larger structural projects like walk-in shower conversions or curbless shower entries, we’ll refer you to a trusted licensed contractor — and because of our CAPS training, we can help you understand exactly what to ask for so the work is done right.

Costs vary widely depending on the scope of work. Simple modifications like grab bars, handrails, and lever handles can often be completed for a few hundred dollars. More involved projects like walk-in shower conversions or widening doorways can run into the thousands. We offer free in-home assessments so you get an accurate quote before committing to anything.

Traditional Medicare generally does not cover home modifications, but Medicare Advantage plans sometimes do. Some long-term care insurance policies include a home modification benefit. Missouri also has state and local programs that may provide assistance for qualifying seniors. We recommend checking with your insurance provider and contacting the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for guidance on available programs.

Yes — we serve neighborhoods throughout St. Louis City and County including Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Clayton, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Sunset Hills, Fenton, Affton, Mehlville, Oakville, and many more. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just give us a call.