Atlanta ? AARP, the nation’s largest organization of senior citizens, is testing out a plan to put its seal of approval on hardware products such as bathroom and electrical fixtures that can help older people live at home more independently.

AARP is joining forces with The Home Depot, the nation’s biggest chain of hardware stores. The Atlanta-based company plans to start rolling out the seal of approval items in an unspecified number of its 1,835 stores by next year.

The criteria and types of products slated to get the seal still are being determined, but possibilities include bath and electrical fixtures. The chain also intends to start offering clinics to teach seniors home-improvement skills.

Older Americans want things like grab bars in bathrooms, ramps and wide doorways in their quest to continue living independently, said William Novelli, AARP’s chief executive. Home-improvement projects help them do so.

“They don’t want to go into nursing homes,” Novelli said. “They don’t want to go live with their children. They want to live at home.”

Home Depot, in turn, is hoping the program will allow the company to tap into a growing number of older customers.

“They are very home-oriented with significant disposable income,” said John Costello, the company’s merchandising chief.

In February, Home Depot and AARP announced a partnership to attract and retain older workers.

“At Home Depot, we believe knowledge, experience, and passion never retire,” Home Depot CEO Bob Nardelli said at the time.

Longtime AARP member Charles Pugh, 73, from Smyrna, Ga., saws a piece of molding at a self-service station at The Home Depot in Vinings, Ga. AARP soon will use Home Depot to test its plan to mark retail products with a seal of approval for people 50 and older. Home Depot, in turn, is hoping the program will allow it to tap into the growing customer base that older people represent.

Home Depot shares closed at $42.28, up 53 cents, Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.