
Making plans for how an older adult will get the care they need is a critical part of ensuring their well-being, safety, and financial health. While some want to move to a senior living community, others want to remain living at their home for as long as possible. The latter is referred to as “aging in place,” which can be possible even if the older adult needs help, if safety and care services are considered. Here, we’ll explain more about aging in place, its benefits and drawbacks, and how to prepare for successfully aging in place.
Aging in place definition
A 2022 University of Michigan national poll on healthy aging states, “‘Aging in place’ refers to living independently, safely, and comfortably in one’s home for as long as possible.” People between the ages of 50 and 80 were polled across the U.S., and 88% said it’s important to them to remain living in their homes for as long as they can.
It’s important to note that senior living communities sometimes use the term “aging in place” to mean something a little different. These facilities offer a range of care and support levels that allow residents to remain there as their needs increase without having to move to a different location. However, in this article, we are focusing on older adults remaining in their homes.
Aging in place has benefits and drawbacks
Most of us understand the desire to stay put. We want to be in the home we created with people we love, surrounded by the belongings and mementos we’ve collected over a lifetime. For seniors, there are other factors that make remaining at home key to their well-being.
Benefits of aging in place
- Familiar daily routines: As we get older, habits and everyday routines become more important, especially when cognitive decline or dementia is present. Routine provides structure to the day and a sense of comfort.
- Personal privacy: Living alone or with a spouse allows seniors to maintain the personal space and privacy they’ve enjoyed throughout their lives.
- Independence: Making everyday decisions and choices about how to live is important to feeling self-reliant and remaining confident and independent.
- Longtime community ties: Neighborhood friends, stores, places of worship, restaurants, and other parts of the community continue to be sources of support and familiarity.
- Ability to keep pets: The risk of having to give up beloved pets is often a deal-breaker for seniors who might otherwise consider moving to a senior community. While some communities do allow pets, many do not.
- Cost savings: There are expenses associated with aging in place, but depending on the level of assistance the older adult needs, the cost may be less than that of assisted living or senior care communities.
While aging in place is preferable and entirely feasible for many seniors, they should also evaluate and compare the negatives to the positive aspects in order to make the best decision.
Drawbacks of aging in place
- Safety challenges: Navigating around at home may be difficult with canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. Narrow doorways and halls, stairs, clutter and other trip hazards, and unsafe bathrooms are common challenges to seniors remaining safely in their homes.
- Health issues: Seniors who experience a decline in health or a sudden health crisis may be unable to summon help that would be available in residential care.
- Isolation and loneliness: Many seniors who live alone don’t get much contact with others. Outliving a spouse, siblings, and friends can feel isolating and lead to loneliness and withdrawal from the world around them.
- Transportation: After giving up driving or not feeling comfortable driving far from home, seniors must rely on others to get where they need to go.
- Home maintenance: Keeping a home in good condition and working order requires strength, energy, and money that many seniors lack.
- Changes are more difficult later: Selling a home and moving to an assisted living or care community may seem premature when a senior feels healthy and independent. However, that decision and the act of moving become much more difficult if their health or cognition declines in the future.
Costs of aging in place
Seniors who choose to remain in their homes typically find that their need for assistance increases over time. Things they once did easily may become difficult if not impossible as they get older. This doesn’t have to be a barrier to aging in place, but it can mean spending money to make sure all needs are met. Here are some examples of possible costs of aging in place:
- Housekeeping assistance (shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, and laundry).
- In-home senior care (bathing, dressing, medication reminders, and pet care).
- Medical alert systems and smart devices.
- Mobility equipment (walkers, scooters, and power chair lifts).
- Home modifications for safety and accessibility (installation of ramps, handrails, grips, walk-in bathtubs, comfort height (tall) toilets, pull-down racks for kitchen cabinets, and stair lifts).
- Regular home repair and maintenance (appliances, heating and cooling, painting, plumbing, electrical, and even replacement light bulbs and batteries).
- Yard maintenance (summer mowing, trimming, fertilizing, fall leaf removal, gutter cleaning, and winter snow and ice removal).
- Transportation to church, the store, medical appointments, social events, or just getting out of the house.
Preparing for aging in place
Seniors need to think through and plan around some special considerations to make aging in place workable. Too many people don’t plan and simply hope for the best. Preparing ahead of time can prolong the time you or your loved one can stay at home, help avoid unexpected problems over time, and ensure they remain comfortable, safe, and healthy.
How to pay for the costs
Seniors may choose to remain in their homes out of fear they can’t afford any other options. They believe it will be less expensive to stay where they are. Very often, this is true, but there will be expenses that weren’t necessary when younger. The good news is there are realistic ways to help pay for the costs of aging, even for those on a fixed income. Some options are:
- Veterans benefits through the VA.
- Reverse mortgages.
- Long-term care insurance (LTCi).
- Selling life insurance policies.
- Bridge loans or personal loans.
How to arrange for help
Aging in place doesn’t mean you have to continue to do everything for yourself. It’s reasonable to find help for things that become more difficult.
Family members are often helpful in making sure their loved one is well-equipped in their home and has their needs met. Friends, neighbors, and church members can visit, bring groceries, or provide a ride to doctors’ appointments or errands.
Organizations like Habitat for Humanity have elderly assistance programs that provide resources, services, and sometimes grants or expense funding. Area Agencies on Aging are located all over the United States and offer services that help seniors age in place.
Home care providers can be engaged to come in regularly and help with personal care and household tasks. Typically, these services are paid for out of pocket, but if a senior has a long-term care insurance policy, some or all of the expenses may be covered.
Aging in place can provide the safe, healthy, and happy life you or your loved one hopes for. With preparation and a good support system, it’s possible to remain in your much-loved home for years to come.