A Guide to Aging in Place

If you're like many seniors, you think of home as a comforting and familiar place where you can be close to family, beloved pets and your favorite things. Naturally, you'd prefer to stay in your own home for as long as possible throughout your golden years, but certain medical conditions and disabilities can make living alone difficult for some. Even if you're in good health, you may have trouble moving around your home, taking care of chores and doing other things you once used to.

Fortunately, seniors have access to many services and supports that can help them stay in the home they love. In this guide, you'll discover the benefits and challenges of aging in place, supports and tips for aging in place safely and whether staying in your home is the best option for you.

Aging in place means staying in your own home as you get older instead of moving to assisted living, a nursing home or other type of long-term care facility. It's an appealing choice for seniors who want to maintain their current lifestyle and level of independence. Some seniors can age in place alone, while others may need some support, such as a visiting aide or live-in caregiver.

Seniors who can age in place can enjoy a wide range of benefits. These include:

• Lowered costs for care: According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, seniors nationwide pay an average of $4,500 per month for assisted living, and a semi-private nursing home room averages $7,908. If you're a homeowner and have paid off your mortgage, the cost savings of staying at home can be significant.
• Easy access to trusted support: Seniors who live with family or have friends and relatives nearby can tap into a familiar network of support.
• Preserving your lifestyle: Moving into a long-term care facility can mean big changes in the way you live. Staying at home allows you to maintain your routine, which many older adults find comforting.
• Fostering empowerment and independence: Being able to handle tasks at home can contribute to feelings of self-worth and value for seniors.

Although aging in place has many benefits, it's not without potential drawbacks and challenges. It's important to evaluate these possibilities before deciding if aging in place will work for you. Challenges may include:

• Home modifications: According to the National Poll On Healthy Aging, only one in seven older adults said they'd given careful consideration to modifications they may need to stay at home. You may need to install modifications such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways and stair lifts, which can be expensive. There are some programs that can install modifications for free or at a low cost — but waiting lists are long, and organizations typically cap the number of households they serve in a year.
• Hiring a caregiver: If you require some help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, making meals or getting dressed, you might need to pay for a home caregiver. This is usually more expensive than assisted living, costing seniors an estimated average of $4,957 per month.
• Health conditions: If you have any chronic illnesses, disabilities or serious injuries, living at home may be difficult or even unsafe. Home health care is available, but it will cost you an average of $5,148 per month.
• Home maintenance responsibilities: If you're a homeowner, you're responsible for maintenance such as repairs, yard work and regular upkeep. It can be difficult to do these things as you age, so you could need to pay someone else for services.

Aging in place can be a smart option for many people. You should consider aging in place if you:

• Can perform most tasks independently at home
• Live with or near family and friends who can help
• Can financially purchase home modifications, if needed
• Are able to drive or have someone drive you to places you need to go
• Can pay for maintenance, or rent a home where maintenance is included
• Live in a one-story building

Aging in place has many benefits, but unfortunately, it isn't right for everyone. If more than one of the following applies to you, it may be best to consider another kind of care.

• You live alone
• You have a disability, illness or injury that makes getting around difficult
• You are in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia
• You live in an isolated or rural location
• Family and friends live over 30 miles away
• You've stopped driving and/or have no access to reliable transportation
• You don't live within walking distance of stores, pharmacies or recreational areas
• You're unable to pay for home modifications/repairs

Seniors who'd like to age in place have access to many services and supports that can help. If you're on a limited income, you may be able to find local programs that provide certain services for a lower cost or even for free.

In-home care provides help with your activities of daily living, including grocery shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation and personal care. Nationally, it costs an average of $4,957 per month. Medicare only covers part-time home health care; services like personal care and housekeeping aren't covered if this is the only type of help you need. However, Medicaid will cover the cost of in-home care for seniors who meet financial and asset limit requirements.

Adult day care provides daytime supervision and social interaction for seniors in a safe, comforting environment. It's often used by family members who need temporary respite from taking care of their loved one at home. Adult day care facilities offer services such as fun activities, educational programs, exercise classes and field trips to area attractions. Some facilities may also provide help with taking medications, physical therapy, health monitoring and other basic medical services.

Assistive technology (AT) includes things such as medical alert systems, sound amplification devices, magnifying devices, screen readers, memory aids and electronic pill dispensers. Medicare Part B pays for up to 80% of the cost for items considered durable medical equipment. Depending on your state, Medicaid may also cover part of the cost. You can look for local nonprofit organizations that donate equipment or allow you to borrow it until you're able to buy your own.

Senior-friendly transportation services provide low-cost or free transit to people in a designated service area. These vehicles are typically accessible for seniors who use walkers and wheelchairs. Many services also offer door-to-door transit for those who cannot use their local public transportation system.

There are several ways you can improve the safety of your home if you'd like to age in place. These include:

• Stair lifts: This equipment allows seniors to get up and down stairs. It's ideal for people who use a wheelchair or have trouble walking.
• Ramps: If you're a wheelchair user, adding ramps to your home can make it easier and safer to get around.
• Home elevators: A home elevator enables seniors to easily move between floors and is especially useful in multilevel buildings.
• Flooring modifications: Shaggy carpet can be a tripping hazard, and surfaces such as hardwood, tile and laminate can be slippery and lead to falls. Nonslip surfaces, such as rubber, bamboo and stone, are better options.
• Bathroom modifications: Shower safety strips and grab bars are good choices to help prevent falls in the bathroom. Also consider a bathtub transfer bench, which allows you to get into the tub safely from a sitting position.
• Kitchen modifications: These can include lowered counters and cabinets, microwave stands and nonslip mats.
• Lighting improvements: Install bright LED bulbs throughout the home, particularly around stairs and entryways, to help prevent trips and falls.