A Guide to Aging in Place

As we age, it’s common to feel a strong desire to stay close to the things we know and love. That’s one of the reasons aging in place has become so popular, with 95% of adults age 55 and over saying it is an important goal for them, according to a 2024 U.S. News and World Report.

While aging in place has many appealing aspects, it also comes with challenges. Below, we explain six of the most common and significant obstacles that seniors aging in place may face, and offer solutions.

Aging in place is when a senior decides they want to continue living in their own home rather than moving to a senior living community. Many seniors may prefer to do so because of their social networks in the community, the familiarity of staying in their homes, and the cost of senior living, among other reasons. Still, it does come with some challenges.

While aging in place sounds appealing to most, it isn’t always a better alternative to senior living. Here are some situations when aging in place may not be the right choice:

• Your family lives far away or works full-time, so they won’t be around to help you.
• You don’t have close friends in the community.
• You need an overnight caregiver.
• You need regular access to medical equipment or supplies.
• You are wheelchair-bound, and your home has narrow doorways or hallways.
• You aren’t comfortable having paid caregivers in yuor home whom you don’t know.
• You no longer drive, and public transportation options aren’t accessible.

One of the benefits of moving to a senior living community is the built-in social network of neighbors in the same life stage as you and the preplanned social activities. Aging in place, you may be prone to isolation and loneliness, especially if you live alone and don’t have family and friends who live nearby.

You can help someone who’s facing loneliness and isolation aging in place with the following:

• Look into adult day care programs and other social activities at a senior community center
• Set up regular video chats with your loved one
• Hire an in-home companion care aide
• Consider helping your loved one move to an area near family or close friends

Unlike seniors who move to a residential community, those who age in place are still responsible for all of their own meals. It may be difficult for seniors who age in place to maintain a well-balanced diet and proper nutrition due to mobility, motor, and cognitive challenges that can make it difficult to cook or remember to eat. Or, if they no longer drive, accessing food can be a challenge.

Some signs of nutrient deficiencies or poor nutrition in a senior include:

• Unexpected weight loss
• Brittle hair and nails
• Cracking and inflammation around the mouth and/or a swollen tongue
• Frequent diarrhea, which can be a sign of malabsorption

You can help someone who’s facing poor nutrition while aging in place with the following:

• Use meal delivery services to send nutritious food to their doors
• Find a Meals on Wheels provider near your loved one’s home
• Hire an in-home care aide who can help with grocery shopping and cooking
• Arrange grocery delivery including many prepared foods
• Do virtual cooking sessions over video chat
• See if any local resources are available that provide companion care involving going out to eat

It’s common for seniors to struggle to complete the activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include the tasks that most people must do on a daily basis, including eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting. Mobility and cognitive challenges that come with age can make some of these tasks difficult.

Some signs that your loved one is struggling to complete ADLs include:

• Unexpected weight loss or gain
• Unexplained bruises or other signs of injuries
• Body odor and an unkempt appearance
• Rewearing the same clothes repeatedly
• An excessively messy home

You can help someone who’s struggling to complete ADLs while aging in place with the following:

• Get an ADL assessment so you know exactly in what areas they need help
• Use assistive technology to make certain tasks easier
• Hire an in-home caregiver to assist with any ADLs that have become difficult
• If the problems are physical, look into occupational or physical therapy

Senior living communities like assisted living facilities have staff available around the clock to help in emergencies and with some health care needs like medication management and wound care. This can be especially important if you have a chronic condition, like diabetes, that requires regular management.

You can help someone manage their health care needs while aging in place with the following:

• Make sure they’re aware of and signed up for telehealth options
• Hire a home health care aide
• Seek community health centers or senior centers that may provide some medical supervision
• Look into adult day care programs that may have nurses on staff

Home design is very important when it comes to safely aging in place. However, many people who age in place have been in their homes for years, and thus, their homes often aren’t optimally designed. Homes with multiple floors, slippery surfaces, entryway stairs, or any number of other design features can pose risks to seniors aging in place.

You can help address home safety and mobility concerns for someone aging in place with the following:

• Make home modifications like installing a stairlift, walk-in tub, and/or railings
• Make smaller changes around the home, like removing slippery rugs or turning a downstairs room into the primary bedroom
• Hire an in-home care aide who can monitor for safety and help with difficult movements, like getting up and down the stairs
• Get a medical alert system with fall detection to prevent further injury if a fall or other medical emergency does occur

Senior living is expensive, and some people choose to age in place because they can’t or don’t want to pay for a senior living community. However, even if you remain in your current home, aging in place does have its costs, including:

• Potential home modifications
• Potentially paying an in-home caregiver
• Food, which is often included in the cost of senior living
• Home maintenance and cleaning, which is included in the cost of senior living
• Transportation, whether that be a car payment or a ride service
• Home security devices
• Assistive technology like medical alert systems

The following financial resources may be available to help someone who is aging in place: