Everything to Know if You Want to Live and Age in Place
June 1, 2025
Most people would prefer the comfort of having their own space as they age. Studies show that as many as 90 percent of adults wish to remain home. Living in place, sometimes known as aging in place, also equates to maintaining independence for as long as possible.
“For many of us, home is comfort. There’s a history we are familiar with: It’s family, friends and neighbors. It reflects our culture and our community,” says Emily Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker. “As we begin to lose control of other aspects of our life, staying in our home says, ‘I can accept help, but I am still running the show.”’
Remaining home as you grow older requires careful consideration and thoughtful planning. Here’s everything you need to know about living and aging in place.
Make Your Plans Now
The best thing to do if you want to age in place is to plan for it now while you are still able to. Consider what kind of help you may need now or want in the future. Planning ahead gives you time to set up your home and budget for the required changes and services.
Be sure to factor in any health conditions you or your spouse may already have. Think about how that condition may make it difficult to care for yourself independently. Then, talk to family and friends about what level of support they can offer. Ensure everyone’s realistic and plan to revisit the issue periodically over time.
On average, an adult over the age of 65 falls every second in the U.S. You can prevent accidents at home with these simple safety measures:
- Apply contrasting colored electrical tape on stair landings.
- Remove throw rugs without grip from the home.
- Clear away clutter, including loose cords.
- This includes the outdoors; porches and walkways should be swept and shoveled.
- Ensure the home is well-lit and place night lights in halls and bathrooms.
- Always use handrails and install grab bars in showers and tubs and next to the toilet.
- Always wear proper-fitting supportive shoes in the house and outdoors.
As conditions change, you may need to reassess your home regularly for potential hazards. To troubleshoot, ask a family member or friend to complete a walkthrough with you for a second set of eyes.
Budget For Services
Home-based care services can be used in short-term situations, such as during recovery from surgery, or in the long term for those who need ongoing help. In addition to healthcare services, people may need help with chores, meal delivery, or transportation for doctor’s visits.
While home-based services can be expensive, they may cost far less than moving into an assisted living facility. The Eldercare Locator is a resource that connects people to caregivers through local support services.
People often rely on various payment sources, including personal funds, long-term care insurance, and government programs. For more information on government-based healthcare and financial assistance, visit USA.gov.
Prioritize Your Long-Term Health
If your goal is to stay home, then make your overall health maintenance a top priority. Stay current with your doctor’s visits and set alarm reminders for medications.
Make a plan to maintain body strength as you age, powerful legs to support balance and assist you in getting up safely from a seated position. “Strength, balance, and flexibility exercises are key to preventing falls, which are among the greatest threats to our healthy longevity,” says Scott Kaiser, a family physician and geriatrician.
In addition to scheduling regular exercise into your routine, don’t forget about your mental well-being. “Investing in meaningful relationships is one of the most important things we can do to increase our health, quality of life, and wellbeing,” says Kaiser. Remain engaged in social activities and plan visits with loved ones, including video calls with those who live farther away.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Always be prepared for unexpected events and medical emergencies. “Be proactive,” says Johnson. “Where are there gaps now or barriers to living independently in the future?” For instance, if you have a preexisting allergy or medical condition like diabetes, wearing a medical alert ID bracelet is a simple precaution. A wearable electronic monitor that can alert emergency personnel in the event of a fall is another easy measure to implement.
Even if the plan is to stay at home for as long as possible, there may come a time when that’s no longer safe. The decision about whether or not to move away from home is a difficult and emotional one to make.
It’s best to mentally prepare for that possibility now while there’s still time to have some control over where you’ll go. Learn as much as possible about the available housing options and include loved ones in the search.
Living in place is an attainable goal with the right amount of forethought. At Insureyouknow.org, you may store all of your financial and medical records in one easy-to-review place. By staying on top of your budget and health needs, you will have already taken care of the most critical components of your aging-in-place plan.