Aging in place is an idea that appeals to many seniors. Not surprisingly, a 2021 study by AARP found that 77% of people over 50 years old want to stay in their own homes as they age.  After all, change is stressful. Being in familiar surroundings is comforting.

When you stay in your exiting home you know where the light switch is in each room, how to set the cooking time on your microwave, and which neighbor you can call to find out if their lights went out when yours did.

If you get out regularly, you see familiar faces at the supermarket, your place of worship, the gas station, and the pharmacy counter at Walmart.  

But while there are many advantages to aging in place, there are some disadvantages too. Understanding the pros and cons is important whether you’re considering the best living options for yourself as you age or you’re helping an elderly relative or friend weigh their options.

The Benefits of Aging in Place

Aging in place means living as long as possible in familiar surroundings in your community instead of in residential care.  In many cases that’s the home you’ve lived in for years. For others, it means downsizing to smaller, more manageable quarters such as a small home, apartment, or condo with no steps to climb. And for some, it means moving in with a family member.

Among the advantages of aging at home are feelings of attachment, security, familiarity with surroundings, social connections, and autonomy. Maintaining control over one’s life and possessions comes into play, too.

Familiarity with Neighborhood and Home

A big benefit of aging in place is the comfort older people can derive by being in familiar surroundings. This sense of familiarity extends beyond knowing the layout inside one’s home; it also includes understanding neighborhood dynamics – from recognizing local shopkeepers to being aware of communal events. A study by the National Library of Medicine found that residing at home,  can provide seniors with “a sense of independence and freedom, self-worth and identity, comfort, and an ongoing active role in the community.”

Then, too, there are the memories and the emotional attachment to home.

Preservation of Independence and Self-Worth

Maintaining your independence is another important benefit to aging in place.  As you age, maintaining control over daily decisions such as what meals to eat, where and when to go shopping, what brand of soap to buy, and when to go to bed promotes healthier lifestyles and boosts overall happiness.

Staying with what’s familiar isn’t a one-size-fits-all choice, of course. Individual health and other factors can make other choices a better option.

Disadvantages of Aging in Place

Despite the advantages, there are a number of challenges associated with aging at home. They include factors such as* physical limitations, financial burden, and social isolation.

Financial Costs

Even when you own your home and the mortgage is paid off, the cost of aging in place can be substantial. Depending on where you live, property taxes on the home you’ve owned for years can be significant burden. For instance, if you live in certain parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, your real estate tax might eat up 30 to 50 percent of your annual social security income.

Beyond just the tax bill, though, are costs you pay to maintain large older homes or adapting them for accessibility purposes. Transforming a multi-story house into a home suitable for an elderly person might necessitate installing ramps or stairlifts and remodeling bathrooms so they’re wheelchair accessible or easy to get into and out of the tub.

On top of that is the cost of upkeep, such as lawn care, cleaning, and needed maintenance.   Roof leaking? Replacing could cost $8,000 to $25,000 and up depending on location, size of the house and other factors. Need a plumber? Expect to pay $50 to $150 and hour (or more) plus parts.  And then, there are those utility bills that keep going up. How much is it costing you to heat and cool all the unused rooms in your home?

Added to those expenses will be the cost of in-home care or home health aides, if necessary.

Physical Limitations

Health problems often present problems when it comes to independent living at home. Limited mobility can make everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, or reaching things on high shelves challenging or dangerous.

To counteract these issues, you remove trip and fall hazards (like throw rugs) and be sure you or the older person you’re caring for participates in regular exercise routines for maintaining and improving strength and balance. Consult with your medical care provider for recommendations. You also need to be sure to get medical advice promptly whenever any new health problem arises.

Social Isolation Risks

Remaining independent, particularly if you live alone, poses the risk of social isolation and loneliness. Studies have linked isolation and loneliness to increased risk for serious medical and psychological problems. Meanwhile, people who engage in meaningful activities and interactions tend to live longer.

Organizing routine visits from friends or relatives, joining groups sponsored by local resources such as your library, the YMCA, local colleges, other groups are ways to stay active, meet new friends and find resources.

While technology cannot replace human interaction entirely, online learning, online exercise courses and video calls via platforms like Skype or FaceTime can all help seniors stay connected and engaged.

Support Programs Available for Aging In Place

Depending on your location and financial resources, there are various support programs to help seniors continue to live at home.

Home health aides are one common form of help. They offer a range of services including personal care like bathing or dressing, meal preparation and medication management as well as light housekeeping duties.

In addition, there are many community-based programs available specifically tailored towards supporting homebound seniors such as Meals on Wheels which delivers nutritious meals directly into the homes of older people who might struggle with food preparation themselves. There are also organizations offering transportation services for medical appointments or grocery shopping trips which could prove difficult without reliable means of transport.

Assistance With Yardwork and Home Modifications

Indoor chores aren’t the only things that are difficult when you remain in your own home.  Yard work and snow removal are difficult or even dangerous as you advance in years. Your neighbors or local support groups may be able to provide names of reliable service providers to handle these chores.

Beyond routine upkeep tasks like mowing lawns or raking leaves, sometimes aging-in-place requires specific home modifications aimed at facilitating independent living conditions suitable for older people – ramps instead of stairs, entrances with grab bars installed in bathrooms significantly improve safety as mobility becomes an issue.

Funding options do exist: government grants such as HUD’s HOME program and USDA’s Rural Repair & Rehabilitation Loans & Grants may help you cover costs associated with necessary improvements.

Cognitive Decline and Aging in Place

 Cognitive decline can become a significant concern with age. memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or making decisions, can make aging in place more challenging for older adults. Recognizing the impacts of cognitive decline on daily life and taking proactive steps to manage it are key.

Identifying Signs of Cognitive Decline

Everyone forgets things.

• Where did I put the car keys?
• Why did I come into the den?
• What’s the name of boss’s wife?

It’s no big deal to forget things like that once in a while. But it is a concern when you or a loved has memory problems often, has difficulty completing routine tasks such as cooking a meal or paying bills, or can’t remember how to get home from the store.

Physical symptoms like unexplained weight loss might also indicate potential cognitive issues. HealthLine provides comprehensive information on the subject matter. But be sure to talk to your own healthcare professionals.

Managing Cognitive Decline at Home

To ensure safety for seniors experiencing cognitive decline, you may need to make certain modifications in the home. Here are several suggesions:

Get rid of clutter and clearly label cabinets where essential items are stored.

Set up medications in pill organizer boxes to help those with cognitive issues remember to take their medications each day. The organizers come in various configurations. Some have multiple compartments per day to accommodate medications that need to be taken at specific times.

Maintain routine schedules. Regular routines provide structure and comfort and reduce anxiety for people with memory impairment.  

Embrace technological solutions. Medication reminder apps, voice-controlled smart-home systems, fall-alert standalone devices or apps on smart watches, and GPS tracking devices such as Life360 enhance the quality of life and can help save lives.  

Comparing Aging in Place Vs Residential Care

The choice between aging in place or transitioning to a residential care facility, such as assisted living or a nursing homes has emotional and practical complexities. Both options come with their unique sets of advantages and challenges.

Quality of Life: Aging in Place

Staying in a familiar dwelling — whether it’s the longtime family home or a well-known neighborhood — provides an immense sense of security and continuity which can enhance a senior’s quality of life as they age.

In addition, maintaining control over daily routines fosters self-esteem.

Quality Of Life: Residential Care Facilities

Moving into an adult care facility or nursing home can be beneficial for people who need more extensive supervision or care. These establishments are equipped with professional staff who are trained to cater to the needs of people who need care and assistance —including those with cognitive decline or dementia. Depending on the facility, round-the-clock caregiver or medical assistance may be available, too.

In addition, these places also organize social activities for residents. 

Although such benefits may seem appealing, moving into any type of managed care community can be disruptive and unsettling for some people. Loss of privacy, loss of independence, difficulty in adapting, and possibly a feeling of being “abandoned” by family can be difficult for some people to cope with.

When is Aging in Place the Best Choice?

Ultimately, the decision as to whether to age in place should be based on health status, financial situation, social connections, and individual preferences. These factors that are likely to play the biggest role in your decision.

Health

Health status can be pivotal when considering aging at home or moving into residential care facilities like nursing homes. For example, older adults grappling with chronic illnesses and physical limitations may find it difficult to maintain independence within their longtime family

Conversely, those who are relatively healthy might opt for aging in place as it offers them greater autonomy and comfort.

Finances

Finances play a key role in your decision, too. You have to weigh the costs of maintaining and adding needed modifications for the aging to an older home, vs any initial costs plus ongoing monthly fees at adult care residences or communities. 

When your estimating stay-in-place costs, don’t forget to include costs for insurance and taxes, as well future expenses such as the cost of replacing major appliances or a heating system that fails. determining the cost to stay at home.

Social Connections and Personal Preferences

Aging in place helps maintain social ties within known neighborhoods and can provide emotional support during old age. But if your condition confines you indoors without intentional social opportunities, it could lead to isolation, especially if loved ones live far away or friends pass on over time.

In contrast, residential care facilities often organize structured activities, which provide chances for building new friendships and sharing similar experiences of growing old.

Evaluating Individual Circumstances

Last but certainly not least comes down to your personal preference: Are you or your loved one emotionally attached to your long-time dwelling? Or perhaps crave change – finding excitement exploring unfamiliar surroundings?

Weigh All the Options

An honest evaluation taking all the above-mentioned aspects into consideration will guide making informed decisions regarding staying put within familiar dwellings versus transitioning onto unknown territory based upon what serves best given the unique circumstances each person encounters during the later stages of life.

Deciding where to live in your later years is a highly individual choice and requires careful consideration. Remember, there isn’t necessarily one right answer — it’s about finding what works best given individual circumstances.