How to Plan for Aging in Your Own Home

Ensuring your home is safe and accessible in advance, having open discussions with family about future needs, and planning for related financial needs are essential steps to aging at home. Preparation can make it possible for aging at home to be a more comfortable and secure experience.

It’s more possible than ever

The good news is that it’s more possible than ever to remain in your own home as you age. Contractors are widening doorways, installing grab bars, and modifying bathrooms.
 
As more of the population lives longer, more cities and counties are also adding services that make it possible for people to age at home without moving. Tech services, especially ride hailing apps, and grocery and food delivery apps, also make it easier to be at home than before.
 
Smart-home technology can also help, both practically and by supporting peace of mind. This includes cameras, security doorbells, fall-detection sensors, and smart appliances like stoves that warn if a burner is left on. Voice-controlled devices are especially useful if mobility or physical constraints become an issue.
 
Some people are also doing new things like adding an aging-friendly ADU (accessory dwelling unit) to their property and planning to move into that in the future.

Home modifications and safety

Many older adults live in homes that need modifications for safety, which often include addressing issues with stairs, narrow doorways, and bathrooms. The lists below include common modifications that add safety and ease.
 

Bathroom

• Consider a walk-in shower (to avoid falling while climbing over the edge of a tub).
• Add a shower chair or bench in the shower for bathing.
• Install grab bars on the shower wall (especially if using a chair or bench) and near the toilet.
• Replace glass enclosures with non-shattering material.
• Apply slip-resistant strips to the floor of the shower or bath (which are more effective than non-slip mats).
• Boost the toilet seat with a riser, or install a taller toilet (to avoid difficulty while getting up)
• If arthritis is an issue, install lever-style faucets (so difficult turning is not needed).

Bedroom

• Reduce clutter, especially for the paths that go from the bed to the door and the bed to the bathroom.
• Make sure the bed is easy to get into and out of. Low beds may need bed risers. Adjustable beds for additional comfort may also be helpful.
• If the house is more than one story, consider moving a bedroom downstairs.

Kitchen

• Make sure things used often are easy to reach – including by rearranging shelves or otherwise changing the configuration of the kitchen.
• Buy appliances with smart safety features – like a refrigerator that alerts if the door is left open or a stove that alerts when a burner is left on.
• Make sure that handles on drawers and the refrigerator are accessible when using a walker.

Organization and furniture

• Reduce clutter, especially in hallways and other paths so the house is easier to navigate.
• Buy chairs with armrests to make it easier to get up and sit down.
• Keep electric cords and other tripping hazards out of pathways — but don’t put them under rugs as this can also cause tripping.
• Remove area rugs if they are a tripping hazard.

Family conversations and expectations

Having serious discussions with family about future care needs and financial expectations is crucial. If open and honest, these conversations help manage expectations and responsibilities. It’s important to consider family dynamics and individual preferences early on. According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health-research nonprofit, only about half of adults aged 65 and older have had serious conversations with loved ones about their future needs, such as who will help take care of them and how they will pay for it.
 
Frank discussions between parents and children can be daunting. While it’s easy to chat about vacations or careers, talking openly about aging can be more challenging. Either parents or children can initiate these essential conversations.

Financial implications and resources

Aging at home relies heavily on financial resources. It’s important to understand what savings, home equity, and insurance will cover, as planning for expenses like in-home care is essential due to their substantial costs.
 
The median national cost for round-the-clock in-home care is about $24,000 a month, according to Genworth, a long-term-care insurance company, with even higher costs in states like California, where monthly median costs are close to $27,000.
 
Thus, financial planning is crucial. Many families will need a combination of long-term-care insurance, which may end up relying on a combination of savings and home equity.
 
It’s important to be aware of the benefits and limitations of insurance policies. Insurance can help, but it has limits. Private long-term-care insurance, which can be costly, will pay for in-home care but generally doesn’t cover the first 90 days of care and has payment caps. Short-term care insurance, which also covers home-care costs, is less expensive and typically offers a year of benefits.
 
In 2022, the median home equity for homeowners aged 65 and older was $250,000, according to a Harvard study, and about 60% of homeowners ages 65 to 79 were mortgage-free on their primary homes. Equity in the home — refinancing or a home-equity credit line — can help pay for remodeling and in-home care.
 

 
Sources:
AARP, “The Future of Aging in Place… Is Moving?”, published November 10, 2023
 
AARP, “Your Home Checklist for Aging in Place,” published December 22, 2021
 
Wall Street Journal, “The Keys to Aging at Home,” published September 25, 2024
 

 
This article was created in accordance with the Patelco editorial policy.