Aging in Place
Retaining one’s independence is a top priority for many as they age. One option for older adults is aging in place, where one continues living in their home or with family members instead of a long-term care facility.
“Aging in place allows seniors to maintain their independence, stay in a familiar and comfortable environment and receive personalized care tailored to their needs,” says Kalie Huntzinger, director of client services at the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging. “There’s something powerful about remaining in a place filled with memories, routines and the comforts of home.”
Aging in place simply means that someone remains in their home as they get older. Getting older can create new and unexpected challenges in daily living, which can make living at home difficult.
AARP reported in 2021 that, if given the choice, 77% of Americans over 50 prefer the idea of aging in place to living in a long-term care facility. But according to the U.S. Administration for Community Living, 70% of Americans will require some form of long-term care after turning 65.
Fortunately, home modifications, family assistance and in-home health care can help provide independence for many.
Why Age in Place?
Before she joined the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, Huntzinger was executive director at several assisted living facilities. While such long-term facilities do provide necessary, round-the-clock care, she says, aging at home has different benefits.
“While long-term care facilities offer essential medical support and social engagement, aging at home empowers individuals to live life on their terms with the right support in place,” she says.
Waking up each day in one’s own bed, greeting a beloved pet and following a familiar routine can all help an individual feel happy, secure and in control of their life.
“Familiar surroundings can help prevent depression and anxiety,” Huntzinger adds. “The sense of familiarity and connection to our past can bring an incredible sense of peace, which is hard to replicate anywhere else.”
Keeping up with neighbors and friends can be easier from home as well. An individual’s surroundings stay the same, and they can continue with hobbies in a familiar environment.
“Maintaining social connections with family, friends and neighbors reduces loneliness and keeps seniors engaged,” Huntzinger says. “And seniors can stay active in ways that feel natural to them, like gardening, walking in their neighborhood or continuing other daily routines.”
Aging at home can also help seniors avoid some of the common risks associated with long-term care facilities.
“Seniors often receive more personalized care. Caregivers and family members play a crucial role in helping seniors safely age at home,” Huntzinger says. “Providing emotional support, assistance with daily tasks and advocating for their medical care makes a huge difference. They can help by coordinating medical care, managing medications and ensuring the home is safe.”
In-home health care providers can supplement assistance provided by family members and friends.
“Bringing in a caregiver isn’t about losing independence; it’s about enhancing quality of life and ensuring one can stay safely in their home,” Huntzinger says. “Whether it’s a few hours of assistance with meals and housekeeping or full-time medical care, having the right support in place allows seniors to remain independent, comfortable and confident in their daily lives.”
How to Age in Place
Not every home is well-suited to meet an older adult’s needs. Stairs, showers and a lifetime of accumulated possessions can pose fall hazards, and many homes aren’t wheelchair-accessible.
Huntzinger says home modifications are very common among seniors who want to age in place.
“As we age, our mobility and needs change, and making small modifications can make a home much safer and more accessible,” she says. “The good news is that many of these adjustments can be simple and highly effective.”
Common home modifications include installing grab bars in bathrooms, hallways and at staircases; adding walk-in showers, chair lifts and ramps; widening doorways; improving lighting; and switching to lever-style faucets and doorknobs.
“The key is to be proactive and assess the home before safety becomes an issue to prevent falls and other hazards,” Huntzinger says.
Organizations like Habitat for Humanity and others like it can perform home assessments, to investigate whether an individual’s home may need modifications in order for them to continue living there safely. Funds for home modifications are available, in some cases, through Medicaid waivers, Veterans Affairs grants and other local nonprofits.
For many, aging in place offers an affordable and preferable alternative to long-term institutional care.
“Our homes are so special to us. They are where we’ve shared holidays, held our babies and grandbabies and created a lifetime of memories. Sometimes, our homes give us the comfort of being in the last place we saw the people we loved most,” Huntzinger says. “When seniors remain in a familiar environment, surrounded by their personal belongings, routines and community, they feel more secure and in control, which are key factors in reducing stress and improving mental health.”
