Ultimate Guide to Aging in Place

“Aging in place” is a new term for an old concept. Instead of looking into an assisted living facility or community, it’s the process of living out your golden years at home. 

And it’s gaining popularity. According to an AARP survey, “87% of aging adults 65+ say they want to stay in their current home or community as they age.”

The best way to prepare is to look at common risks and create a plan with your loved ones for the coming decades. Our guide addresses the risks of aging in place and how you can age successfully in your own home—even if you live alone.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.

Taking care of yourself is more important than any home modification. Your mental, physical, and emotional health can ensure years of happy aging in place surrounded by the people and things you care about.

Making new friends can be a challenge as you get older, but these new connections can keep you young. 

Find local meetup groups through your place of worship or community centers based on your interests. Find activities through exercise groups or enroll in classes to learn new skills and meet others. Volunteering is another great way to meet new people, stay active, and maintain a purpose. 

You can also turn to the internet to meet new friends. There are message boards, online book clubs, and online communities for almost any interest out there. From genealogy to woodworking, you can meet others around the world who share your interests.

Whether it’s gardening, watching sports, reading about history, or other hobbies, don’t let your hobbies fall by the wayside. Staying mentally and emotionally stimulated feeds your brain and keeps you motivated.

You don’t need to be an athlete to stay active. Even a simple evening walk after dinner or an exercise class can keep your blood pumping and bones healthy. 

For caregivers of an older person, you can share simple exercise routines with them that they can do sitting down.

It's time to look at your home's safety through the lens of accessibility and fall prevention. Falls are a leading cause of injury in those over 65 and hospitalize thousands of seniors every year.² 

Even if you’re steady on your feet now, a misplaced rug or slippery bathtub could leave you hurt and unable to get help. Putting safeguards and safety devices in place now can prevent serious injuries later. 

Stairs can pose a challenge as we age. Aching joints, shortness of breath, and uncooperative feet can make it painful or downright unsafe to go up and down stairs throughout the day. While stair lifts are certainly an option, sometimes the simplest solution is to live solely on the first floor.

That usually means moving your bedroom downstairs and using the first-floor bathroom, if applicable. Reserve the upstairs rooms for guests or storage. 

If your home just isn't designed for single-floor living, that's okay—you don't have to move or pay for a complete remodel. Instead, make the stairs as safe as possible with some extra modifications:

• Install a second handrail on the other wall so you can stabilize yourself with both hands.
• Remove slippery carpet and install traction tape on each tread. 
• Keep the stairs well-lit with motion-activated lights.

Try not to rush up or down the stairs, since that's when you're more likely to lose your balance or misplace your feet. Also, my grandpa recently shared how he stays safe when navigating his staircase: He goes down backwards! Apparently it feels more stable. 

Don't forget about outdoor stairs too. Wooden stairs need regular maintenance or they'll rot—and that's a nasty fall waiting to happen. 

Outdoor stairs also need to have secure railings. If you can wiggle the existing railing, it's not sturdy enough. It should be rock-solid to support your full weight.

Even the one or two stairs you successfully navigated in your younger years can become tricky to climb without something to hold onto. Don't wait until you've tumbled sideways into a bush (true story) to realize the benefits of a railing. 

Slippery bathroom surfaces, high-walled tubs, too-low toilet seats, and out-of-reach toiletries are just a few examples of bathroom safety concerns older people face. With so many things to talk about in this one room, we created a separate guide: How to Improve Bathroom Safety for Seniors.

Make sure your bed is easy to sit on and doesn't require you to climb into it. Lower the legs on the bed frame, choose a lower bed frame, or opt for a thinner box spring. If you can't sit on the edge of your bed and comfortably put on your shoes, make sure there's a sturdy chair nearby for such a purpose.

You may also need to install bed rails to stabilize yourself as you get in and out of bed.

Keep the foot of any sheets or blankets firmly tucked into the mattress. They can pose a trip hazard if they get loose and catch your feet.

Install motion-activated lights near your bed to guide you during late-night bathroom sessions. Keep dirty laundry in a hamper, not on the floor, so there's one less thing to trip over. 

Re-arrange your kitchen cupboards so you're not excessively bending and reaching for heavy things. If you can afford a little renovation, install pull-down shelves in upper cabinets and pull-out shelves in lower cabinets. Otherwise, move everyday items within easy reach and use a sturdy step stool for everything else. 

It also may be time to lovingly pass down your favorite cast iron cookware and start using lightweight options.  

Get more ideas in our Room-by-Room Safety Guide for Seniors.

Evaluate your usual emergency plans from an aging-in-place perspective and modify them accordingly. For example, if the door to your tornado shelter is getting too heavy for you to open, make sure you get it replaced with lightweight material. Network with neighbors to figure out an evacuation plan if you no longer drive and there's a threat of wildfire or flooding. 

And when prepping for house fires, make sure all exits out of your home are safe, whether that means they have a ramp, railing, or non-slip surface. 

If you do have a medical emergency, leave care instructions for first responders. A commonly used document is the Vial of Life, which is kept on the fridge and contains information about current medications, medical history, preferred doctors, and emergency contacts. 

Smartphones also give you the option to share similar emergency data. Instead of typing in your PIN, the first responder taps the emergency icon to see whatever information you've agreed to share.

Getting around may be easy now (minus some popping joints here and there), but things change as you age. 

Consider how you’ll get around in the future. Whether it’s from your bed to the bathroom or down the street to the grocery store, our ability to move changes as we age in place.

There’s a level of risk for drivers of any age. But as you get older and your eyesight and reaction time decreases, getting behind the wheel can get riskier. 

Driving later in life depends on maintaining your eyesight and staying safe from distractions like your cell phone or GPS device. You can also make modifications to your car to increase safety and comfort. Learn more in our guide: How to Help Aging Parents Drive Safer.

Other GPS vehicle trackers can help you if your car gets stolen and even provide regular maintenance reports. 

As you age, familiarize yourself with rideshare programs in your area like Uber and Lyft. You can also check out Uber Health, a rideshare program specifically for doctor visits and health checks. 

There are many senior transportation options beyond the bus, train, Uber or Lyft. Check out our guide to the Best Transportation and Ride Share Programs for Seniors.

Home automation makes aging in place more convenient, safe, and comfortable than ever before. As there's a lot to cover, we've created a separate guide that dives into the nitty-gritty: How Smart Home Tech Can Help Older Adults

Thinking about the future is tough, especially when it comes to big issues like aging in place. Making arrangements for your future self with your loved ones about the coming years can save them from tough decisions. 

Discuss the turning points and how long you want to be independent. Help create a plan with them about what they should do when you are unable to safely live alone. Will you live with them or move into an assisted living community? 

Making these decisions now and preparing for the future will give them confidence that they’re providing the level of care you want.

• How to Talk to Your Parents About a Medical Alert System
• Is Home Health Care Tax Deductible?
• How to Ensure Your Loved One Is Safe in a Nursing Home

1. AARP Livable Communities, “Baby Boomer Facts And Figures.” Accessed May 2, 2023. 
2. National Council on Aging, “Get the Facts on Fall Prevention,” March 2023. Accessed May 2, 2023.