Aging in (the right) Place
By Estelle Rodis-Brown
Aging in Place. The concept seems straightforward: Stay in the home you bought decades ago rather than downsizing and moving to a 55+ community or a residential healthcare facility.
But over time, this assumption has become oversimplified and outdated; it is limiting for many older adults who recognize that staying in the same traditional home after retirement disregards their choice to age in a better-suited place.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says, “Aging in Place (AIP) is a term that is defined in a plethora of ways… and its definition has evolved over time.” The best version of AIP enables someone “to maintain independence in one’s place of residence as well as to participate in one’s community.”
Your Life, Your Way
Whether barely 55 or past 95, today’s older adults have options, even if a move becomes necessary. For some, aging in place means modifying the family home. For others, it’s moving to an age-friendly apartment, condo or house in a familiar neighborhood or within a senior community where support services are part of the package. It’s less about staying put and more about choosing the right place to grow older.
The objective is to maintain the ability to live in your preferred home and community safely, independently and comfortably over the years, thriving with outside support to meet your social, physical, medical and cognitive needs.
Planning is key. The NIH says to prioritize these three elements:
- Home Modifications & Repairs: Adapt the space for safety and accessibility (e.g., install walk-in showers, grab bars, stairlifts or smart-home monitoring). Several local agencies provide these services for free or at low cost (LakewoodAlive and Habitat for Humanity, for example). Or, you can contact local designers who are Senior Home Safety Specialists and experts in Aging-In-Place Home Safety (such as Rosalind Strickland Interior Design, LLC).
- In-Home Care Services: Bring help into the home, such as house cleaners, companions to drive you to appointments, home health aides, visiting nurses, meal prep and delivery services, or money managers.
Paying for in-home care can come from a variety of sources, including:
Personal funds: Savings, a pension or other retirement fund, income from investments, or proceeds from the sale of a home.
Federal, state and county government programs: Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Visit USA.gov for more information about government programs for healthcare and financial assistance.
Private financing: Long-term care insurance, reverse mortgages, some life insurance policies, annuities and trusts.
- Community Support: A combination of family caregivers, friends and community resources to assist with in-home services, social interactions, hobbies, outings, faith observances and other quality of life activities.
Be realistic and plan to revisit these decisions as needs change over time.
Do This Now to Be Ready Later
Assess your current home features and determine if it makes sense to age in place with modifications, or move to a more suitable living space. If you’re already in life’s third act, or still en route to retirement, a plan sets the stepping stones to your best years ahead.
Start with these three questions, according to an Aging In Place expert at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging:
1) Do you want to stay in your home for as long as possible?
2) Does your home meet all your health, social and financial needs?
3) Do you have a plan for aging in place?
Your answers affect whether you can successfully age in place in your current home after making accessibility modifications and receiving in-home support services, or whether it makes better sense to move closer to family or to a senior living community.
“I’m Staying”
If you want to remain in your current home, keep these three priorities in mind:
- Independence: Does your home allow you to maintain control over your daily routines, privacy and connection to your local neighborhood? Room by room, identify potential problems and safety issues. First, correct any immediate dangers (loose stair railings, poor lighting, sagging steps, etc.), then address other problem areas to ensure you will be as safe as possible at home. Can you move from room to room, up and down stairs, into and out of the tub or shower, and in and out of all doors safely?
- Cost-Effectiveness: Most renovations will be less expensive than facility-based care. If you need help paying for repairs and safety updates to your home, check with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, county social services department, community development groups, or the federal government for financial aid programs and discounts. You can also visit the Administration for Community Living (ACL) or call 202-401-4634 for more resources.
- Quality of Life: Emotional attachment to a familiar living environment promotes higher overall life satisfaction and self-esteem. Most older adults prefer staying in their current home, but they can still enjoy quality of life if they move in with or closer to adult children, or decide to pull up stakes altogether and live in another community.
“I Want to Move”
Whether you’re an active new retiree seeking adventure or someone who craves a serene environment with all your healthcare needs and activities supported with onsite services, senior living communities can be an attractive option.
With more people older than the age of 60 than ever before and the oldest Boomers turning 80 now, the senior living industry is coming up with creative concepts to appeal to those who want a change.
According to Senior Housing News, no community can be all things to all people, so operators are “picking a lane” to differentiate themselves. Boomers, in particular, are a diverse group. Some seek athletic and entertainment venues (think rooftop brewpubs and pickleball courts), while others want on-demand luxury services and in-house medical care and coordinated services.
Some communities consider themselves cruise ships on land, offering nonstop fun, food and drink, while handling all the housekeeping, healthcare and concierge services in a luxurious setting.
Others take a different approach, embracing social causes, environmental design and operations, community gardens, art-making spaces, lecture halls, libraries, movie theaters, tea rooms, fitness and yoga classes, and cooperative programs with area schoolchildren, for example.
Regardless of the lifestyle they support, senior living communities are shifting from top-down operating structures to a cooperative approach with residents who want a stake in deciding which amenities are prioritized. Residents want autonomy, maintaining control over their lives and homes, as part of a community that encourages a sense of purpose.
Northeast Ohio offers a wealth of options, whether you choose to Age In Place at home with an à la carte approach with support services and home modifications, or if you prefer an all-inclusive senior living community experience.
Improving your quality of life as you age means prioritizing safety, accessibility and a dependable support network. Once those basics are covered, you can relax and not just age—but thrive—in place.
Ready, Set, Downsize
Move Prep & Execution Timeline Checklist
If you choose to move, follow this handy checklist.
Week 1-2: Assessment and Planning
- Walk through the current home
- Measure the new space
- Identify must-keep items
- Set a realistic timeline
Week 3-4: Sorting and Decisions
- Start with one room (bathrooms are often easiest)
- Create categories: keep, donate, sell, discard
- Take photos of items for family members who can’t be present
- Research donation options
Week 5-6: Coordination and Removal
- Schedule movers, haulers, and donation pickups
- Pack systematically with clear labeling
- Arrange for cleaning and needed repairs
Week 7-8: Move and Setup
- Coordinate move day logistics
- Unpack and set up the new space
- Make the new place feel like home from day one
Source: Downsize & Thrive
When Living at Home Becomes a Problem
Sometimes a loved one insists everything is fine and they are capable of maintaining their independence at home alone. These signs may indicate that someone needs extra support:
Changes at Home
- Can they prepare meals on a stove safely?
- Are they bathing regularly and wearing appropriate clothing for the weather?
- Is the home relatively clean and free of clutter?
- Do they have the medications they need, and are they taking them regularly?
Mental Health
Changes in a person’s mood could indicate a need for help. Sometimes depression in older people is confused with normal aging. An older person with depression might brighten up for a phone call or short visit, but it’s harder to hide serious mood problems during an extended visit.
Seek immediate help if the person says they feel hopeless or have no reason to live, or if you’re worried they may harm themselves. Call or text the 24-hour 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). For TTY, use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Physical Health
Signs related to the person’s general health that can raise concerns include:
- Significant weight gain or weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- Confusion
- Falls
- Loneliness or social isolation
- Trouble walking or getting around
Memory Issues
Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. Significant memory problems, changes in thinking ability or personality, or poor decision-making could indicate a serious condition that requires medical attention.
There may come a time when your older relative can no longer live independently at home, comfortably or safely. Learn about alternative housing options, such as a residential facility (independent living, assisted living or nursing home/memory care facility) or living with a family member. These choices depend on the person’s health, ability to perform activities of daily living, financial resources and personal preferences.
Having conversations about their preferences and making a plan helps ensure they will get the care they want. Source: National Institute on Aging
Aging in Place Resources, Financial Assistance & Local Programs
Caregiver Action Network
202-454-3970
[email protected]
caregiveraction.org
Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116
[email protected]
eldercare.acl.gov
A government service that connects older adults and their families with local agencies on aging for support and services.
Family Caregiver Alliance
800-445-8106
[email protected]
caregiver.org
LongTermCare.gov
202-619-0724
[email protected]
acl.gov/ltc
Medicaid
877-267-2323
866-226-1819 (TTY)
[email protected]
medicaid.gov
Medicare
800-633-4227
877-486-2048 (TTY)
cms.gov
medicare.gov
National Council on Aging
NCOA.org
Offers tools to help find benefit programs and long-term care resources.
USAging
202-872-0888
[email protected]
usaging.org
Local Resources
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
216-791-8000
A regional nonprofit providing home and community-based services, financial wellness programs, and benefits assistance.
Direction Home Akron-Canton Area Agency on Aging
330-896-9172
Serving Portage County, they manage the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), which connects seniors to vital programs like PASSPORT, MyCare Ohio, and home health services. Call 1-877-770-5558 or explore services on the Direction Home Akron-Canton website.
Habitat for Humanity Aging in Place
Greater Cleveland: clevelandhabitat.org, 216-429-1299
Lake-Geauga: lake-geaugahabitat.org, 440-226-3000
Medina County: medinacountyhabitat.org, 330-723-9514
Portage County: habitatofportage.org, 330-296-2880
Summit County: hfhsummitcounty.org, 330-745-7734
Operates accessibility programs, renovations and repairs, specifically for homeowners over 60. They install grab bars, lower-threshold showers, address accessibility modifications and more. Check eligibility on the website.
Portage County Senior Services Center
This center partners with Family & Community Services to coordinate local senior activities, congregate meals, and transportation services. Call 330-297-3456 or visit the Portage County Senior Services directory.
United Way 2-1-1
For immediate local information and assistance with food, utility help, or housing, call 2-1-1 or visit United Way of Greater Cleveland.
