By Noor Shaheen
At some point, most of us will find ourselves trying to decide how and where we want to live as we age beyond 55. Home often represents the place where we find greatest comfort, familiar routines and meaningful memories. The alternative of moving to a senior living community means fewer household responsibilities, built-in social opportunities and access to care when we need it.
Most options fall into two broad paths: aging in place at your own home with added support delivered when needed, or moving to a senior living community designed with care and support right on campus. The best choice for you will depend on many factors, including health, finances, home structure, lifestyle preferences and support system. We’re here to help you think through your options so you can make informed decisions about your own aging future.
First, Identify Your Goals and Priorities
Whether you’re planning for yourself or someone you love, start by picturing daily life now and in the years ahead. Your priorities can help clarify whether aging at home or moving to a senior living community is the better fit.
Here are some helpful questions to explore:
- Home: Can I remain safe in my home as I age? Is the space easily accessible if my mobility or health changes? Can I afford repairs, maintenance and even modifications if I need them as I age in place?
- Lifestyle: What activities do I enjoy the most? Am I ready to give up basic household chores so I can have more free time? What happens if I can no longer leave home? Will I become too isolated?
- Support: If I need care and support, who will be around to help me? Will I be able to afford any professional support that I need? How can I even anticipate what type of care and support might be necessary as I age?
- Future needs: How would I cope after an illness, fall, hospitalization or change in memory or mobility? Are care options readily available if I stay at home?
- Socialization: What choices can I make that might make it easier for me to stay socially connected?
As you consider these questions for yourself, you should know there is no universally right answer. These answers simply help you name the environment and support structure that best fit your priorities.
What Does it Mean to Age in Place?
Aging in place means continuing to live in your own home as you age. It can work well when your home is safe and adaptable, when everyday responsibilities are manageable, and when dependable support is nearby.
Many older adults prefer this path because it keeps them in their beloved home, close to familiar routines, friendly neighbors and basic comforts. Choosing to age in place takes careful planning. You will need to consider transportation, home maintenance, home modifications, healthcare needs, social connection and what support would be available after a health change.
Is Support Available for Aging in Place?
Yes, support is available if you choose to age in place in your own home. You can even find resources to help you make plans to age in place by yourself. Depending on your needs, support may come from several sources:
- Villages: A Village is a nonprofit membership organization that helps older adults remain at home through volunteer services, transportation, social activities and home maintenance assistance. The national Village to Village Network tracks hundreds of these programs across the country. For example, Mount Vernon At Home supports adults 55+ in Northern Virginia with social, wellness and educational programs.
- Continuing Care at Home: A Continuing Care at Home program, or CCAH, is a membership-based model that combines long-term planning, care coordination and access to support if needs change over time. CCAH programs are often managed by organizations that also manage CCRCs, so they have experience caring for people as they age.
- Care managers: A care manager helps coordinate services, communicate with providers and advocate during healthcare transitions or medical appointments.
The right level of support depends on your needs, location, finances and preferences. Compare several providers and ask what each service includes, what costs extra, and how support and costs might change if your needs increase.
What Is Senior Living?
Senior living is a broad term for residential communities and care settings designed for older adults. Options differ in lifestyle, services, healthcare access and financial structure. Senior living may appeal to someone who wants fewer home responsibilities, access to on-site dining and wellness programs, more social connection or additional support as needs change.
Some options, such as 55+ communities, are intended for independent older adults who want age-restricted housing and amenities. Others, including Life Plan Communities (also known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities or CCRCs), assisted living, memory care and nursing homes, provide different levels of support.
When comparing senior living options, be sure to explore what levels of care are available, what services are included, whether transportation is provided, how residents stay engaged and whether the costs and contract terms are clear.
What Are Some Common Senior Living Options?
You have choices when it comes to senior living. Deciding which is best for you means choosing an environment that makes daily life easier and can support the level of care you need, now and perhaps for your long-term future.
- Nursing homes: Nursing homes provide the highest level of care and support to those who need assistance with activities of daily living. They can include skilled nursing environments with 24/7 medical and personal care for people who cannot be cared for safely at home but do not need to be in a hospital.
- 55+ communities: These age-restricted neighborhoods usually include smaller, more accessible homes and shared amenities. They work best for independent adults who want a simpler home but do not need healthcare services.
- Life Plan Communities: A Life Plan Community, also called a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC, offers independent living with access to higher levels of care as needs change, often on one campus. Goodwin Senior Living Campuses offer this kind of continuum through financial models that include life care contracts and rental options.
- Assisted living: Assisted living communities offer supportive environments for those who may need light supervision or help with basic activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, yet don’t need as much help as what is offered in a nursing home.
- Memory care: Memory care provides specialized support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, typically in a secure environment with structured routines and staff trained in cognitive care.
How Do the Costs of Aging in Place and Senior Living Compare?
Cost is one of the biggest factors when comparing aging in place and senior living, though there is no single answer to which option costs less. When considering costs, you must look at the full picture: housing, insurance, home maintenance, utilities, transportation, meals, services and future care needs.
The costs of aging in place may include mortgage or rent, utilities, property taxes, maintenance, home modifications, transportation, meals and paid assistance. Many who choose this option might expect family or friends to become caregivers when needs arise. There can be hidden costs to such a plan. Family caregiving requires time and may be affected by work schedules or other responsibilities. As an alternative to relying on family and friends, you might see if your community offers programs that support aging in place; such programs may charge membership or service fees. Other alternatives include hiring private care delivered to you at home when necessary.
The costs of senior living communities may vary. Some communities charge entrance fees or community fees, followed by monthly fees. These costs can vary widely and depend on location, type of care and services provided at the community, and contract structures. Often, the monthly fees bundle housing, maintenance, dining, transportation, amenities and activities; sometimes they also include healthcare services.
As you compare options, ask what each path includes, what it leaves you responsible for and how well it can support you if your needs change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I age in place if I live alone? Yes. Many older adults live independently with a plan for transportation, home maintenance, social connection and support. Family, friends, private care providers, Village programs and CCAH memberships can help.
- When should someone consider senior living? Any time is a good time to consider senior living. Life Plan Communities often present the most secure future, with options to join the community while being fully independent with direct access to a continuum of care as needed. Many choose instead to wait until care is needed. This presents more risk. Waiting until you need care can result in fewer options, because you will need to find a place that has availability to welcome you into their care.
- What is the difference between a nursing home and a retirement community? A retirement community is generally designed for older adults who are independent or need limited support. A nursing home provides 24/7 personal care and can also offer skilled nursing and medical care for people with significant health needs.
- What is the difference between memory care and assisted living? Memory care is specialized support for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Assisted living supports people who need basic help with daily activities without any need for a secure environment or the cognitive-care focus of memory care.
- Is it cheaper to age in place or move to senior living? It depends. Aging in place may involve home modifications and paid assistance, while senior living often bundles housing, dining, transportation and care. Compare what is included, not only the monthly price.
- Can I change my mind? Yes. Many people age in place for years and later move to assisted living, a nursing home or a senior living campus when that level of support is needed. For example, many Goodwin Living At Home members later become residents at Goodwin Senior Living Campuses.
Explore the Path That Fits Your Needs
The best choice is the one that supports your lifestyle today while leaving room for your needs to change. Compare aging in place and senior living options by looking at services, support, costs, location, relationships and future flexibility.
Goodwin Living offers options for older adults in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., including Goodwin Living At Home for people who want support while remaining at home and Goodwin Senior Living Campuses for those exploring a community-based lifestyle.
Ready to explore further? Learn more about these options and consider which path best supports your goals and future needs.
_________________________________________________________________________
Noor Shaheen is a Marketing and Communications Intern at Goodwin Living and a recent Business graduate from George Mason University. Noor has moved across state lines and oceans, so when she’s finally staying in one place, she enjoys baking, photography and finding new creative projects to start.
