What Does "Aging in Place" Actually Mean?

If you're reading this, chances are something has changed. Maybe your mom had a fall. Maybe your dad's been forgetting things. Maybe you just noticed that the house isn't as clean as it used to be, or the fridge is full of expired food.

Whatever it was, you're now in that uncomfortable space where you're trying to figure out what to do—and you keep running into this phrase: "aging in place."

So what does it actually mean? And is it the right choice for your family?

The simple definition

Aging in place means staying in your own home as you get older, rather than moving to a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other care institution.

That's it. It's not a program or a service—it's just a way of describing the goal of helping someone remain in their home for as long as safely possible.

For most seniors, this is what they want. Survey after survey shows that the vast majority of older adults—around 90%—would prefer to stay in their own home rather than move to a facility. It makes sense. Home is familiar. Home is comfortable. Home is where the memories are.

What it takes to age in place

Here's where it gets complicated. Just because someone wants to stay home doesn't mean they can do it without help. Aging in place usually requires some combination of:

• Physical help — assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, or getting around
• Medical support — managing medications, attending doctor's appointments, monitoring health conditions
• Home modifications — grab bars in the bathroom, better lighting, removing trip hazards, maybe a stair lift or ramp
• Social connection — companionship, someone to talk to, help staying engaged with life
• Coordination — someone keeping track of all the moving pieces and making sure nothing falls through the cracks

The amount of help needed varies enormously. Some people just need someone to check in a few times a week. Others need round-the-clock care. Most fall somewhere in between—and needs often change over time.

The three ways families typically handle it

Option 1: Family does everything

Many families start here. Adult children take turns checking in, helping with groceries, driving to appointments. It works for a while, but it's exhausting—and it often leads to burnout, especially when care needs increase.

Option 2: Hire through an agency

Home care agencies employ caregivers and send them to your home. The agency handles payroll, scheduling, and backup coverage. The downside? You're typically paying $28-35 per hour, but the caregiver is only seeing $13-16 of that. And you often have little say in who shows up.

Option 3: Hire caregivers directly

Some families find and hire caregivers themselves—through Care.com, word of mouth, or local job boards. You get more control and the caregiver gets paid more, but you're responsible for vetting, scheduling, taxes, and figuring out what to do when someone calls in sick.

Is aging in place right for your family?

Aging in place isn't always the best choice. It depends on:

• Safety — Can the home be made safe enough? Some homes just aren't suitable for someone with mobility issues or dementia.
• Care needs — How much help is needed? At some point, the level of care required may exceed what can reasonably be provided at home.
• Cost — Is it affordable? Depending on how many hours of care are needed, staying home can be more or less expensive than a facility.
• Family capacity — Can family members help coordinate and provide backup support?
• The senior's wishes — What do they actually want? This matters most of all.

There's no universal right answer. Every family's situation is different.

Where to start

If you're just beginning to think about this, here are some first steps:

1. Have the conversation — Talk to your parent about what they want. This can be hard, but it's important. (We wrote a whole article about how to have this conversation.)
2. Assess current needs — What help do they need right now? What might they need in 6 months or a year?
3. Look at the home — Walk through with fresh eyes. Are there safety hazards? What modifications might help?
4. Understand the costs — Get a realistic picture of what different options would cost. (Our article on home care vs. nursing home costs can help.)
5. Don't go it alone — Whether it's family, friends, or professionals like us, get support. This is too big to figure out by yourself.

The bottom line

Aging in place is simply the goal of helping someone stay home as they age. It's what most seniors want, and with the right support, it's achievable for many families.

But it takes work. It takes planning. And it takes help.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, that's normal. This is hard stuff. But you don't have to figure it all out today, and you don't have to figure it out alone.