There’s real comfort in staying in a place that feels like home — a space filled with familiar routines, memories and the rhythm of daily life. For many older adults, remaining at home as they age feels deeply personal and important. And the desire to age in place makes perfect sense.
However, consider whether you and your loved ones are truly prepared for what aging at home requires — not just emotionally and logistically but also financially. Recent discussions surrounding rising health care demands and costs are bringing these realities to light and prompting important conversations among families.
Most seniors express the desire to age in place, meaning they would prefer to stay at home in their later years. The challenge is that many of them will need help — after all, those 65 and up have a nearly 70% chance of requiring long-term care services or support in the years ahead.
This aligns with findings from a national survey that The John A. Hartford Foundation performed, stating that “health care costs are a bigger concern to older adults than living expenses, inflation, tax increases and an economic downturn or recession,” with one of the greatest concerns being the inability to afford future health and long-term care needs.
Aging at home has become less attainable in recent years due to rising costs. At the same time, medical advances have helped people live longer, but not always in good health. This means lifespans are increasing, but healthspans — the years lived without disease or impairment — aren’t keeping pace. As a result, more people are spending their later years managing chronic conditions, which can affect independence, quality of life and their ability to age at home.
The reality is that aging in place doesn’t always mean spending less, particularly as prices continue to soar. Almost half of all seniors (49%) claim that cost-of-living increases make it difficult for them to age in place. So, what do these expenses look like, and what factors do you need to consider?
When older adults need around-the-clock care for an extended period of time, families tend to be the ones to put in many of the care hours due to the rising cost of home health care. This puts a huge emotional and financial strain on families, who may not have resources available to cover the cost of long-term care at home. Moreover, many family caregivers must relocate, go part time or quit their jobs altogether, further straining finances.
For those who hire professionals, the average cost of a home health aide was $34 per hour in 2024. For those needing part-time assistance of about 20 hours per week, that can mean costs of around $2,700 a month. Those requiring full-time assistance (defined as 44 hours per week) can expect to pay approximately $6,483 per month. Naturally, your costs may be higher; these figures are national averages and can vary by state.
In addition to these challenges, finding and keeping home health aides — even though they’re in demand — can be difficult due to the emotional and physical demands of the job, which cause many aides to leave the field. Frequent turnover often creates additional strain on families.
When thinking about the cost of aging at home, most families focus on large items, such as paying for medical care or hiring a home health aide. But the everyday expenses of running a household often get overlooked, even though they can add up just as quickly. Even typical expenses can total thousands of dollars per month, such as your:
A study by Caring.com explores these expenses, revealing that for seniors in many states, assisted living is actually a more affordable option than aging in place in this regard.
Regular upkeep — such as repairs, yard work or appliance replacement — adds another layer of ongoing responsibility. And beyond the basics, there are the everyday costs of transportation, social outings and entertainment, all of which contribute to overall quality of life. While the home itself may feel familiar and comforting, it’s important to weigh those feelings alongside the hidden — and growing — financial demands.
To safely age in place at home, many houses need modifications, and the costs can be significant. Beyond adding grab bars in the shower, these adjustments might involve:
Home accessibility and preparedness are other significant factors affecting one’s ability to age in place. In a U.S. News & World Report survey of 1,000 adults ages 60-92, 43% of respondents stated their home is minimally or not at all ready for aging in place. And these upgrades aren’t cheap — according to HIT Consultant, these modifications can range anywhere from $3,000-$15,000.
Families may also need to invest in medical equipment and supplies, such as:
Once again, many families choose to take on caregiving themselves because the cost of in-home care feels out of reach, or they struggle to find caregivers they fully trust. But caregiving at home often requires more than love and good intentions — it can reshape daily life in ways few anticipate.
The time commitment alone can be staggering. Family members might find themselves taking time off work or away from other duties to:
Many even quit their jobs, go part time, close their business or move out of their own homes — decisions that, while made out of love, can put their own financial stability at risk. A 2025 trend report from Guardian Life found that, on average, caregivers spend 26% of their income on caregiving-related expenses. Additional research from AARP reveals that 23% of caregivers report being in debt due to their caregiving responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the emotional toll can be just as significant. Caregivers are 48% more likely to experience increased anxiety, depression or other mental health issues in the past year, with 27% stating “their caregiving responsibilities cause them a great deal of stress.” So, while choosing to age at home may feel like the simpler path, it’s important to consider how it can affect not just the person receiving care but also the entire family.
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Real Residents. Real Stories. When the condition became too difficult to manage at home, Hezla and Pareed, with the encouragement of their daughters, decided to move to Piedmont Gardens. They knew that the community would provide Pareed with the support he requires while also giving Hezla the opportunity to live in the independent living apartments on campus. “At first, I didn’t think moving to a Life Plan Community would be the right fit for us, but the more we researched our options, it became apparent that this was exactly what we needed,” Hezla says. “Pareed is receiving the proper care he needs, which gives me great comfort and security. I cannot say enough good things about the support we have received from the Piedmont Gardens team members and other residents.” |
In addition to caregiver stress, aging in place can also limit socialization opportunities for older adults. In fact, results from an Alignment Health survey show that 64% of seniors named aging in place as their primary social risk. And that wasn’t their only worry; leading concerns also included lack of support (34%) and lack of transportation (31%).
A traditional suburban neighborhood simply isn’t the ideal environment for older adults to thrive. Surrounded by busy families and young homeowners, they typically don’t have much in common with their immediate neighbors. Also an issue in more rural areas, aging adults without access to reliable transportation tend to have limited options for social outings or extracurriculars.
The reality is that those who opt to age in place are often choosing to endure financial strain for the sake of familiarity. In most senior living communities, many of these expenses are covered in the base price you pay. These pricing contracts promise predictability in monthly expenses, significantly reducing the burden of financial planning.
Below are just a handful of line items older adults must take into account if they opt for aging in place over senior living:
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Expense |
Approximate Cost (Monthly) - Aging in Place |
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Housing Costs |
Rent: $1,900 on average Mortgage: $2,329 on average |
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Food/Meals |
Groceries: $370 per person on average |
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Health Care |
$1,300 on average for those 60 years and older |
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Transportation |
$1,100 on average for U.S. households |
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list but rather a few examples demonstrating how quickly monthly expenses add up — and these are just the ones we can plan for. Note that the above breakdown doesn’t include any spending on other necessities (e.g., utilities, debts or insurance), travel, hobbies or leisure activities.
It’s not just about where you live but also knowing you’ll be cared for no matter what the future holds. Life Plan Communities offer a supportive alternative to aging at home, combining active, independent living with the security of on-site support should your needs ever change.
This approach can ease many of the challenges families face when trying to support family members at home, such as the emotional toll of caregiving and the financial uncertainty that can come with unexpected health needs or home expenses.
Many people choose a Life Plan Community because it offers something invaluable: a sense of stability.
And in most HumanGood communities, there’s added reassurance of knowing that the benevolence fund is available to support Life Plan contracted residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own, ensuring they can continue to call the community home. As a nonprofit organization, HumanGood believes everyone should have the opportunity to live with enthusiasm, confidence and security, regardless of their physical, social or economic circumstances.
In any case, home is less about the house you live in and more about the people and relationships that make coming home so meaningful. What’s most important is you live in a place that inspires you to learn, connect and live your best, healthiest life.
So, as you plan for your future, be sure to consider all of your options, including alternative options to aging at home, such as a Life Plan Community. Read our free guide to learn more about what choosing a Life Plan Community can do for you.