Cathy has been researching and writing about safe aging since 2021. She holds a certificate in gerontology and is one of the internet's most knowledgeable voices in senior safety tech. Her research centers on a hands-on, empathetic approach.
Many people remain healthy and mobile in their later years, fully capable of living at home safely and independently. But there often comes a time when we start needing extra support. Does it make sense to stay at home — an approach known as aging in place — or is it better to move somewhere else?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
The pros and cons of aging in place
When staying at home may no longer be the best option
Alternative options and how they compare
What to consider when choosing the best path for you
Our goal is to help you figure out where you’ll enjoy the best quality of life.
Aging in place means staying in your own home as you get older, rather than moving into a senior living facility. For many people, it’s the preferred option. Home is familiar, comfortable, and tied to independence.
Aging in place can include different levels of support, such as:
Getting help from family members or friends
Hiring a professional in-home caregiver
Making home modifications to improve safety (like grab bars or stair lifts)
For older adults who are relatively healthy and capable, aging in place can be a practical and fulfilling choice. But as care needs increase, staying at home may require more planning and support than expected.
Pros and cons of aging in place
Aging in place is often considered the best-case scenario. "Studies have shown that there's a significant number of people who will live longer if they're in familiar surroundings," says SafeWise advisor Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE.
It's also the most popular option among older adults. A 2024 survey by AARP found that three in four Americans want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. Stanford University researchers found that the majority of Americans (80%) would also prefer to die at home if given the opportunity.
And that makes sense. Home is a place of comfort, security, familiarity, and identity. Moving can be a jarring, uncomfortable experience.
Pros
Staying in a familiar environment reduces stress and anxiety
You maintain control over your lifestyle, routine, and schedule
Living at home provides a sense of personal space and identity
Support can be informal and as-needed or formal and scheduled
No need to make new friends — you can continue socializing with neighbors
May be more affordable than other options
Limits your exposure to infectious diseases common in healthcare facilities
Pets can stay with you
Cons
Some homes become challenging to navigate as health and mobility wanes
Improving a home's safety and accessibility can be costly
It can be difficult to pay for housing and formal caregiving at the same time
Some people feel isolated in their communities and don't have a strong, proactive support network
Limited transportation options may increase isolation and foster depression
Friends and family members who take on the role of a caregiver face burnout as care needs increase
People may not be around to help with medical emergencies like falls
How to make aging in place safer and easier
Aging in place can present some challenges, but they can often be addressed in thoughtful ways.
Consider hiring an in-home caregiver. There are two main types: personal caregivers and nursing caregivers. We'll take a closer look at both in a moment.
Develop an informal care network consisting of family members, friends, and neighbors. This team can make social calls to combat loneliness, help with errands, chores, or transportation, and check-in regularly to make sure a fall or other emergency hasn't occurred.
Buy a medical alert. The risk of falling increases with age. Among people 65 years and older, 78% need help getting up after a fall. Staying on the floor for too long significantly increases the risk of dehydration, sores, and other complications. A medical alert system makes it easy to signal for help.
Make the home safer. Hand rails and grab bars are must-haves for preventing falls. And that's just the beginning.
Explore financial aid options. Look for state, federal, and non-profit funding that makes it more affordable to age in place, like home modification grants. Your health or long-term care insurance may also cover some services.
When aging in place may not be the best option
Aging in place isn't right for everyone. You might consider a different living arrangement in the following circumstances.
🚫 Your home needs considerable upgrades to make it safe or accessible
For example, some homes don't have a bathroom on every floor. Quickly navigating stairs to get to the bathroom increases the risk of falls, and heart or lung conditions can slow you down further. This may lead to accidents, hygiene issues, and complications from limiting water intake, such as dehydration, urinary tract infections, or kidney stones.
Adding a brand-new bathroom or a stair lift costs a lot of money and may not be practical. Beside commodes may work, but someone still needs to bring the waste to the toilet.
Consider whether it makes more sense to move into a single-story home or apartment. It doesn't necessarily have to be part of a senior community or assisted living facility. Leaving the home you've lived in for years can feel like saying goodbye to so many memories, but a different layout could make you more comfortable and safe.
🚫 You have a chronic health condition and need round-the-clock care
In-home nurses can only do so much. They're limited by the equipment that's available, and they often don't help with non-medical things around the house. If you have a chronic health condition that requires a lot of therapy, a controlled environment, or quick access to emergency facilities, a nursing home might be a safer and more practical option.
Of course, there are pros and cons associated with nursing homes too. We'll take a closer look in a moment.
🚫 You don't like where you live
This is a big one. If you don't feel safe in your community, you don't feel connected to your neighbors, or you struggle to get around town, you may enjoy a better quality of life elsewhere. You don't even have to move somewhere "for seniors" to see a difference.
Alternatives to aging in place on your own
Some people think they have to go straight to a nursing home once they start having trouble taking care of themselves. In reality, such drastic changes are rarely necessary. It's possible to retain much of your independence while getting just the right amount of help. You may even be able to stay in your home longer than you think.
In this section, we'll explore the different care options available to older adults.
1. Moving in with family or friends
Moving in with family members or friends combats loneliness, lowers monthly costs, and may ease caregiver stress by eliminating or reducing check-in trips. However, it can also introduce new kinds of stress. Sharing space with others isn't always easy.
You don't necessarily have to be the one who packs up and moves. If your home is large enough and relatively safe and accessible, consider asking a family member or friend to move in with you.
Make sure it's someone you trust and that you talk about responsibilities, including costs. If they'll need to take on caregiver duties, make sure that's discussed in detail and that they fully agree.
Pros
Addresses loneliness
Reduces monthly costs
May make transportation easier
Can ease caregiver stress
Pets may be able to stay with you
Cons
The home may still require modification
Personal space may feel limited
You may need to adjust your lifestyle, routine, or schedule
A professional in-home caregiver may still be required
2. Adult day services
Adult day services — also called adult day health care — get you out of the house for supervised activities and socialization. Routine medical care, meals, and transportation are usually provided during the day as well.
This approach works well if your home is relatively safe and you don't need significant medical care. It can boost your mood, help you make friends, and keep you physically active.
However, you'll still need to think about whether you can cook for yourself in the evenings, do your own laundry, or get your groceries. If these "activities of daily living" prove challenging, you may need another helping hand.
Pros
Addresses loneliness
Provides some transportation
You get to live at home and keep your pets
No need to significantly modify your lifestyle, routine, or schedule
Provides a break for caregivers
Cons
The home may still need modification
You may still need in-home support
Can be pricy
A 2025 CareScout survey says the median cost of adult day health care is $95 per day nationwide.
3. In-home personal caregiver
Personal care covers anything non-medical. Think of the things you might ask a family member or friend to do during their visit:
Cooking or prepping meals
Transferring from the bed to a wheelchair or vice versa
Assisting with dressing, grooming, bathing, and using the toilet
Doing laundry, washing dishes, and tending to other basic household chores
Shopping for groceries and running other errands
Driving you to appointments
Providing companionship and helping you stay socially active
Keeping an eye on you if you're at risk of wandering or falling
Reminding you to take medication
Personal caregivers typically don’t perform any medical treatments or administer medication—at least not without extra training or licensure. They usually only help with “activities of daily living.”
Pros
Addresses loneliness
You get to live at home and keep your pets
No need to change your lifestyle, routine, or schedule
Eases caregiving stress for family members
May provide some transportation
Relatively affordable
Cons
The home may still need modification
Personal caregivers can't provide medical care
A personal caregiver is also called a personal care aide (PCA). Here are some other synonyms for a personal care aide or personal caregiving:
Personal Attendant
Non-medical care
Assistive care
Companion care
Not quite. Home health aides receive extra training for a few health services, like checking vital signs, administering medications, or changing bandages. Each state governs what a home health aide is allowed to do and how much training they’re required to have.
Otherwise, home health aides perform the same duties as personal care aides.
They can be. It all depends on what your loved one needs. If they need help getting out of bed to go to the bathroom each night or need nightly medications brought to them, a live-in caregiver makes sense.
However, it’s possible to get nighttime care without providing a bedroom for the caregiver. You can hire multiple caregivers to work in shifts, allowing your loved one to get 24/7 care.
You’ll need to hire a second caregiver even if you go the live-in route since live-in caregivers require breaks and days off.
Not necessarily. According to our health advisor Sally Russell, “respite caregivers allow the usual caregivers to have some of their own normal life, while personal caregivers often do things the family cannot do.”
So respite caregivers are like substitute caregivers, and personal caregivers are long-term hires.
One of the easiest ways to hire a personal caregiver is through a staffing agency. These groups do background checks on caregivers, take care of all the paperwork, billing, and taxes, and help with backup options if the caregiver is unavailable.
You can also hire someone directly, like a friend or family member, but taxes and employee benefits can get complicated.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for personal care aides and home health aides was $16.78 per hour in 2024. However, the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care survey says the national median cost of these services is $35 per hour.
The difference may boil down to the fact that many aides gain employment through an agency. While each aide may receive an hourly wage of about $16.78, agencies charge more than that for their screening and booking services.
Your out-of-pocket cost also depends on whether insurance covers your care.
4. In-home nurse
Skilled care—like tending to catheters, feeding tubes, and tracheostomies—can be provided by in-home nurses.
Home health care can fall into two categories: hourly care or intermittent care.
Hourly care: Several nurses rotate shifts with hourly home health care to provide 24/7 care and monitoring. These skilled in-home caregivers are the best option when your loved one needs palliative care or is recovering from a serious injury or illness.
Intermittent home health care: Nurses come for scheduled appointments. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more complicated wound care are often delivered this way.
Nurses may also agree to perform personal care duties. But it may be more cost-effective to hire a personal caregiver separately, as nurses come with a higher price tag.
Pros
You get to live at home and keep your pets
No need to change your lifestyle, routine, or schedule
Eases caregiving stress for family members
Insurance and tax deductions may help lower costs
Cons
The home may still need modification
Some in-home nurses don't provide personal care
Short visits may not satisfy need for socialization and connection
Doesn't address transportation issues
Here are some synonyms for home health care:
Private duty nursing
Shift nursing
Home-based skilled nursing
Long-term nursing care
Visiting nurse services
We explored a few caregiver agency websites to pin down an answer. Most want you to call for a quote since the price of care depends on your medical needs and where you live.
That said, the caregiving agency Nurse Next Door gives a ballpark estimate of $50 to $130 per hour for in-home health care. The 2025 CareScout survey indicates the median cost of a private duty nurse is $90 per hour.
Yes and no.
Medicare Part A and Part B don’t cover personal in-home care or round-the-clock in-home health care. But these plans do cover intermittent home health care (such as therapy appointments that take place in the home) and part-time hourly nursing.
To be eligible for in-home Medicare coverage, a doctor has to create your loved one’s in-home care plan and certify that they’re homebound — meaning they’re unable to receive this care anywhere else.
Of course, Medicare (and health insurance in general) is full of exceptions, eligibility clauses, and red tape. Visit Medicare.gov for more information, or call a Medicare representative to understand your coverage and out-of-pocket expenses.
It’s possible to get paid to be your parent’s caregiver. One option is to get reimbursed by your parent’s long-term care insurance. You can also look into your state’s adult foster care compensation program.
For long-term home care to be tax deductible, care needs to be performed by a home healthcare worker, and three requirements generally need to be met:
The individual receiving the care must be chronically ill.
The care must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional.
The care must be of a type approved by the IRS to be tax deductible.
Chronically ill in this context means that the person is unable to perform at least two activities of daily living without assistance for at least ninety days. Activities of daily living are the basic daily tasks every person needs to be able to perform to live: eating, using the restroom, moving from one location to another, bathing, and dressing.
A person can also qualify as chronically ill if they suffer from significant cognitive impairment and require significant supervision or protection as a result.
For expenses related to home health care to receive a tax deduction, they must fall under one of these umbrellas:
Diagnostic
Preventive
Therapeutic
Curing
Treating
Mitigating
Rehabilitative services
Maintenance and personal care services
If your or your family member’s care aligns with one of those categories and your situation meets the three qualifications above, it could qualify as a home care tax deduction.
As always, when you’re dealing with taxes and the IRS, we recommend consulting a professional unless you’re 100% sure you know what you’re doing.
5. Senior living community
Sometimes called retirement apartments, retirement villages, or independent living communities, senior communities are the neighborhoods or apartment complexes marked “55+.” They're geared toward people who are mostly or completely independent, but who might also want the company of people their age. They may include facilities and activities designed to help counteract the social isolation we can face as we get older.
Senior living communities usually include collections of apartments, townhomes, duplexes, or condos designed for people over a certain age. These senior living campuses typically include spas, gyms, restaurants, and more within easy walking distance. Many also include optional housekeeping and meal services, which helps ease the burden of some daily living activities.
This scenario is ideal if you're active but interested in personal care services. Medical care usually isn’t included as a senior living community perk. People who need round-the-clock care may do better in an assisted living facility or nursing home.
Pros
Moving into another home environment helps you maintain a sense of personal space and identity
No need to change your lifestyle, routine, or schedule
Structured opportunities for socialization, activity, and transportation
No need to worry about major home modifications
Cost may be similar to current mortgage or rent
Cons
May not provide all the personal care services you need
May still need to hire an in-home nurse
Pet policies vary
Senior living communities start at about $1,500 per month. They can cost much more based on location and the amenities available.
A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) consists of a senior living community, assisted living facility, and nursing home operated by the same company on the same campus. You can move to a different area as your needs change.
6. Assisted living facility
Assisted living facilities are a step between senior living communities and nursing homes. Instead of full-on condos, each resident usually has a smaller apartment or private room, plus shared common areas to encourage socialization. The facility also provides personal care and some health care.
Assisted living facilities are for people who can't safely live on their own and need some help with activities of daily living, like doing laundry, getting dressed, or getting in and out of the tub. While the staff at an assisted living facility is always on hand to help in an emergency, residents usually need to go elsewhere to for medical treatment.
These facilities offer an alternative to in-home caregivers and give seniors more socialization options than they might otherwise enjoy when aging in place. Assisted living facilities often coordinate fun activities for their residents, which may include off-site day trips. But when they need time to themselves, everyone enjoys their own studio or apartment.
Pros
Private room helps you maintain a sense of personal space and identity
Personal care provided
Structured opportunities for socialization, activity, and transportation
Eases or prevents caregiver burnout among friends and family
No need to worry about major home modifications
Cons
May not provide all the medical care you need
Pet policies vary
You may not have room for all of your belongings
One of the more expensive options
According to the 2025 CareScout long-term care cost survey, the median cost of an assisted living facility in the US is $204 per day, or about $6,200 per month. This is usually not covered by Medicaid, but some states do have assisted living waivers available for Medicaid recipients. Talk to a Medicaid advisor in your state to learn about the available options.
7. Nursing home
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) are for people who need daily care delivered by a nurse or other licensed medical professional, like a physical therapist. Such care might include medication administration, rehab therapy, and wound care. Staff also provide help with activities of daily living, like using the toilet or getting dressed.
Nursing home residents can move back home or to an assisted living facility once they no longer need consistent medical treatment. That said, some nursing homes, especially those specializing in palliative or hospice care, do care for their residents indefinitely.
Medical treatment is the number-one priority in a nursing home, but many do have recreational therapists on staff to help stave off boredom. Residents may have a private room and bathroom, but it's also common to have a roommate in a nursing home.
Pros
24/7 medical care and personal care
Fast response to emergencies
Eases or prevents caregiver burnout among friends and family
Can be a temporary or long-term arrangement
Con
Most expensive option, but may be covered by Medicaid
May have to share a room with another person
Higher risk of infectious diseases
Little control over schedule
Pets typically can't come with you
According to 2025 data from CareScout, the median cost of a shared room in a nursing home is $315 per day, or about $9,581 per month. For a private room, the median cost is $355 per day or $10,798 per month. Medicaid often foots the bill.
Compare aging in place options and alternatives
Please scroll right to see full table.
Cost
Personal space
Home modifications
Personal care
Medical care
Addresses loneliness
Pets
Infectious disease risk
Emergency response
Aging in place (no formal care)
💲 – 💲💲💲
✅ Plenty
✅ Often necessary
➕➖ Depends on social network
⛔ Travel required
⛔ No, requires strong social network
✅ Can stay
➕➖ Normal risk
➕➖ Check-ins vary
Moving in with family or friends
💲
➕➖ Depends
✅ Often necessary
✅ Informal
⛔ Travel required
✅ Yes
➕️➖️ Depends
➕️➖️ Normal risk
✅ Better
Adult day services
💲💲– 💲💲💲
✅ Plenty
✅ Often necessary
⛔ No
✅ Transports to care
✅ Yes
✅ Can stay
➕➖ Normal risk
➕➖ Check-ins vary
In-home personal care
💲– 💲💲
✅ Plenty
✅ Often necessary
✅ Yes
⛔ No
✅ Yes
✅ Can stay
➕➖ Normal risk
✅ Better
In-home nurse
💲💲💲 – 💲💲💲💲💲
✅ Plenty
✅ Often necessary
➕➖ Sometimes
✅ Yes
➕➖ Depends on schedule
✅ Can stay
➕➖ Normal risk
➕➖ Check-ins vary
Senior living community
💲💲💲 – 💲💲💲💲
✅ Plenty
⛔ Minimal
⛔ Minimal
⛔ No
✅ Yes
➕➖ Depends
➕➖ Normal risk
➕➖ Check-ins vary
Assisted living facility
💲💲💲💲
➕➖ Typically smaller
⛔ None
✅ Yes
➕➖ Some
✅ Yes
➕➖ Depends
➕➖ Normal risk
✅ Better
Nursing home
💲💲💲💲💲 (Often subsidized)
⛔ Small private or shared rooms
⛔ None
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
⛔ Rarely allowed
⛔ Elevated risk
✅ Best
How to decide if aging in place is right for you
Many of us know in our gut that we want to age at home. Recently, the PEW Research Center asked older adults currently aging in place without a caregiver what they'd like do if that could no longer live that way. The majority (60%) said they'd prefer to hire an in-home caregiver than move out.
Here are the main factors to consider when deciding if that's the best choice for you.
Your home's accessibility and your repair budget. Home modifications can really add up. It may be more practical to put that money toward a condo in a senior living community or a downsized home closer to family.
Your social network. Do neighbors often drop in for a chat? Do friends or family call you daily? Think about who you'd ask to pick up some milk and bread for you in a pinch. If no one comes to mind, you may benefit from a stronger support network to combat loneliness. You don't necessarily have to move to make friends, but sometimes it helps. So do structured activity programs.
The type of care you need and your budget. Personal caregivers tend to have the most affordable hourly rates, but they may need to be with you round the clock. Compare that cost (and other pros and cons) to an assisted living facility.
Pets. They're part of the family. Would you be able to keep them if you moved? Some facilities have weight and breed restrictions.
Emergency risks. Some medical conditions increase the risk of emergencies. It may be best to live around people who can call 911 if needed. Or better yet, to live in a facility with medical professionals nearby at all times.
Use the table above to compare the pros and cons of each option.
Final word: Aging in place is common, but you've got options
Your life is your story. How you spend your later years is up to you, but it doesn't hurt to explore all of your living options. You could move in with family, downsize, stay exactly where you are, or try community living. There's no wrong answer, just a different adventure.
If you're on the fence, talk to the people you love. Make sure they're aware of any challenges you currently face. Maybe there are solutions you haven't thought of yet. Consider asking your healthcare provider for an opinion too.
With over 12 years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic.
Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.
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