Aging in Place Grants

What Is Aging in Place? A Plain-English Guide for Older Adults and Families

Updated October 18, 2026 · By the Aging in Place Grants research desk · How we research

Aging in place means staying in your own home as you get older, with the changes and help needed to do it safely.

Most of us picture growing older in the home we already know. The neighbors, the kitchen, the chair by the window. That wish has a name: aging in place. This guide explains what it means, who it works best for, and how the costs compare with assisted living and nursing homes.

What "aging in place" means

Aging in place means staying in your own home as you get older, for as long as you can feel confident and comfortable there 1. It does not mean doing everything alone. For most people it means two things:

  • A home that fits your body as it changes. That can be as simple as brighter lights and a grab bar, or as big as a walk-in shower or a ramp.
  • Help that comes to you. That may be a ride to the doctor, meals, a home health aide, or a family member who checks in.

The goal is a home that is safe, easy to move around in, and close to the people and services you need.

How many people want this

A lot. In AARP's 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey, 75% of adults age 50 and older said they want to stay in their current homes as they age. 73% said they want to stay in their communities 2.

The same survey shows the gap between wishes and reality. About half of adults 50+ said they need a home that supports aging on their own 2. Many expect to need changes such as grab bars or a safer entry. 64% said they expect to need a medical alert system 2. And 44% of adults 50+ expect they may have to move, often because of housing costs, upkeep or taxes 2.

So the desire is strong. The planning often lags behind.

Who aging in place is for

Aging in place can work for many people, including:

  • Healthy older adults who want to plan ahead before a problem happens.
  • People with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis, COPD, diabetes or vision loss, who need a home that is easier to use.
  • People coming home after a hospital stay or a fall, who need changes fast.
  • Couples where one partner is caring for the other.
  • Adult children who live nearby, or far away, and want a parent to stay safe at home.

It tends to work best when three things are true. The home can be made safe at a cost the family can manage. The person can get the level of help they need. And the person is not cut off from other people.

Why safety comes first

Falls are the biggest everyday risk at home for older adults. In 2024, falls caused more than 43,000 deaths among adults 65 and older in the U.S. They also led to about 4.5 million emergency room visits 3. Many falls are linked to things in the home that can be fixed, like loose rugs, dark stairs and slippery tubs. See our guides on fall facts and our room-by-room safety checklist for the details.

How the costs compare

Here are the national median costs from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, released in March 2026 4. A median is the middle price. Half of providers charge more and half charge less. Prices in your area may be much higher or lower.

Type of care 2025 national median Yearly cost
In-home non-medical caregiver $35 an hour $80,080 (at 44 hours a week)
Adult day health care $95 a day $24,700 (5 days a week)
Assisted living $6,200 a month $74,400
Nursing home, shared room $315 a day $114,975
Nursing home, private room $355 a day $129,575

Source: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey 4.

What these numbers tell you

Home changes are mostly a one-time cost. A grab bar, a handrail or better lighting is paid for once. Assisted living and nursing homes are paid every month, year after year.

Paid help at home adds up fast. The $80,080 yearly figure assumes about 44 hours of help a week 4. Many people need far fewer hours, such as a few visits a week for bathing or chores. Others need much more. At full-time levels, in-home help can cost more than assisted living.

Family time is a real cost too. Unpaid help from a spouse or adult child does not show up on a bill, but it costs time, energy and sometimes income.

The honest answer is that aging in place is usually the cheaper choice when needs are light to moderate. When someone needs care around the clock, a facility may cost less and be safer.

What usually needs to change in the home

Most homes were built for younger, able-bodied adults 5. Common changes include:

  • Bathroom: grab bars, a non-slip tub or shower floor, a shower seat, a handheld shower head, a taller toilet.
  • Stairs: sturdy handrails on both sides, bright lights with switches at top and bottom, fixed loose carpet.
  • Entry: a step-free way in, a ramp or railing, good outdoor lighting.
  • Kitchen: everyday items moved to waist height, a safe step stool, easy-to-use controls.
  • Bedroom: a lamp within reach of the bed and night-lights on the path to the bathroom.
  • Whole home: clear walkways, no throw rugs, lever door handles, working smoke alarms.

Our home safety checklist walks through each room.

Help beyond the house

A safe home is only half of the plan. Think about:

  • Getting around. How will you get to the store and the doctor if you stop driving?
  • Daily tasks. Who can help with cleaning, yard work, meals or bathing if needed?
  • Health care. Can you get to appointments? Is telehealth an option?
  • Staying connected. Who will you see each week? Loneliness is a health risk too.
  • Emergencies. How will you call for help if you fall and cannot reach a phone?

Your local Area Agency on Aging can point you to meal programs, rides, in-home help and home repair programs. The fastest way to find yours is the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern 6.

How to pay for changes

There are more ways to pay than most people expect. Options include local grants and nonprofit repair programs, Medicaid waiver programs, VA grants for eligible veterans, USDA repair loans and grants in rural areas, and a tax deduction for some medical home changes. See how to pay for home modifications for the full list.

Getting started: five first steps

  1. Walk through the home with our checklist. Write down every problem you see.
  2. Fix the cheap, fast things first. Lights, rugs, clutter and night-lights cost little and help right away.
  3. Talk to a doctor about fall risk, medicines and vision.
  4. Get a professional opinion for bigger changes. An occupational therapist or a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist can help. See how to find a CAPS contractor.
  5. Call the Eldercare Locator to learn what local help and funding you may qualify for 6.

The bottom line

Aging in place is what most older adults want 2. It works best with a plan: a safer home, the right help, and a clear view of the costs. Start small, fix the biggest risks first, and get local help early, before a fall or a hospital stay forces fast decisions.

Common questions

What does aging in place mean?

It means living in your own home for as long as you feel safe, confident and comfortable there, instead of moving to a care setting. Most people need some home changes and some outside help to make it work.

Is aging in place cheaper than assisted living?

Often, but not always. The 2025 national median for assisted living was $6,200 a month. Home changes are usually a one-time cost. But if you need many hours of paid help each week, in-home care can cost as much as or more than a facility.

How many older adults want to stay in their homes?

In AARP's 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey, 75% of adults 50 and older said they want to stay in their current homes as they age.

Who should I call first for help?

Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 (weekdays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern). It connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging, which knows the home repair, home care and benefit programs in your area.

When is aging in place not a good idea?

It can be hard when a person needs help around the clock, the home cannot be made safe at a reasonable cost, or the person is isolated with no one checking in. A doctor, social worker or care manager can help you weigh the options.

Sources

  1. Built Environment and Mobility of Older Adults: Important Policy and Practice Efforts (Yen & Anderson, 2012) — CDC Stacks / Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Checked October 18, 2026.
  2. New AARP Report: Majority of Adults 50-plus Want to Age in Place, But Policies and Communities Must Catch Up (2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey) — AARP. Checked October 18, 2026.
  3. Older Adult Falls: About Falls — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Checked October 18, 2026.
  4. CareScout Releases 2025 Cost of Care Survey Results — Genworth Financial / CareScout. Checked October 18, 2026.
  5. AARP HomeFit Guide — AARP. Checked October 18, 2026.
  6. Eldercare Locator: Contact Information — U.S. Administration for Community Living / USAging. Checked October 18, 2026.