Why Aging in Place is Important NOW

The #1 response I get when talking to clients about improving their home’s accessibility is “I don’t need that yet but I will let you know if I do.”

And I get it. You’re young. You’re healthy. It’s not in the budget.

But here’s the thing: As our needs change, our environment needs to change as well. The tides of life are ever-flowing and we must adapt to what is thrown our way. We are all one (mis)step away from needing improved accessibility. By making smart choices on the front end of your build/remodel, you can choose to age in place, increasing your autonomy, saving money, and remaining in a place that is comfortable and suited to your individual needs.

What is aging in place?

The World Health Organization Centre for Health Development defines aging in place as “Meeting the desire and ability of people, through the provision of appropriate services and assistance, to remain living relatively independently in the community in his or her current home or an appropriate level of housing. Aging in place is designed to prevent or delay more traumatic moves to a dependent facility, such as a nursing home.’” Increasing a home’s accessibility doesn’t necessarily mean adding a ramp or covering your walls in grab bars. There are tons of ways to improve your home’s accessibility and typically they do not add much to your budget and may actually increase your home’s resale value. Many of these changes can be seamlessly integrated into your existing decor to maintain a visually pleasing and functional living environment.

While there may be initial expenses associated with increasing your home’s accessibility and potentially adding in systems to increase your/your family member’s independence, these costs can be significantly lower than the monthly fees associated with residential care facilities. The National Council on Aging released a statement in October 2023 stating that the average yearly cost of Assisted Living Facility (ALF) care is $54,000! And that number does not necessarily include actual personal care services, merely room and board. That same article states that Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care can cost up to $108,000/year!! By staying in your own home, you can retain the value of your property and reduce your overall living expenses.

While this infographic is from 2015, it provides a good overview of the differences between ALF and SNF.

via veteranaid.org

So let’s say you live in a 2-level home with all of the bedrooms and full bathrooms upstairs but you are unable to climb stairs. You can spend $25,000 and install an elevator or any of the many other systems that can take you up the stairs (e.g. stair lift) for a fraction of the cost. Or you could convert a room on the main floor to a bedroom with accessible shower. That could also cost $25,000. Both the elevator and the bedroom conversion can increase your home’s resale value. Those modifications alone could allow you to care for yourself and stay in your own home or be cared for by a family member.

via 101mobility.com

Now let’s say you live in a 1-level, wheelchair accessible home with no steps to enter but require assistance with your activities of daily living (ADL) for 20 hours/week. A Place for Mom states that the average cost of a home care aide is $36/hr. At that rate you are able to live in your own home for approximately $37,440/year rather than $54,000/year as estimated by the National Council on Aging.

Both of these scenarios result in a financial savings, more autonomy than living in an ALF or SNF, and an environment which is tailored to your needs.

why hire a certified aging in place specialist? (caps)

A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) is well-versed in home modifications and some, including me, have additional healthcare/medical training that allows them to better predict what needs you may have as you age, as your disease or injury progresses, as well as which pieces of equipment may be best suited to your needs and adapt as necessary. This allows you to adapt your living spaces to meet your unique needs and preferences. Whether you need a ground-floor bedroom, a more accessible kitchen, or an advanced piece of medical equipment, your home can be designed to suit your lifestyle and your needs.

From an interior design perspective, this customization means you can choose furniture and fixtures that provide both comfort and functionality. For example, ergonomic seating and adjustable beds can make a significant difference in your daily comfort and mobility creating a home that is both beautiful and accommodating.

aging in place in the real world

Let me give you a few examples of aging in place scenarios I have had in the past.

Case Study 1: I worked with a family of fitness fanatics; young and healthy with no limitations whatsoever. During their remodel, we discussed converting their current walk-in shower with a 4” curb into a zero-entry shower (they were planning on renovating their shower anyway). They were hesitant and didn’t really see the point. Before construction began, their elderly mother fell and broke her hip. She suddenly needed round-the-clock care to complete all of her activities of daily living, especially bathing and toileting. After 48 hours of caring for her and trying to complete bed baths, I received an email saying they would like to rework the plans in order to accommodate for a zero-entry shower.

Case Study 2: When I worked in inpatient rehabilitation, I had a young patient who worked as a roofer. After an unfortunate accident in which he fell off a roof approximately 20’ high, he found himself paralyzed from the shoulders down. He would require extensive medical care for the rest of his life and moving into a facility that could adequately care for him was financially impossible. Instead, his mother decided to move from out of state to live with his family and help his wife care for him and their young children. The house was already crowded and having another person move in was not ideal. However, there was an attached 1 car garage that could be converted into an additional bedroom. This provided a level entry for the young man and an adequate ramp could be fashioned inside his room to access the rest of the house. Yes, there was expense involved in that conversion however the cost of ALF or SNF levels of care FAR exceeded that amount.

Case Study 3: Earlier this year, I had surgery on my dominant hand. I was unable to hold more than the weight of a fork and didn’t have enough grip to hold a cup. If I had to carry anything, it had to be with my left arm/hand, making it difficult to carry even a couple bags of groceries from the car to the house. The thing that made my life SO much easier? Lever door handles rather than knobs. I was able to push the levers down with my right elbow while carrying things with my left arm. Easy peazy. When we bought our house a few years ago, I wanted to change the door hardware and knew this would improve our home’s accessibility. So I planned for the future and put in levers rather than knobs. It was something I had already planned on doing and didn’t add to the budget but made my future self very grateful!

As you can see from these examples, there are multiple ways of improving the accessibility of one’s home and at all different price points. Not everyone will require something as expensive as an overhead lift system or even as inexpensive as grab bars. Accessibility looks different to everyone and an Aging in Place Specialist can help you identify what will work for your specific needs.

Aging in place is a choice that offers a multitude of benefits, and interior design plays a crucial role in making it a reality. Your home can continue to be a place of comfort, independence, and beauty as you age. By creating a living space that caters to your changing needs and desires, you can enjoy the golden years in the embrace of familiarity and style. Aging in place is not just about growing older; it's about being comfortable and remaining true to yourself in the place you call home.