Deciding where and how you’ll spend your later years of life is one of the most important decisions that someone can make. As you consider the future, you may ask whether you’d like to move into an assisted community or remodel your home for safety, comfort, and independence.
Aging in place allows homeowners to remain in the comfort of their own home while adapting it for safety, accessibility, and independence. With today’s advances in design, technology, and remodeling solutions, more families are choosing to age in place rather than transition to assisted living. But how do you know if it’s the right path for you? In this guide, we break down both assisted living and aging in place to help you make an informed decision with confidence.
Assessing Your Needs
The first step in determining which option is right for you is assessing your needs and current situation.
Consider Health and Mobility
One of the most important considerations is your health and mobility status. Think about the activities that you do on a daily basis such as walking up and down the stairs, bathing, and cooking and entertaining. Are you currently using mobility support devices? Are you facing any major impediments? How is your current living situation supporting or detracting from these needs?
If your mobility is already limited, some needs may exceed what a remodel can solve alone; in-home care or assisted living may be the safer option.
Social Needs and Family Proximity
While physical health may be at the forefront of your mind, emotional health and community is just as, if not more important. Moving to an assisted living facility often means distance from friends and family.
It’s also important to consider what sort of social structure and engagement assisted living may offer you. Many facilities invest in activities for their residents that can help with the feeling of displacement. However, if you already live near friends and family, it may be wise to look into modifying your home to accommodate your health needs.
Practical Considerations
One of the biggest considerations is the financial impact of remodeling your home for the future versus moving into an assisted living facility. While the cost of an aging-in-place remodel can vary based on the scope of work and your needs, moving into an assisted living facility can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000+ per year, depending on the location you select, the level of accommodation you need, and other add-ons.
For Maryland residents, assisted living can be even more costly if you decide to live closer to a metro area such as Bethesda or Washington, DC.
Evaluating Your Home for Aging in Place
Your home environment and layout play a critical role in whether aging in place is practical. Conducting a thorough evaluation helps you uncover what changes may be needed to ensure safety, comfort, and long-term independence.
Main Level Living
Placing your bedroom, bathroom, and laundry area on the main level is crucial to maintaining mobility in your home as you age. If these rooms are not on the main floor, a remodel can update room placement to create a functional, elegant living space on one level.
Entryways and Flooring
Consider how easily you can navigate between rooms in your home. Even small impediments such as narrow doorways, thresholds, and certain flooring types can make movement difficult. Additionally, evaluate whether your flooring is slip-resistant, low-maintenance, and even underfoot.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Since we spend so much time in our kitchen and bathrooms, these are important spaces to consider safety and accessibility. In the bathroom, start from the ground up by assessing whether the floor is slip-resistant, then consider whether grab bars or a curbless shower can be installed. In the kitchen, it’s important to check if counters, sinks, and appliances are at an accessible level. A well-designed aging-in-place remodel can seamlessly blend these updates with your design vision.
Lighting and Visibility
Poor lighting can contribute to frustration and fall risk. Layering ambient, task, and accent lighting ensures that spaces are well-lit while motion-sensor and under-toe lighting can further ease daily function.
Assisted Living: What to Expect
Assisted living care is a popular option that provides peace of mind for families and seniors alike. These facilities offer structured support through on-site staff, planned social opportunities, and daily conveniences. Understanding what to expect helps you make informed decisions about whether assisted living aligns with your lifestyle, health needs, and budget.
Levels of Care Offered
Assisted living communities offer several levels of care depending on each resident’s needs. Most communities offer a base package including meals, housekeeping, and basic care while allowing residents to select add-ons based on their requirements.
Common Offerings Include:
- Personal Care Assistance: Help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and mobility support
- Memory Care: Specialized programs for residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia which include enhanced safety measures and structured activities
- Medical Support: On-site nurses provide routine health monitoring and coordination with external healthcare providers
- Housekeeping and Maintenance: Daily chores, laundry, and home upkeep are handled by staff
Levels of Care Offered
Alongside dedicated support, assisted living facilities also provide a vibrant community full of activities, specialized programs, and amenities. These amenities foster independence while providing a basis of community and engagement amongst residents.
- Full-service dining with prepared meals
- Social, cultural, and recreational programs, including fitness classes, arts, and group outings
- Transportation is available for residents to access events, appointments, and shopping areas
- Well-appointed common areas like libraries, lounges, gardens, and pools
- 24/7 staff availability and monitored entrances for security
Levels of Care Offered
The cost of assisted living varies widely depending on location, level of care, and the services offered. For example, in Maryland, the average monthly cost ranges from $8,000 to $15,000 or $100,000 to $200,000 per year. Add-ons such as private suites, memory care and medical management can increase this amount.
Many families rely on long-term care insurance to offset monthly fees, while others tap into personal savings or investments to cover costs. Additionally, certain government programs may provide assistance depending on eligibility.
Aging in Place: What's Possible at Home
Aging-in-place is no longer about just installing grab bars and ramps; it’s about creating a safe, functional, and stylish home you can enjoy for decades to come. The right design-build agency can go beyond basic upgrades to transform your space into one that blends accessibility, comfort, and elegance.
Popular Remodeling Solutions
The most requested modifications often start in the bathroom, where safety and accessibility matter most. Curbless showers, built-in benches, and handheld showerheads make bathing safer and easier, while wider doorways, improved task lighting, and decorative grab bars (a far cry from the industrial versions of the past) add both function and beauty. Beyond bathrooms, kitchens can be redesigned with features like pull-out shelving, accessible storage, and lowered counters for easier use.
Main-Level Living for Long-Term Comfort
One of the most impactful upgrades for aging in place is reimagining the main level of your home. By creating a primary suite, full bathroom, and accessible living spaces all on the first floor, homeowners can reduce their reliance on stairs.
A main-level layout is the perfect opportunity to blend elegance and flow with practical updates such as wider hallways and floor plans. The result is a home that’s perfectly suited for entertaining, relaxing, and living well at every stage of life.
Smart Technologies Enable Independence
Technology is playing a bigger role in aging in place than ever before. Video doorbells, smart locks, and security cameras allow homeowners and families to monitor activity and increase peace of mind. Automated lighting reduces fall risks, while voice-activated controls make everything from temperature to entertainment more accessible.
Thoughtful Planning for the Future
Even if mobility is not a concern today, planning ahead can ease future stress and costs. Remodeling your home for aging in place earlier can reduce overall costs, provide greater design flexibility, reduce disruption to routine, enhance safety, and improve your current lifestyle and enjoyment of the space. For many homeowners, health needs can shift rapidly, so it’s wise to update your home to accommodate these possibilities. Additionally, aging-in-place upgrades can increase the resale value of your home.
Overall, a well-designed aging-in-place remodel can enhance the beauty and functionality of your home, making it the ideal spot to live for years to come.
Assisted Living v. Aging in Place: What's Right for Me
|
Factor |
Aging-in-Place |
Assisted Living |
|
Cost |
Remodeling costs can vary from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on scope Ongoing costs: utilities, maintenance, and possible in-home care |
Costs average $8,000 to $20,000+ a month or $100,000 to $250,000+ per year, depending on care needs, amenities, and add-ons |
|
Lifestyle/Independence |
Maintain full control of your home, routines, and design |
Structured environment with daily routines and community activities. Less control over personal space. |
|
Safety/Health Support |
Aging-in-place updates can optimize safety but additional health supports such as in-home care services may be needed |
On-site staff available 24/7 to assist with daily function and any medical needs. Immediate access to help ensures safety. |
|
Flexibility/Customization |
Full customization over spaces, finishes, and other design elements Easy to opt for future remodeling projects and updates |
Limited customization as rooms and layouts are standardized. Private suites and upgrades might be available at an extra cost. |
|
Future-Proofing |
Easy to anticipate future needs with ongoing optimizations or one-time remodel |
Community manages changes in care needs by allowing residents to transition between spaces |
|
Social/Community |
Social interaction depends on proximity and access to neighbors, family, or community programs |
Social opportunities are built into daily life with dedicated meals, activities, wellness programs, and outings |
|
Investment/Home Value |
Aging-in-place remodels can increase long term home value by making spaces functional and flexible for future home buyers |
No additional home equity created; capital is invested in care and services |
Planning Ahead for Changes
Planning ahead for either an aging-in-place remodel or move into an assisted living facility requires careful planning and an awareness of timelines.
Aging-in-Place Remodel Timeline
A design-build aging in place remodel consists of multiple steps including an initial consultation, design, and construction. The initial consultation typically takes only a few days and consists of understanding your needs and preferences. After this, the design phase begins and spans roughly five to fifteen weeks. This involves defining layouts, creating schematic drawings, and pinpointing design options you’ll love. After designs are finalized, there is typically a two month lead time to order and acquire all necessary materials, fixtures, and appliances. Finally, construction begins and usually spans two weeks to two months, depending on project complexity.
Assisted Living Transition Timeline
When transitioning to assisted living, planning ahead can make the process smoother and less stressful. The first step is to research and tour potential communities, which typically takes two to four weeks. Once you've identified the right fit, the application and residency approval process can take an additional two to six weeks, depending on the community and required documentation. After approval, move-in preparation and personalizing the space usually takes one to two weeks.
Start Planning for Your Future Today
Choosing between aging in place and assisted living is a big decision, but early planning makes it easier. Understanding your home’s potential, evaluating accessibility needs, and weighing lifestyle and costs empowers you to make the right choice for today and tomorrow.
Partnering with the experienced design-build remodeling team at House to Home Solutions ensures your home is safe, functional, and future-ready!
