In the past decade the phrase “aging in place” has become common, largely because surveys and industry articles report that a large majority of older adults prefer to remain in their homes as they grow older. Advances in technology and a housing market increasingly focused on senior-friendly design have reinforced that preference. Still, it’s worth imagining whether aging in place might, over time, become the least attractive option for many older adults. Several trends suggest that possibility is already beginning to unfold.
A notable shift in the numbers
When I founded myLifeSite nearly eight years ago, a frequently cited AARP finding from 2014 reported that nearly 90 percent of people 65 and older wanted to stay in their homes as they age. That same survey showed only 71 percent of the 50-to-64 age group felt the same. That cohort is now entering their seventies, the years when many people actively decide where they will spend retirement. AARP’s 2018 survey of adults 50 and older later found that just 76 percent wanted to remain in their homes as long as possible.
These shifting figures suggest that in the coming 10 to 20 years more retirees may choose senior living options other than their current homes. AARP’s reports don’t explain the reasons for the change, but several forces appear to be influencing preferences.
The reasons behind changing preferences
One major factor is the growing caregiver shortage. Many people will require long-term care at some point, and the number of direct care workers needed is soaring due to demographic change. Recent research indicates the shortfall could be far larger than earlier projections. Estimates that once focused on adding about 1.4 million caregivers have been updated to reflect replacement needs and turnover, pointing toward a much greater gap in the near future. Under the current care model, it may become increasingly difficult for people who choose to remain at home to find and retain consistent, high-quality paid caregivers.
Reports and news coverage have repeatedly highlighted persistent problems in the caregiving workforce: low wages, high workloads, and high turnover. When caregivers are underpaid and overworked, continuity and quality of care suffer, which undermines one of the main benefits of staying at home as you age.
Family caregivers being stretched thin
The caregiver challenge extends beyond paid professionals. Family caregivers provide most in-home care today, but demographic and social trends—smaller family sizes, higher divorce rates, and geographic mobility—mean fewer family members will be available to care for aging relatives. While many find delivering care to be a meaningful responsibility, caregiving often has negative impacts on health, careers, and finances. The savings families achieve by avoiding paid care can be offset by lost wages, diminished retirement savings, and reduced lifetime benefits. Reflecting these concerns, a majority of people over 65 report they do not want to be a burden on their families.
A shift to focus on wellness
Beyond caregiving, another reason aging in place may become less desirable is the growing emphasis on wellness in senior living communities. In my visits to hundreds of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, also called life plan communities) across the country, I’ve seen a shift from a reactive healthcare model toward preventive, wellness-focused programming. Residents value knowing a continuum of medical services is available, but the best communities prioritize social connection, activity, and preventive care to reduce or delay the need for intensive services.
Leading CCRCs are expanding access to primary care, offering on-site clinicians who know residents’ histories and can help manage chronic conditions to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. Wellness programming spans social, intellectual, spiritual, physical, vocational, and emotional dimensions—areas that matter greatly for older adults. Residents often lead and organize many of these programs, which fosters engagement, purpose, and stronger social bonds.
Viewed this way, modern retirement communities increasingly resemble residential wellness campuses where the emphasis is on living well, not simply receiving care when it becomes necessary.
The importance of interpersonal relationships
Social connection is a central component of that wellness focus. When I ask residents what they most appreciate about their communities, the answer often is the people and relationships they have formed. Regular, meaningful social interaction is strongly linked to health and longevity, and living in a community commonly provides a built-in support network that can help if health declines.
This is not to argue that aging in place cannot be healthy or fulfilling. Many people thrive at home with the right adaptations and supports. However, staying at home can also lead to increasing isolation, inactivity, more television time, and poorer nutrition—patterns that harm physical and mental health and reduce quality of life.
Weighing your senior living options
As awareness of caregiver shortages, the strain on family caregivers, and the benefits of wellness-minded communities grows, more seniors are reconsidering the default preference to age in place. While remaining at home may appear economical at first glance, the practical realities of securing reliable care, avoiding social isolation, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle can make community-based living a more appealing choice.
Not all CCRCs are the same, and prospective residents should research communities carefully to find one that matches their needs and values. The industry also faces the challenge of making these benefits accessible to people across a wider economic spectrum and continuing to innovate in community design and services. For communities that embrace wellness, resident engagement, and high-quality care, the future looks promising.