Many Americans want to remain in their homes as they age. In fact, surveys show that roughly 77% of people aged 50 and older prefer to “age in place” — to stay in their current home for as long as possible. For most, this choice reflects a desire to retain autonomy and control over daily life. Yet preparing to age in place often requires significant planning and investment, and research reveals a gap between this preference and the readiness to handle the practical and financial realities it can entail.
The idea of aging in place versus the real-world challenges
Independence is a deep-rooted human desire that often continues well into later life. Staying in a familiar home can offer comfort: known surroundings, nearby friends and neighbors, and an established community. These advantages motivate many older adults to remain where they are.
However, data from national studies highlight important challenges. A University of Michigan-based analysis of the 2022 National Poll on Healthy Aging found strong sentiment in favor of staying home: 88% of respondents aged 50 to 80 said it was “important” to remain in their home as long as possible. Yet many homes and social supports are not well suited to the physical and cognitive changes that can come with aging.
Home layout and accessibility
The poll asked whether homes included features that support safe, independent living as mobility changes. Findings include:
- 88% reported having a main-floor bathroom; however, fewer homes had safety-enhancing bathroom features such as shower chairs or benches (36%), raised-height toilets (36%), grab bars (32%), or barrier-free showers (7%).
- 78% had a bedroom on the home’s main floor.
- 54% said door frames were wide enough for a wheelchair.
- 32% had lever-style door handles.
- 19% had an entrance with a ramp or no stairs.
Only 34% of respondents said their home “definitely” has the features needed to age in place, while 19% said their home does not. This gap suggests many who want to stay home may need costly modifications or may need to consider relocating to more accessible housing.
Health needs and in-home assistance
Health status strongly influences the feasibility of aging in place. Data from public health sources show chronic conditions are common: about 78% of Americans older than 55 have at least one chronic condition, a number that rises to roughly 85% for those over 65. Cognitive decline is also common, with many people experiencing some level of memory or thinking changes by age 70.
These health realities can increase the need for both physical home adaptations and in-home assistance. While many respondents reported having someone to help with tasks such as shopping (84%), household chores (80%), or managing finances (79%), fewer—only 67%—reported having someone to assist with personal care. Living alone compounds the challenge: 28% of respondents live alone, and those individuals are much less likely to have personal care support.
Social connection and support networks
Social ties also affect the success of aging in place. Overall, 77% of respondents said they had contact at least once a week with people who do not live with them, but that number drops among people with disabilities or chronic conditions: 68% versus 80% for those without such conditions. People with health limitations were also less likely to report being “very satisfied” with their social lives.
Loneliness and isolation are serious concerns. More than one in three adults aged 50 to 80 reported feelings of loneliness, lack of companionship, or isolation in the past year. Those living alone, in rural areas, or with health issues face higher risk. Notably, 40% of older adults said they don’t know where to turn in their community to increase social opportunities.
Costs
Cost is a central factor in decisions about aging in place. While staying in a familiar home may seem less expensive at first glance, needed home modifications and paid in-home care can make remaining at home costly. Census estimates suggest only about 10% of U.S. homes are “aging ready,” meaning they have step-free entries, a main-floor bedroom, and an accessible bathroom. Converting a typical home to meet accessibility standards can become expensive depending on the scope of work.
Paid in-home care is another major expense. For example, the average monthly cost for around 40 hours a week of homemaker services runs into several thousand dollars, and similar hourly home health aide services cost roughly the same range. These figures cover only a portion of weekly hours, leaving substantial care needs potentially unmet without additional paid services or unpaid caregiver support.
Reflecting these concerns, only 19% of poll respondents said they were “very confident” about their ability to pay for necessary help with chores, shopping, finances, or personal care. Another 39% were “somewhat confident,” and 43% lacked confidence in their ability to afford this support.
A refreshed understanding of aging in place
The 2022 National Poll on Healthy Aging highlights a gap between the desire to age in place and the practical feasibility of doing so safely and happily. Importantly, aging in place does not always equal living independently without support. Different paths to maintaining independence include:
- Staying in one’s current home, which may require extensive and expensive modifications and increased reliance on paid or unpaid caregivers, with a risk of social isolation if mobility declines.
- Moving to an accessible home that is already “aging ready,” which can reduce the need for structural changes but may not address the potential need for care or social opportunities.
- Selecting a retirement community—especially those offering a continuum of care—where safety features, access to care services, and structured social programs can help preserve independence and reduce some of the burdens of planning and modification.
Choosing how and where to grow older is a highly personal decision tied to values, finances, health, and social needs. For many, careful planning—looking ahead at potential health changes, assessing home accessibility, and accounting for the cost of care—is essential to make aging in place a realistic and safe option. For others, proactively moving to more supportive or accessible housing can be an empowering choice that preserves independence and quality of life.