{"id":77427,"date":"2025-10-13T07:34:55","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=77427"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:25:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:25:56","slug":"advice-for-aging-in-place-safely-stay-in-your-home-as-long-as-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/advice-for-aging-in-place-safely-stay-in-your-home-as-long-as-possible\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice for aging in place: how to safely stay in your home as long as possible"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many older adults hope to “age in place” or stay in their homes as they grow older. To successfully age in place, it helps to make plans in advance. Photo: Getty images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than half of older adults want to \u201cage in place,\u201d staying in their homes and living independently as long as possible.<\/p>\n

If you or a loved one falls into this category, it\u2019s wise to plan ahead.<\/p>\n

So what do experts advise about safely aging in place? We shared frequently asked questions with Jodi Waterhouse<\/a>, director of outreach at the Multidisciplinary Center on Aging<\/a> at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a>, and Emily Johnson, licensed clinical social worker at the UCHealth Lone Tree Primary Care<\/a> and Lone Tree Seniors Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What does \u2018aging in place\u2019 mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To \u201cage in place\u201d means staying in your home as you get older and making plans to live as independently as long as possible in your later years.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany older adults will successfully age in place depending on health, design of living environment and support services and systems to aid aging in place,\u201d Waterhouse said,<\/p>\n

Why is aging in place a good idea?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cFor many of us, home is comfort,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThere\u2019s a history we are familiar with: It\u2019s family, friends and neighbors. It reflects our culture and our community.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we begin to lose control of other aspects of our life, staying in our home says, \u2018I can accept help, but I am still running the show,\u201d\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n

Both women agree that individual circumstances will play a big role in a person\u2019s decision about whether they want to age in place.<\/p>\n

Older people and their families need to carefully consider details to ensure that the aging person is safe, Waterhouse said.<\/p>\n

Will staying in my home help me live longer?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For some people, living at home is preferable to starting over later in life and having to adjust to a smaller living space in a residential facility with staff, prepared meals and living in close proximity to large numbers of people.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s a decision that requires looking at the big picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese will be very individual decisions, depending on health status, community and partner support, along with consideration of home-based health services that are available to the older adult,\u201d Waterhouse said.<\/p>\n

If I want to age in place, what do I need to think about and plan for in advance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have a realistic plan in hand for both the near term and the future, with the ability to pivot if something urgent or catastrophic occurs.<\/p>\n

Work with trusted family members on day-to-day living needs that include a rundown on:<\/strong><\/p>\n