Every morning, 83-year-old Joyce Chen steps into her backyard, where rows of bok choy, bitter melons, and scallions greet her. Joyce has lived alone since her husband passed away six years ago. The garden, filled with fruit trees and vegetables grown from seeds, is her sanctuary. It serves as a living connection to her marriage and children, and it’s also a place where she spends most of her days filled with activities, tending to her yard and the excitement of cultivating with her own hands. Her garden is simple yet practical, and it gives her a sense of purpose. Aging in place, or staying at home, allows Joyce to nurture not just vegetables but also her legacy—passing down her stories, wisdom, culture, and sharing the fruits and vegetables with friends and family.

Why Aging at Home Is More Essential Than Ever in 2025

As the population ages, the idea of “aging in place” has shifted from being a preference to a necessity. By 2034, adults aged 65 and older will outnumber children, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptable, culturally sensitive aging strategies.

What are the Benefits of Aging in Place?

Home is more than just a shelter; it reflects our personality, choices, memories, routines, and life stages. For older adults, remaining in a familiar environment helps reduce stress, confusion, and depression, especially for those with cognitive impairments like dementia. Aging at home also allows them to more easily maintain control over their daily lives and keep long-standing social networks, which are essential for mental health and self-esteem.

From a financial standpoint, if care is needed, home-based care is often more affordable than living in a long-term care facility. Furthermore, staying at home with in-home supportive services allows for personalized care and maintains proximity to familiar healthcare providers.

The Growing Need for Support

Mrs. Joyce Chen remains very active and can care for herself and drive independently. The concern that she will someday need assistance weighs heavily on her children’s minds. While aging at home offers many benefits, it also presents a range of challenges that can impact the safety, health, and quality of life of older adults. For example:

• Home Safety Hazards: Trips and falls remain the leading cause of injury among older adults (CDC, 2024). Many homes are not designed with aging adults in mind; features like stairs, step-ups or downs, narrow doorways, and slippery floors can pose significant hazards.
• Chronic Health Conditions/Cognitive Decline: Chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease can affect daily activities and mobility. Cognitive decline from dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other health issues can contribute to confusion, wandering, or forgetfulness. Limited mobility, inadequate support, or a lack of transportation can significantly impact access to medical care and social isolation.

• Financial Strain: Modifying a home and securing long-term care can be costly. Lack of affordable housing or insufficient retirement savings can limit the feasibility of aging in place for some.
• Emergency Preparedness: Many older adults living alone may not be sufficiently prepared for emergencies like power outages, natural disasters, or medical crises. A fall at home or in the yard without access to help can pose serious consequences. While smart home devices or telehealth platforms can improve safety, digital literacy and internet access remain significant barriers for many older adults.

Luckily, many new technologies can now track older adults’ safety, including wearable devices, smartphones, home systems, and cameras. There are also numerous local and national resources available for older adults and caregivers, for example:

1. Eldercare Locator
   A free national service provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging. It connects older adults and caregivers with local support services, including transportation, meals, home care, and housing assistance. https://eldercare.acl.gov/home
2. National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC)
   Offers guidance on housing, health care, finances, and home modifications. https://ageinplace.org
3. Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
   Local organizations funded by the Older Americans Act. They offer a wide range of services, including caregiver support, transportation, home modifications, and legal assistance. https://aging.ca.gov/Providers_and_Partners/Area_Agencies_on_Aging/
4. National Council on Aging (NCOA)
   A non-profit organization offering programs and resources for fall prevention, nutrition, financial security and services, such as help with housing and insurance payments, retirement planning, and scam and fraud prevention, and advocacy for older Americans. Call 1-571-527-3900 or visit https://www.ncoa.org/
5.  Justice in Aging
   A legal advocacy organization that protects the rights of low-income seniors through policy work and legal support. Call 202-289-6976 or visit https://justiceinaging.org/
6.  AARP HomeFit Guide
   Provides room-by-room home modification tips for safer living environments. https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities
7. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
   Helps older adults afford heating and cooling to maintain safe indoor environments. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/energy-assistance

Aging at home is not just a personal choice; it is also a public health priority. Although there are many benefits, most older family members and our older clients often lack plans or are unaware of the essential factors needed to stay safe at home. It requires support from family, healthcare professionals, and the community, as well as proactive planning. There are many options in helping people prepare for these changes, but effective planning must begin early and be adaptable as conditions change.

Plan Beyond the Home: Empower Your Team with Continuing Education
Aging in place is meaningful — but it also comes with hidden realities. When home isn’t enough, healthcare leaders and staff must be ready to guide, protect, and care for older adults with confidence and compassion.

CareerSmart Learning offers accredited CE courses designed for nurses, case managers, social workers, and long-term care leaders, including:

Cultural Diversity & Competence in Healthcare – deliver care that respects culture and legacy.

Safety Preparedness & Emergency Response When Caring for Older Adults – plan ahead for emergencies that impact vulnerable populations.

Advance Care Planning – help patients and families navigate critical healthcare decisions.

Life Care Planning – prepare for the full continuum of care with proactive strategies.

Subscribe today and give your staff the knowledge to support older adults at home — and beyond.

References

CDC. Centers for Disease Control. Older Adults’ Falls Data. Oct. 28, 2024. NIH. https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html

National Institute on Aging. Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/aging-place-growing-older-home

US Aging, Policy Priorities 2025. https://www.usaging.org/Files/USAging_2025PolicyPriorities_final_WEB.pdf