"Aging in place" is growing older without having to move.
According to Senior Resource for Aging in Place:
70% of seniors spend the rest of their life in the same home they celebrated their 65th birthday.

What is "Aging in Place"

Aging in Place, is living where you have lived for many years, or living in a non-healthcare environment, and using products, services and conveniences to allow or enable you to not have to move as your circumstances change. More recently "Aging in place" is a term used in marketing by those in the seniors housing industry. CCRCs, (Continuing Care Retirement Communities), by definition, offer the chance to age in place, but first you must move to their community to "start aging". Multi-level campuses market "Independent Living, Assisted Living and perhaps Alzheimer's care and Skilled Nursing in one location, and claim to offer the opportunity to "age in place", but again you must move there first. What’s more, you must agree to move from one wing of the campus to another to in order to receive increased services.

» For additional info, please visit: Senior Resource for Aging in Place

Remodeling Your Home For Your Future

There are a number of items to consider when remodeling your home. You may wish to consult a professional early in your evaluation process. No one is going to make all of the modifications, but be wise regarding those you focus on. i.e. if you already know your eyesight is failing, focus on modifications that benefit poor, or poorer eyesight the most. If you have arthritis that impairs mobility, focus on modifications that cater to your mobility limitations.
General

• Adapt the lower floor of home for possible one level living
• Increased incandescent general and specific task lighting
• Have easy garage or parking access
• At least one entry without steps
• Doorways 36" wide, and clear
• Levered door handles instead of knobs
• Electrical outlets at 18 inches instead of 12
• Easy to open or lock patio doors and screens
• Light switches at 42" instead of 48”
• Adjustable controls on light switches
• Luminous switches in bedrooms, baths and hallways
• Strobe light or vibrator-assisted smoke and burglar alarms
• Lower window sills especially for windows on the street
• Programmable thermostats for heating and cooling
• Contrast colors between floor and walls
• Color borders around floor and counter-top edges
• Non skid flooring
• Matte finish paint, flooring and counter-tops
• Non-glare glass on art work
• Entry door peep hole at a low height
• Incorporation of emergency response system installed, or wearable

Bathroom

• Lever faucets and faucet mixers with anti-scald valves
• Temperature controlled shower and tub fixtures
• Stall shower with a low threshold and shower seat
• Grab bars at back and sides of shower, tub and toilet or wall reinforcement for later installation
• Bathrooms with turn around and transfer space for walker or wheelchair (36" by 36")
• Higher bathroom counters
• Telephone jack
• Installation of medical response device Kitchen
• Kitchen cabinets with pull-out shelves and lazy susans
• Easy to grasp cabinet knobs or pulls
• Task lighting under counters
• Cooktop with front controls
• Side by side refrigerator
• Adjustable upper shelves and pull out lower shelves
• Variety in kitchen counter height - some as low as table height (30 inches)
• Gas sensor near gas cooking, water heater and gas furnace
• Color or pattern borders at counter edges Living Room
• Seating at least 18 inches off the floor
• Chairs with sturdy arms
  

Possible Assistance Needs

To "age in place" one should be aware of community help and services available to deal with increasing frailty or age related problems. They may also be needed in the event of illness.

Services can provide:

• Outdoor home maintenance and gardening
• Indoor home maintenance
• Heavy and/or light cleaning and housework
• Driving (Driving Miss Daisy)
• Trips to the grocery store
• Other shopping trips
• Home delivery of groceries
• Transportation to doctors appointments
• Homecare
• Meal preparation
• Bathing and dressing
• Personal care assistance
• Home nursing
• Emergency call/response systems
• In your home
• To wear on your person