Years ago I toured a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in the Queens neighborhood in New York City. A NORC is a community, which begins to comprise a considerable number of older, retired adults over time. Basically, NORCs occur when a community gets older and the residents never leave. The community that I toured was mainly Jewish families who moved into modest houses in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Community groups, the NYC Department of Aging and local churches/synagogues banded together to assist the older residents to grow old in their own homes, a process known as aging in place. Successful aging in place requires changes to the home and services of the community. Wheelchair access, ramps, railings, and accessible shelves. Sometimes meals on wheels are required when a senior can no longer cook. The NORCs in New York are literally a community effort.
Most seniors want to remain in their own home as they age. The Wall Street Journal reported on steps that can reduce injuries and help seniors remain in their homes. Remodeling and adaptive technologies to make it easier to age in your own home can cost thousands of dollars depending on what needs to be done. WSJ has a handy remodeling estimator tool. The cost to adapt your home for aging in place ranges from $10,000 for a low budget; to $35,000 for a mid-tier budget to $50,000 for a high-tier budget. More from WSJ:
From grab bars to stair lifts, there are tons of ways to spend money preparing to age in place.
More than half of U.S. homes don’t have basic features for aging in place, such as a step-free entryway and full bathroom on the first floor, according to a 2023 U.S. Census Bureau report. Owners end up rushing to install zero-threshold showers, adjustable-height cabinets and additional lighting only after mobility challenges require them.
“Costs spike during crisis remodeling,” said Carol Chiang, an occupational therapist who owns Evolving Homes, which consults on home modifications.
Many senior adults will need help living independently as they age. However, there are some small changes that can be made on a low budget. The cheapest option costs nothing to speak of. Declutter, trash, or donate unused items and unnecessary items or move them to the attic for storage. Installing an additional staircase railing may be as cheap as $100. Motion activated lighting is only about $40 per switch. I bought smart switches for Christmas lights that I can control from a smartphone. They were about $5 apiece. I put mine on a timer so all my Christmas decorations would light up around 9:00am and shut off at midnight. Smart switches can control lights with verbal commands. Good overhead lighting also helps. WSJ also recommends door swing clear hinges. All told, WSJ highlighted changes that can be made for under $1,500 including some modifications that can assist seniors recover after a hospital stay.
Institutional care, such as assisted living or retirement communities, are far more costly than many families can afford. Thus, it makes sense to help seniors age in pace whenever possible. A family member lived at home with her daughter for nearly a decade after becoming a widow. Her cost of living was low. The home was mortgage free. Utilities and property taxes were modest, and a neighbor mowed her lawn for a reasonable fee. The matriarch was not disabled but had never lived alone in her entire life. As the years wore on, adaptations had to be made to the house to prevent injuries. The most expensive was tearing out the bathtub/shower to make it more accessible for a senior adult. The day came when she could no longer live at home even with the aid of her daughter. She had to move into assisted living until her death two years later. The cost of assisted living was more around $11,000 a month. A two-year stay about equaled what her house sold for after she moved out. Every month that a senior lives at home rather than moving into assisted living is a huge cost savings.
Read more at WSJ:
How to Set Up Your Home to Age in Place for $1,500
How Much Does It Cost to Age in Place? Our Remodeling Tool Can Help You Plan