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The search for the right living arrangements for older adults can be challenging, particularly as our needs regarding assistance and care evolve with age.  

Fortunately, a variety of choices exist, ranging from simple adjustments in a current home to retirement communities and assisted living or nursing facilities. 

Here are some effective strategies for gracefully navigating the often stressful — and sometimes emotional — task of locating appropriate housing options. 

Aging in place 

Many people prefer to remain in their homes as they age. This often requires renovations to make their home easier to navigate, as mobility decreases and things like stairs get harder to manage.  

The costs of these modifications can vary wildly, from a few hundred dollars for grab bars in a bathroom to thousands for bigger projects or additions.  

Plus, if these fixes are not aesthetically pleasing or look hospital-like, they could decrease a home’s value.  

To avoid taking on these projects, you can investigate other real estate options, like purchasing a home that’s already been renovated. 

To summarize, aging in place has: 

Pros:
• No need to move
• Might be cheaper than other options 

Cons:
• Requires renovations
• No community, help or care on-site 

House sharing 

Imagine aging in place, but with a roommate (and sometimes, even a roommate who pays rent).  

With this option, people can live independently while having someone to talk to and assist them with daily living. Plus, people living together can slash their expenses significantly.  

Online resources like HomeShareOnline.org can help you find a good house-sharing match.  

Pros:
• Companionship
• Cost-effective 

Cons:
• Might need to spend money on renovations
• Risk of problematic tenant-roommates 

Moving in with kids

Financially, this option could be ideal: Moving in with adult children means older adults and their families avoid the cost of assisted living. As with aging in place, though, home modifications might be necessary.  

Homeowners planning to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or separate housing unit on their lot for their parent to live in, should check local laws first. ADUs, often called mother-in-law suites, are not legal everywhere.  

[Ed. Note: Fortunately, they are legal in all of Virginia, most neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., and in Montgomery County, Md. Prince George’s County, Md., is currently considering changing its regulations to permit them.] 

Pros:
• Cost-effective
• No need for assisted living facilities 

Cons:
• Home renovations might be necessary
• Adult children must oversee care 

Independent living communities 

As the name indicates, these developments allow their residents to live independently — they do not provide medical care or help with daily living.  

However, they do offer plenty of amenities, often including pools, gyms, activities, transportation, and sometimes daily meals and laundry service.  

As you might imagine, buying or even renting in one of these resort-like communities is not cheap. If you can afford it, this is an ideal option for couples and singles who are still in good physical health and want a low-maintenance lifestyle and neighbors similar in age. 

Pros:
• Community and activities
• Lots of amenities 

Cons:
• No medical care or support
• May be expensive 

Assisted living 

Assisted living facilities can be similar to independent living, but with an additional layer of medical care and offering assistance with daily necessities. 

These facilities are ideal for those who require help with things like bathing and taking medications, but not the 24/7 skilled medical care that nursing homes provide. The care plans and levels differ by facility. 

What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home? Generally speaking, nursing homes provide more extensive medical care than assisted living facilities.  

Assisted living is ideal for people who are able to take care of themselves for the most part, but might need some help when it comes to things like dressing, preparing meals, etc.  

Nursing homes, on the other hand, are more for people who need round-the-clock care or highly skilled medical treatment. Both can be expensive, but nursing homes are more so due to the heightened level of care. 

Pros:
• Help with daily needs and medical care
• Community and activities 

Cons:
• Costs can be steep
• Might feel more like a nursing home 

Subsidized housing 

Public housing may be available for low-income older adults — but receiving it often requires navigating a lengthy process and plenty of paperwork.  

The financial requirements differ by area, so those interested should check with their local Public Housing Agency or ask a housing counselor from HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for guidance.  

HUD also offers a Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, which helps place older adults in affordable housing that meets their physical needs.  

Alternatively, people can rent traditional apartments, offsetting their costs with HUD’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program or Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program. 

How do you apply for such low-income housing? Contact your local Public Housing Agency or HUD to find out about what housing programs you may be eligible for.  

Pros:
• Most economical
• Sometimes includes care and community 

Cons:
• Applying can be time-consuming
• Receiving housing can take a while 

Life plan communities 

These communities, formerly called continuing-care retirement communities or CCRCs, offer ascending levels of care, which people can transition through as they age.  

A single campus might encompass independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing or memory care. Residents either pay monthly rent or an initial payment followed by monthly maintenance or service fees.  

This is not a practical option for those living on Social Security, as costs tend to be high: According to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, the average monthly rental fee in the first quarter of 2023 ranged from $3,450 to $7,303. 

Pros:
• Can age in place within one campus
• Tiered care levels 

Cons:
• High costs
• May need to move from one building to another 

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