Older people are hoping to spend their golden years in a familiar and comfortable place — their home. According to a 2024 2024 survey conducted by US News & World Report, 93% percent of United States adults ages 55 and older view aging in place in their homes as an “important goal.” Projections from the US Census Bureau indicate that the number of Americans who reach the age of 100 (and older) will quadruple over the next three decades. The aging population creates a growing need for focused aging in place services.
Three key factors influence the scope and effectiveness of emerging programs:
1. There is a greater awareness of and focus on aging in place than ever before.
There are cities today setting up community models that help provide support to older adults, making it possible for them to remain in their homes longer. In model cities and throughout the country, home renovations and modifications are increasingly sought after to improve safety and ease of use. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)’s Remodeling Market Index (RMI) survey research indicates that 98% of remodelers cited that most or some of their consumers are familiar with the aging-in-place concept. Common aging-in-place home updates include adding bathroom grab bars and curb-less showers. Additionally, there is an increase in “universal design”— constructing a living environment that can be used by anyone, regardless of age or ability.
While home modifications are important, aging in place is more than just ease of use at home and safety. Addressing mental health concerns, underdiagnosed or untreated medical conditions (such as urinary tract infections or chronic pain), use of multiple medications, cognitive concerns, mobility and sensory concerns, and social isolation are all key elements in a comprehensive aging-in-place solution.
2. It’s a myth that older adults are not tech-savvy.
As the population ages, many older adults are as tech-savvy as teenagers in their life. Older adults are gaining comfort with texting, email, apps that make life easier (such as stress relief like Calm or Mindspace or food delivery like DoorDash or Uber Eats), wearables such as Fitbit or Apple Watch, and smart-home tech like Alexa or Google Home. Integrating technology with other aging in place solutions is an effective intervention with growing promise.
The use of technology may also help alleviate some concerns associated with a paid and unpaid caregiver shortage. While the population is aging, there may not be enough people to take care of them. According to a report by PHI International, between 2021 and 2031 the direct care workforce is projected to add more than 1 million new jobs. During the same timeframe, nearly 9.3 million total direct care jobs will need to be filled. Integrating remote patient monitoring and/or vital sign tracking along with the human connection may be a viable option for some older adults.
3. An increasing number of aging-in-place experts are on hand to support optimized outcomes.
According to the National Council on Aging, the financial toll associated with falls is expected to increase as the population ages and may reach over $101 billion by 2030. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that medical costs for fatal and nonfatal falls total $50 billion annually. However, the good news is that falls are not inevitable as we get older.
Comprehensive aging-in-place solutions, supported by evidence-based guidelines, include a multidomain screening and assessment for frailty and fall risk, identifying root causes of risk factors, and effective interventions that modify those risk factors and help older adults build resilience (bouncing back). Older adults who participate in an aging-in-place program can expect to live a functionally independent life at home while building resilience for the future. Health plans may find that addressing frailty and falls through a comprehensive program will see a reduction in their total cost of care and improvement in their star ratings.
How is this accomplished? Aging-in-place services experts provide effective programs that include innovative, clinically evidenced, multi-domain, and technology-supported interventions. An effective support program includes:
- A dedicated care manager with education and experience in helping people find new ways to be safe in their home
- Ancillary team members including pharmacists, social worker, nurses, occupational therapists and others
- A coordinated team effort to impart supportive education, referrals to appropriate and vetted service providers (such as home modification companies or caregiver services), and provider coordination support
- Using an omnichannel communication approach that honors the member’s preferences, which may include a program website, a program app, bi-directional digital communication tools (texting, SMS), and asynchronous phone and electronic communication and education campaigns
- A whole-person care philosophy to effectively engage members in a positive, collaborative experience while reducing and averting risks associated with frailty, falls and unplanned hospitalizations
What does the future look like?
Walt Disney once said, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” While we can’t all live in the happiest place on earth, as we grow older, we do have choices and steps to take to avoid things like falls and frailty so that we can live in the place that makes us the happiest-our homes.
Adopting a proactive and preventive approach is essential in helping older adults build resilience, ensuring they are equipped to face the challenges of aging. By focusing on early intervention, community support and the use of health technology tools, we can help older people maintain their independence, enhance their quality of life, and remain connected to their communities, paving the way for successful aging at home.
Susan Smith, RN, is director of clinical practice at Sagility. She is a registered nurse with more than 40 years of nursing experience including medical-surgical care, intensive care, triage, care management, elder care and adult learning.
