A clear comparison to help families understand the real tradeoffs and decide what's right for their situation.
There's no universally "better" choice. The right decision depends on your family's specific situation — health needs, finances, social preferences, and how involved family can be.
Many families assume aging in place is always cheaper and better. Sometimes it is. Sometimes assisted living makes more sense. This guide helps you think through the real factors.
| Factor | Aging in Place | Assisted Living |
|---|---|---|
| Independence | Maximum — stay in your own home, keep your routine | Moderate — shared community, some scheduled activities |
| Social Connection | Requires effort — must be proactive about social activities | Built-in — daily interaction with residents and staff |
| Medical Support | Coordinated with outside providers | On-site staff, often 24/7 |
| Cost (Light Care) | $500-1,500/month for monitoring + light support | $4,000-6,000/month typical |
| Cost (Heavy Care) | $5,000-10,000+/month for 24/7 care | $6,000-10,000/month for memory care |
| Home Maintenance | Your responsibility (or hire help) | Included |
| Family Involvement | Often higher — more coordination needed | Reduced daily burden, but still important |
Aging in place means remaining in your own home and community safely as you age, rather than moving to assisted living or a nursing facility. It often requires home modifications, support services, and monitoring to ensure safety.
It depends on the level of care needed. Light support and monitoring at home is typically much cheaper than assisted living. However, 24/7 in-home care can exceed assisted living costs. Most families fall somewhere in between.
A Home Safety Review can help you understand whether aging in place is realistic for your situation — and what it would take to make it work safely.
