Living at Home or in a Senior Living Community: A Guide to Making the Right Choice June 24, 2025 Aging in place means to grow older in the same home or living quarters over time. Aging in place can happen anywhere, from your original family home to a senior living community. As time passes and we get older, our living arrangement needs can change and oftentimes the setup we have at home no longer works for our current needs. It can also become difficult to manage the tasks it takes to maintain a home as we age. According to the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, a large number of seniors would prefer to age in place at home. Still, despite this preference, many homes lack the necessary modifications to support aging in place. The same poll found that only 15% of older adults had given significant thought to the modifications needed to facilitate aging in place in their current homes. Due to the lack of home modifications and additional support and services needed to continue to age in place at home, it becomes difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to continue to age in place at home. Aging in Place at Your Current Home We as humans are comfort creatures, making it difficult to change our ways as we get more and more settled into a routine. As a result, many seniors would prefer to age in place in their own homes. Everyone’s experience of aging is different, but as we age, our needs and capabilities change. Depending on your personal needs and capabilities, aging in place can look different compared to your friend or next-door neighbor. Some common modifications to one’s home as we age are: Bathroom Modifications Grab bars: Installed near toilets, showers, and bathtubs for stability Walk-In Tubs or Showers: Designed for easy entry, often with seating and anti-slip surfaces Shower Benches or Chairs: Provide stability while bathing Kitchen Modifications Lowered Countertops or Adjustable-Height Counters: For wheelchair accessibility Improved Lighting: Under-cabinet lights to improve visibility for food preparation Entryway Modifications No-Step Entryways: Eliminate stairs for easier access Widened Doorways: Accommodate mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers General Modifications Emergency Alert Systems: Wall-mounted or wearable devices for quick access to help Non-Slip Flooring or Carpeting: Reduces tripping hazards Adjustable Beds: For comfort and ease of getting in and out Home Security Systems: Cameras and alarms for added safety In addition to home modifications, seniors may require various services to help manage daily tasks, maintain their homes, and support their independence as they age. These services can provide the extra assistance needed to handle day-to-day responsibilities and ensure a safe, comfortable living environment. Some of these services include: Housekeeping: Having someone come in regularly to keep the home clean Laundry Service: A service to ensure all laundry and bedding is clean and folded Prepared meals / Grocery Delivery: Preparing meals can become challenging with age A personal chef or meal service ensures daily access to healthy, delicious meals, while grocery delivery provides a safe way to get essentials Landscaping and Lawn Care: Keeping outdoor spaces well-maintained Transportation Services: Rides to medical appointments or social activities Pet Care Services: Walking, feeding, or grooming pets Home Health Aides: Assistance with bathing, dressing, medication management, and grooming While many of these services are widely available across the country, they can become costly when added together each month. Even with these resources, there are situations where moving to a senior living community or nursing home may be the best option—such as when managing visual or hearing impairments, Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, social engagement needs, or similar challenges that require more comprehensive support. Aging in Place at a Senior Living Community For many seniors, the goal is to maintain independence and continue living in a familiar, supportive environment as they age. Aging in place at a senior living community offers a unique solution that combines the comforts of home with the peace of mind that comes from having access to professional care and a wide range of services. These communities are designed to adapt to your changing needs, ensuring that you can stay in one place without sacrificing your quality of life. At Sancerre senior living communities in Florida and Virginia, aging in place is possible at any level of care – whether you’re in Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care. This means that you would not have to come out of the senior living community and your access to amenities and services would not change – giving you the independence and true aging-in-place experience most seniors are seeking. Sancerre senior living communities offer a vast range of amenities and services to their residents, including: In-house chefs preparing all meals and snacks Fitness centers Full-service salons Housekeeping and laundry services Daily activities and off-site excursions Classes and activity clubs Transportation services 24-hour on-site clinical staff Nurse call systems Libraries 24-hour secure buildings Concierge services Outdoor activities, like bocce ball Movie theaters Sancerre Senior Living Communities Sancerre at Palm Coast in Palm Coast, Florida Sancerre at Orange City in Orange City, Florida Sancerre Atlee Station in Mechanicsville, Virginia Mental and Physical Benefits of Social Interaction Living amongst other people and staying social have incredible benefits to our longevity and quality of life. Research published in The Journals of Gerontology by Harvard revealed that older adults who interacted with a diverse social network exhibited higher levels of physical activity and more positive moods. This is one of the reasons the Sancerre senior living communities have intergenerational programs, to broaden relationships with different generations, and daily activities, to bond and socialize with each other. A 2024 AARP survey found that 74% of adults aged 50 and older identified in-person socializing as a key factor in their happiness. Although there is a high rate of seniors who identify in-person socialization as a key to happiness, the same survey reports that 22% of people ages 50-plus are socializing less than once a week. This is due to the fact that when we get older, our loved ones have moved out of the family house and are having families of their own. Living in a senior living community helps combat the lack of social interaction commonly found in seniors living alone. At Sancerre senior living communities, we know that choosing where to age is a big decision—one that depends on your lifestyle, care needs, and personal priorities. Our goal is to provide honest information and compassionate guidance, so you can make the choice that truly supports your well-being, whether that means staying in your home or joining a senior living community.If you have any questions on aging in place or about one of the Sancerre senior living communities, give our team a call at 855-220-7477 or contact us today for more information.
