Looking around your home, you may wonder whether it makes more sense to age in place or to consider moving into a senior living community such as a Life Plan Community, also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). While staying in your own home can feel comfortable and familiar, most houses were not designed with aging in place in mind. In fact, research from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that only about 10 percent of American homes are “aging ready.” That means the majority of homes lack important features like step-free entryways, first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms, or accessibility upgrades.
Before making a decision, it helps to look at the differences between preparing a traditional home for aging in place and choosing a CCRC that has already been designed with long-term comfort, social connection, and safety in mind.
The Realities of Aging in Place
Aging in place often requires significant modifications to a house. These updates are intended to reduce risks and increase accessibility, but they can also be expensive and ongoing as needs change. Examples include:
- Widening doorways for mobility devices: $300 to $1,000 per doorway
- Installing ramps and grab bars: $500 to $2,000
- Bathroom and kitchen modifications: $1,000 to $5,000
- Replacing carpet with non-slip flooring: $1,000 to $3,000
- Adding walk-in showers: $1,000 to $12,000, or even higher for advanced designs
- Monthly subscription for a medical alert system: $50 to $200
These costs can add up quickly, especially if updates need to be repeated as mobility or health conditions change. On top of that, home ownership also brings regular expenses such as landscaping, maintenance, utilities, and emergency repair costs. Families who choose to age in place may also need to consider the cost and coordination of in-home caregiving and outside support.
Even with modifications, there is no guarantee a home will be able to meet all future needs. For many people, this uncertainty is a key factor when comparing aging in place to the stability of a CCRC.
What to Consider in Your Home
If you are evaluating whether your home is right for aging in place, ask yourself:
- Are all entrances step-free and wide enough for walkers or wheelchairs?
- Is there a full bedroom and bathroom on the main level?
- Do bathrooms include accessibility features such as grab bars or walk-in showers?
- Is lighting adequate to reduce the risk of falls?
- Do you have immediate access to help in an emergency?
If the answer to several of these questions is no, making your home safe and supportive for long-term living may involve both significant expense and ongoing stress.
How a CCRC Supports Future Care
Life Plan Communities like University Village Thousand Oaks are designed from the ground up with future care in mind. Homes already include features such as step-free entries, accessible bathrooms, and layouts created for long-term comfort.
But the advantages go beyond the design of the Homes:
- Safety services on site – University Village has trained safety staff available 24/7. Every team member is a certified EMT, which provides added confidence in case of emergencies.
- Access to care when needed – If your health needs change, you have priority access to the adjacent health center for assisted living, memory care, and long-term care in a skilled nursing center, if ever needed. This creates peace of mind for both residents and their families.
- Opportunities for connection – Aging at home can increase the risk of isolation, while a CCRC fosters community through events, activities, and friendships that support overall well-being.
- Predictable planning – With a Type A contract, residents have a clear plan for residential living and access to future care at more predictable rates, helping to reduce uncertainty.
Which Option Is Right for You?
For some people, staying in a longtime home feels like the right choice. But it requires ongoing costs, planning, and often the involvement of family members to help coordinate care. For others, moving to a CCRC like University Village Thousand Oaks provides added confidence, more social opportunities, and homes designed for comfort and safety, along with access to future care if ever needed.
University Village Thousand Oaks is a Life Plan Community that combines a welcoming lifestyle today with a thoughtful plan for tomorrow. Residents enjoy beautifully maintained grounds, services that reduce the burden of everyday chores, and a vibrant calendar of programs and activities. At the same time, they have the reassurance of priority access to the adjacent health center if future care needs arise.
Making this decision is deeply personal, but by understanding both the realities of aging in place and the advantages of a CCRC, you can choose the path that best aligns with your goals for security, comfort, and peace of mind.
Ready to start doing more of what you love? Read more about the benefits of a Life Plan Community like University Village Thousand Oaks or contact us today to schedule a tour.
