Uncategorized • July 8, 2025

What Does It Really Mean to Age in Place?

by Kathleen Moniello

What Does It Really Mean to Age in Place?

In our first post, we introduced the idea that as we grow older, the homes that once served us well may no longer support our evolving needs. Whether you’re a senior exploring downsizing, considering a move to a senior living community, or an adult child helping a parent plan for the future, the decisions ahead can feel overwhelming—but they don’t have to be.

One of the most common questions we hear is:
“What does it actually mean to age in place?”

Rethinking Aging in Place

Traditionally, aging in place has been defined as staying in your current home for as long as possible. While that may sound comforting, it can sometimes lead to unintended consequences—like social isolation, home safety risks, or financial strain—especially if the home no longer fits your lifestyle or care needs.

At Forevermore Homes, we take a more empowering approach. As Seniors Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) and Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS), we’ve helped many older adults and their families reframe this concept in a way that prioritizes quality of life over location.

We define aging in place as:
“Living safely and comfortably in the home of my choice while maintaining the best possible QUALITY OF LIFE and experiencing a sense of physical, financial, and emotional well-being.”

This definition opens the door to more options—whether that means modifying your current home, downsizing to a more manageable space, or moving to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) or assisted living community that better supports your needs.

What Does Quality of Life Look Like?

To make confident decisions about where and how to live, it’s essential to define what quality of life means to you. Here are some of the most common goals we hear from seniors and their families:

Preventing falls and accidents
Managing health and wellness
Maintaining good nutrition
Receiving help with daily activities when needed
Staying as independent as possible
Remaining socially connected
Ensuring financial security
Having access to reliable transportation

Your Vision, Your Values

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your priorities, preferences, and values should guide every decision you make about where and how to live as you age. Whether you’re considering aging in place, downsizing to a condo, or exploring senior housing options, the first step is defining what matters most to you.

Later in this series, we’ll share tools and worksheets to help you clarify your personal vision. This will serve as the foundation for your housing and care decisions—ensuring they reflect your goals, not just your circumstances.

Coming Up Next: The Obstacles to Aging in Place

In our next post, we’ll explore the common challenges that can make aging in place difficult—from home safety concerns to social isolation and financial limitations. Understanding these obstacles is the first step toward creating a plan that works.

About Forevermore Homes

At Forevermore Homes, we specialize in helping older adults and their families make informed, empowered decisions about housing and care. As Seniors Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) and Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS), we understand the emotional, physical, and financial complexities of planning for the future.

Whether you’re considering modifying your current home, downsizing, or exploring senior living communities, our team is here to guide you with compassion, clarity, and expertise—every step of the way.

Navigating the Next Chapter: A Guide to Senior Housing Transitions

by Kathleen Moniello

Series Introduction:

As we grow older, the homes that once fit our lives so well can begin to feel less suitable. Stairs become steeper, maintenance more demanding, and the layout less aligned with our changing needs. But it’s not just about physical space. Many older adults also find it increasingly difficult to manage everyday tasks—like preparing meals or getting dressed.

Others may feel the quiet weight of isolation, missing the daily interactions and sense of community that once came more easily.

These challenges often build slowly, until one day it becomes clear: something needs to change. Yet without a clear direction, the decisions ahead—whether to age in place at home at an assisted living community—can feel overwhelming.

Senior couple having trouble with stairs.

Others may feel the quiet weight of isolation, missing the daily interactions and sense of community that once came more easily.

This lack of clarity often leads to inaction. It’s common to delay making changes until a crisis—like a fall or sudden health issue—forces a rushed decision under stress. In those moments, choices are often made quickly, and not always by the person most affected.

We’re the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, and we’ve helped many families navigate this very process. As Seniors Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) and Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS), we bring both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to helping older adults and their families make informed, proactive decisions about where and how to live.

Our passion lies in educating seniors and adult children about the housing component of aging in place—because we believe that with the right information, the right time, and the right support, you can make choices that truly enhance your quality of life.

This post is the first in a new blog series designed to guide you through the many aspects of senior housing transitions. Whether you’re exploring continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), comparing the cost of assisted living vs staying at home, or simply wondering if your current home can support your future needs, we’re here to help.

What to Expect in This Series:

This blog series is based on our comprehensive guide and will walk you through every step of the senior housing decision-making process. Here’s what we’ll cover:

Understanding Aging in Place and Quality of Life

What does it really mean to age in place?
How do you define quality of life as you grow older?
What are the common obstacles that make aging in place difficult?

The Big Question: Where Should I Live?

6 key features of a home that supports aging in place
Should you modify your current home or move? (Modify or Move™ framework)

Understanding Care Needs

What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and why do they matter?
A broader look at long-term care needs
Planning for care costs and future support

Exploring Housing Options for Seniors

Private living options: houses, condos, and multigenerational living
Community living options: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)
How to choose the right senior community
Comparing the cost of living at home vs. a senior living community

A Step-by-Step Planning Process

Define your vision and identify obstacles
Build your team: real estate, financial, and legal professionals
Assess your current home and estimate modification costs
Explore age-in-place-ready homes and tour senior communities
Use a weighted rating system to make confident, informed decisions

Tools and Resources to Support Your Journey

Worksheets to clarify your vision, compare communities, and plan financially
A curated list of professionals who specialize in supporting seniors
A decision matrix to help you evaluate your options with clarity

Wherever you are in this journey—just beginning to ask questions or actively weighing your options—know that you’re not alone. With the right information and support, this process can lead to greater comfort, safety, and peace of mind.

We hope this series empowers you to move forward with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

Senior couple looking at senior communities with their daughter.