Modify or Move™? Your Options for Aging in Place

In our previous post, we explored the six key features that make a home safe and supportive for aging in place. But what if your current home doesn’t check all the boxes?

That’s where the big decision comes in:
Should you modify your current home—or is it time to move?

Three Paths Forward

At Forevermore Homes, we’ve guided many seniors and their families through this very decision. As Seniors Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) and Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS), we help you weigh your options with clarity and confidence.

If your current home no longer meets your needs, here are the three main paths to consider:

🛠️ 1. Stay and Modify Your Current Home

This option allows you to remain in a familiar environment while making home modifications that improve safety and accessibility—like installing grab bars, widening doorways, or creating a main-floor bedroom and bathroom.

🏡 2. Move to a More Suitable Home

Sometimes, a different home—such as a single-level condo, smaller house, or age-in-place-ready property—can better support your lifestyle. This option may still require some modifications, but the foundation is often more adaptable.

🏘️ 3. Relocate to a Senior Living Community

For those seeking built-in support, social opportunities, and access to healthcare, a move to a senior living community, assisted living, or a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) may be the best fit.

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Answer

The right path depends on your unique situation—including your health needs, financial resources, personal goals, and desire for independence and connection.

That’s why we created the Modify or Move™ framework—to help you evaluate your options thoughtfully and proactively, before a crisis forces a rushed decision.

Coming Up Next: Understanding Care Needs

In our next post, we’ll explore how your current and future care needs play a critical role in housing decisions. From Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) to long-term care planning, understanding your care requirements is key to choosing the right living arrangement.

Want the Full Guide Now?

If you’re ready to dive deeper into all your housing options without waiting for the full blog series, you can download the complete workbook today. Navigating the Next Chapter: Housing Options for Seniors in Transition is packed with expert insights, practical worksheets, and step-by-step guidance to help you or a loved one make confident, informed decisions.

Click here to get your complimentary copy now.

About Forevermore Homes

We’re the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, and we’re passionate about helping seniors and their families make confident, informed decisions about housing and care. Whether you’re modifying your home, downsizing, or exploring senior living options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

In our last post, we explored the top obstacles that can make aging in place difficult—like home safety risks, difficulty with daily tasks, and social isolation. These challenges often raise a critical question for older adults and their families:

Can my current home support the life I want to live as I age?

Whether you’re considering staying in your current home, downsizing to a more manageable space, or moving to a senior living community, it’s important to understand what makes a home truly supportive for aging in place.

What Makes a Home Age-Friendly?

At Forevermore Homes, we specialize in helping seniors and their families make informed housing decisions. As Seniors Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) and Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS), we’ve seen firsthand how the right home features can dramatically improve safety, independence, and quality of life.

Here are six essential features to look for in a home that supports aging in place:

✅ 1. One-Level Living

A single-story layout eliminates the need to navigate stairs, reducing fall risk and making daily movement easier—especially for those using mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs.

✅ 2. Low-Threshold, Covered Entry

A minimal step at the entrance shortens the ramp needed for accessibility, while a covered entry protects from rain, snow, and ice—making entry safer and more comfortable.

✅ 3. Wide Doorways

Doorways that are at least 32 inches wide allow for safe, easy passage with wheelchairs, rollators, or walkers—ensuring mobility isn’t restricted by narrow spaces.

✅ 4. Accessible Bathroom

Features like grab bars, roll-in showers, non-slip flooring, and comfort-height toilets help prevent falls and support independence with personal care.

✅ 5. Space for a Caregiver

A flexible room—such as a guest bedroom or den—can accommodate a caregiver if needed, offering support without sacrificing privacy or comfort.

✅ 6. Engaged Location

Living near friends, services, and community activities helps prevent isolation and supports a connected, fulfilling lifestyle. Proximity to healthcare, grocery stores, and transportation is also key.

Looking Ahead: Modify or Move™?

Now that you know what to look for in an age-friendly home, the next big question is:
Should I modify my current home—or is it time to move?

In our next post, we’ll introduce our Modify or Move™ framework to help you evaluate your options. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each path so you can make a decision that supports your safety, independence, and long-term goals.

Want the Full Guide Now?

If you’re ready to dive deeper into all your housing options without waiting for the full blog series, you can download the complete workbook today. Navigating the Next Chapter: Housing Options for Seniors in Transition is packed with expert insights, practical worksheets, and step-by-step guidance to help you or a loved one make confident, informed decisions.Click here to get your complimentary copy now.

About Forevermore Homes

We’re the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, and we’re passionate about helping seniors and their families make confident, informed decisions about housing and care. Whether you’re exploring aging in place, downsizing, or considering a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Obstacles to Aging in Place: What’s Standing in the Way?

In our previous post, we explored what it really means to age in place—and how defining your personal vision for quality of life in retirement is the first step toward making empowered housing decisions.

But even with the best intentions, there are real-world challenges that can make aging in place difficult. Whether you’re a senior planning for the future or an adult child supporting a parent, understanding these obstacles is essential to creating a safe, supportive, and connected living environment.

The Top 3 Obstacles to Aging in Place

1. An Unsafe Home Environment

Many homes were not designed with aging in mind. Poor lighting, steep stairs, narrow doorways, and the absence of grab bars or non-slip surfaces can significantly increase the risk of falls and injuries—a leading cause of hospitalization among older adults.

2. Difficulty with Daily Tasks

As we age, everyday activities like bathing, dressing, cooking, or managing medications can become more challenging. Without the right support or modifications, these difficulties can threaten both independence and well-being.

3. Social Isolation

Living alone or in a neighborhood without easy access to transportation or community activities can lead to loneliness and depression. Social isolation doesn’t just affect emotional health—it’s also linked to a decline in physical health and cognitive function.

Why These Obstacles Matter

At Forevermore Homes, we’ve worked with many families who delayed making changes until a crisis forced a rushed decision. That’s why we’re passionate about educating seniors and their families on how to plan ahead—so you can make thoughtful, proactive choices that support your goals.

As Seniors Real Estate Specialists® (SRES®) and Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS), we help you identify and address these obstacles early—whether that means modifying your current home, downsizing to a safer space, or exploring senior living communities that offer built-in support and connection.

What Comes Next: The Big Question—Where Will I Live?

Understanding what contributes to a high quality of life—and what can stand in the way—naturally leads to one of the most impactful decisions you’ll face: where you live.

Your living environment can either support or hinder your ability to stay safe, healthy, independent, and connected. That’s why in our next post, we’ll explore the big question:
Should I modify my current home, or is it time to move?

We’ll walk you through the key features of a home that supports aging in place and introduce our Modify or Move™ framework to help you evaluate your options with clarity and confidence.

Want the Full Guide Now?

If you’re ready to dive deeper into all your housing options without waiting for the full blog series, you can download the complete workbook today. Navigating the Next Chapter: Housing Options for Seniors in Transition is packed with expert insights, practical worksheets, and step-by-step guidance to help you or a loved one make confident, informed decisions.

Click here to get your complimentary copy now.

About Forevermore Homes

We’re the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, and we’re passionate about helping seniors and their families make confident, informed decisions about housing and care. Whether you’re modifying your home, downsizing, or exploring senior living options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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.

Want the Full Guide Now?

If you’re ready to dive deeper into all your housing options without waiting for the full blog series, you can download the complete workbook today. Navigating the Next Chapter: Housing Options for Seniors in Transition is packed with expert insights, practical worksheets, and step-by-step guidance to help you or a loved one make confident, informed decisions.

Click here to get your complimentary copy now.

About Forevermore Homes

We’re the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, and we’re passionate about helping seniors and their families make confident, informed decisions about housing and care. Whether you’re modifying your home, downsizing, or exploring senior living options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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.

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:

1. 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?

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

Want the Full Guide Now?

If you’re ready to dive deeper into all your housing options without waiting for the full blog series, you can download the complete workbook today. Navigating the Next Chapter: Housing Options for Seniors in Transition is packed with expert insights, practical worksheets, and step-by-step guidance to help you or a loved one make confident, informed decisions.

Click here to get your complimentary copy now.

About Forevermore Homes

We’re the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, and we’re passionate about helping seniors and their families make confident, informed decisions about housing and care. Whether you’re modifying your home, downsizing, or exploring senior living options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Senior couple looking at senior communities with their daughter.