How Home Repair Aids Seniors in Independence
Background
Home repairs and modifications have changed the way we view aging in place and helped seniors live more independently. When it comes to senior living, more often than not people think of retirement homes. The narrative has long been to send your aging parents to some sort of assisted living space to live out the rest of their days. According to an article by AARP, ‘Home and Community Preference Survey’, more than three – fourths of older adults want to remain in these homes – and that “number has been consistent for over a decade.”
The term “aging in place” has come into popularity recently. Aging in place refers to the process an older adult goes through to live at their home for as long as possible. Aging in place allows individuals to stay in their communities where they have support and help from the people around them. This new senior aging method helps Americans successfully age at home, focusing on maintaining independence, health, and social inclusion. Not every elderly person wants to go into senior housing and be taken care of by strangers. Some older adults would like to remain in a recognizable area and rely on home modifications and home repairs to keep agency over their own lives.
According to Vanleerberge (2017), “quality of life and aging in place are unquestionably linked. Remaining in their homes helps older adults maintain their communities and support systems.” There are plenty of elders that feel that senior care facilities aren’t as comfortable as their homes. They also don’t allow for as much independence as aging in place does.
[ ] official position
The [ ] supports aging in place whenever possible because it helps older adults maintain their dignity and independence.
Points that back our position
Home repairs and modification for seniors maintain their agency by making a home that is easier for them to move around and get things done independently. Many seniors want to stay home in either their own homes or a place of their choosing and foster their independence. When it comes to staying or moving, Bookman and Kimberl (2011) note that many seniors often turn to their caregivers for help with the answer, “Most elders want to live in their own homes and neighborhoods; for some, safety and accessibility require home modifications.”
Arguments
One thing that both sides can agree on is that older adults with cognitive and functional disabilities, and care with a facility or a relative, may be a better option. Aging in place is not the best fit for everyone and sometimes modifications/repairs cannot overcome that fact. According to Stanton, E, & Stanton, C. (2024), one of the overlooked downsides of aging in place is when an older adult is mentally or physically too declined to care for themselves. “People seldom think about the dangers of living on your poses when you are not physically and mentally fit to care for yourself. In situations like these, it makes sense for the senior to be looked after because that is a better and safer option.
Some may argue that repairs and modifications are too expensive. This argument, while at face value, can be true; however, there are agencies and financial aid that can help low-income seniors. There are programs dedicated to helping pay for repairs and modifications so that aging at home is possible. Money does not have to be a deciding factor in whether a senior has the option to stay in their own home. According to an article by carelink.org, ‘Help For Seniors With Home Repair’, the National programs such as Safety at Home, the Section 504 Home Repair Program, the Low-Income Home Emergency Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program can assist. (Help for seniors with home repair, 2017)
There is reasonable concern for the safety and well-being of the seniors who do live on their own. This argument, while it is logical, strips seniors of their agency. The goal of home repairs and modifications is to help seniors adapt to moving around their homes. Home modifications are to extend the amount of time they can live on their own. According to Ridge (1996), there are many programs that help older adults stay physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially independent. This service can include personal shopping, more repairs, and more.
Recommendations
Institute new programs to help seniors and their caregivers know about more options for home repair and modification
Conduct more research on older adults who are aging at home so that they can give a more definitive picture of their needs and the challenges they face.
Gather more data on the long-term cost effectiveness of aging at home
Reference list
“Blog.” Hearts for Homes, www.heartsforhomes.org/blog/. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Bookman, Ann, and Delia Kimbrel. “Families and Elder Care in the Twenty-First Century.” The Future of Children, vol. 21, no. 2, 2011, pp. 117–40.
Davis, M. (Nov. 18, 2021) et al. “New AARP Survey Reveals Older Adults Want to Age in Place.” AARP, www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/home-and-community-preferences-survey.html. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Gray.C. "City nets funds to help residents age in place". Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), advance-lexis-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn%3acontentItem%3a6F5P-Y5G3-RRXG-90KM-00000-00&context=1519360&identityprofileid=5S2B7651956. Accessed March 11, 2025.
“Help for Seniors with Home Repairs.” CareLink, 24 July 2023, www.carelink.org/help-for-seniors-with-home-repairs/.
Hunt. M. (Oct. 2, 2024) Published by Bankrate. "Upgrade to age in place Home modifications to help keep seniors in their residences vary in cost, complexity". The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington), December 2, 2023, Saturday. https://www.bankrate.com/homeownership/home-modifications-aging-in-place/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22013631/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Ridge, D. “Questions Elders Ask about Housing and Care.” The American Journal of Nursing, vol. 96, no. 7, 1996, pp. 16A-16D. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3464909. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Stanton, Edd, and Cynthia Stanton. “The Overlooked Downsides of Aging in Place.” Next Avenue, Next Avenue, 23 Dec. 2024, www.nextavenue.org/the-overlooked-downsides-of-aging-in-place/.
Szander, N., Ros-McDonnell, L. & Bogotaj, M. “Spatial Dispersion of Housing Units as an Important Factor Influencing Long-Term Care Operational Costs.” Urbani Izziv, vol. 28, no. 1, 2017, pp. 147–56.https://www.academia.edu/63731791/Spatial_dispersion_of_housing_units_as_an_important_factor_influencing_long_term_care_operational_costs. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Vanleerberghe, P., Witte, N., Claes, C., Schalock, R., Verte, D. “The Quality of Life of Older People Aging in Place: A Literature Review.” Quality of Life Research, vol. 26, no. 11, 2017, pp. 2899–907. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5977005/ Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.