“When
people
can
stay
in
their
own
homes,
that
has
a
positive
impact
on
their
happiness,
self-esteem
and
quality
of
life,”

she
said.
“We
know
that
happiness
also
has
a
positive
influence
on
their
health
and
well-being.
You
just
want
to
be
sure
their
home
is
‘aging
ready’
and
that
they
have
access
to
the
support
and
services
they
need.”

Home
modifications
are
often
overlooked
in
the
broader
aging-in-place
discussion,
she
said,
but
elements
in
higher-risk
areas
for
potential
instability
in
a
home
—
such
as
a
bathroom
or
kitchen,
where
the
likelihood
of
slips
can
be
higher
—
should
be
taken
into
account
when
determining
a
plan
for
aging
in
place
successfully.

“Ask
yourself,
is
my
home
‘aging
ready’?”
she
said.
“Does
it
have
a
step-free
entryway,
a
bedroom
and
bathroom
on
the
first
floor,
and
does
it
have
features
that
can
be
easily
adapted
for
future
needs,
such
as
a
home
office
that
can
be
turned
into
a
bathroom
or
extra
bedroom
for
a
caregiver?”

Home
modifications
are
a

growing
business,
but
when
it
comes
to
accommodating
aging,
the
expense
can
be
steep
depending
on
the
condition
of
the
home.
That’s
why
it’s
important
to
weigh
the
cost
of
such
renovations
versus
other
options,
including
finding
a
home
that
may
already
be
well-suited
for
living
in
later
life.

Ongoing
maintenance
costs
should
also
be
factored
into
any
decision,
and
home-health
or
personal
care
should
likely
be
included
in
any
full
assessment
of
the
care
landscape,
she
added.
But
other
considerations
should
include
the
isolation
that
can
come
with
the
decision
to
age
at
home
versus
other
options.

“Aging
in
place
can

lead
to
social
isolation,
especially
if
mobility
limitations
or
other
factors
make
it
difficult
to
maintain
social
connections,”
Redwine
told
the
university.
“Actively
planning
for
social
interactions,
whether
through
community
groups,
volunteer
work
or
connecting
with
neighbors,
can
help
combat
loneliness.”