Active Aging Presented by Public Health Seattle-King County
If you’re wrestling with the question of whether to downsize or age in place in your current home, there are many factors to consider.
First, if you’re an empty nester, your adult children are probably living in their own homes. You may not need all the living space you have.
Next, if you are dealing with age-related physical or mobility changes, your current home may not be as convenient or safe as it once was. Another question to ponder is whether moving is financially feasible.
Finally, leaving your familiar home, neighbors, support network, and all the memories you’ve made can be emotionally challenging.
This guide explores the pros and cons of both choices to help you make an informed decision.
What Do Older Adults Want to Do?
If you’re facing the life-altering decision to stay in your home as you age or downsize, you’re not alone.
Older adults currently account for an unprecedented amount of the U.S. population, according to the Population Reference Bureau. The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050. This surge represents a 47% increase during that period.
A 2021 AARP survey showed 75% of respondents aged 50+ want to stay in their current homes or communities for as long as possible.
Here are some pros and cons of both choices.
The Pros and Cons of Aging in Place
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) defines aging in place as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”
Chief considerations include your home’s age and whether it safely supports your age-related physical changes.
Pros of Aging in Place
- You can live in a familiar home and neighborhood with people you know, who can provide support and social connection when you need it.
- You’ll make future memories in the home where you’ve already made many cherished memories.
- You don’t have to shop for a new place to live.
- You don’t have to worry about home resale value, and whether you can get what you need when you sell your home.
- Renovations can make your home more accessible and easier to navigate.
- You can pass on your family home to your children.
Cons of Aging in Place
- Renovations to improve accessibility at home might be financially challenging. One aging in place expert told AARP that renovations can range “anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000” and depend on “whether you’re doing a whole-house renovation or adding on.”
- Renovations for a split-level home, an older home, or one that needs repairs might be impractical if it requires nearly tearing the house down and starting over.
- Home health care, if you need it, might be too expensive.
- The older you get, the harder it is to do home maintenance, upkeep, and repairs.
- The older a home gets, the more items like the roof, windows, and HVAC units need costly repairs or replacement.
The Pros and Cons of Downsizing
All seniors have unique needs, and downsizing might not be right for everyone.
Pros of Downsizing
- A smaller home requires less upkeep and offers lower utility bills.
- If you move to a condo, the HOA fee will cover exterior repairs, yard maintenance, and snow removal.
- Downsizing offers an opportunity to declutter and purge belongings you no longer want or need.
- Decreased living expenses can lower financial stress.
- You can still enjoy social opportunities in your new neighborhood and make new friends.
- If you choose to live in an assisted living facility, many offer help with personal care and medications.
Cons of Downsizing
- Acclimating to a new community can be challenging.
- Living further from family and friends may cause loneliness.
- Moving costs quickly add up, and the process may require physical labor.
- You may have to give up personal items due to limited space.
- If you buy a smaller home, maintenance and upkeep can still be increasingly complex as you age.
Senior Living Options
Downsizing entails multiple senior living options — what you choose may depend on whether you need extra care or help in a new home.
For example, condos offer a smaller living space with yard upkeep and snow removal included in an HOA fee. Many condo communities also provide recreational amenities like a swimming pool, tennis court, or clubhouse.
The National Institute on Aging lists different types of senior residential facilities, including:
- A nursing home offers nursing care, 24-hour supervision, and help with personal care.
- Assisted living facilities offer some support, although typically less specialized care. Some facilities provide transitional care, such as memory care, if residents eventually need it.
- A senior cooperative community offers a homeowner equity share in the entire community, maintenance-fee living, appreciation for your unit (which resembles a condo), and a bevy of social opportunities within the community that active agers can enjoy.
Choosing whether to age in place or downsize is a deeply personal issue that you and your loved ones should discuss and explore seriously. Ultimately, you deserve to enjoy the next chapter of your life in the way that suits your needs best.
Active Aging is presented by Public Health- Seattle & King County. Public Health- Seattle & King County recognizes the important and untold stories of innovation, service, and sacrifice by the Black community and supports efforts to improve equity and achieve social justice. We want everyone to get health insurance and access health care. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/health for health insurance, flu and COVID-19 testing locations.
