Axis Estate Planning | Planning for the Future with Confidence
Most of us hope to stay in the place we know best as we grow older: home. That desire isn’t sentimental—it’s deeply practical and widely shared. According to AARP’s 2024 Home & Community Preferences Survey, 75% of adults age 50+ say they want to remain in their current home as they age.
At Axis Estate Planning, we understand that the wish to age at home is rooted in independence, dignity, and familiarity. But the systems that support aging in place are under pressure, and thoughtful planning is becoming more essential than ever.
This article offers a practical look at what aging at home truly requires, why more families will rely on it in coming years, and the legal and financial steps you can take now to protect independence, safety, and peace of mind.
The Silver Tsunami Is Here
Baby boomers are entering their retirement years at historic rates—roughly 10,000 people turn 65 every day. By 2030, every surviving member of the generation will be 65 or older. This demographic shift is dramatically increasing demand for long-term care services, especially home-based care.
At the same time, the cost of institutional care continues to climb. National median costs for 2024 show:
- $77,800/year for in-home care with a home health aide
- $70,800/year for assisted living
- $127,750/year for a private nursing home room
It’s no surprise that many families view aging at home as the most realistic option—emotionally and financially.
Yet demand for home care workers is outpacing supply, and the workforce remains strained. That shortage affects availability, pricing, and reliability.
What Aging at Home Can Look Like
There is no one-size-fits-all model. Successful aging at home is a blend of planning, resources, and adaptability. Options include:
Home Modifications
Simple improvements—grab bars, curbless showers, stair lifts, better lighting, first-floor bedrooms—can dramatically increase safety and prevent falls.
Paid In-Home Support
Home health aides, homemaker services, skilled nursing care, or overnight support programs. Hours range from a few per week to round-the-clock coverage.
Adult Day Programs
Structured daytime support for social connection, supervision, and medical monitoring—ideal for working caregivers.
PACE & Community-Based Programs
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides coordinated medical and personal care for eligible participants in certain regions.
Assisted Living or Nursing Care
For those requiring 24/7 supervision or specialized medical treatment, facility care remains essential—but costly and often limited in capacity.
The Financial and Access Challenges
While home-based care is appealing, families must navigate several obstacles:
- Medicare does not typically cover long-term custodial care.
- Medicaid may help, but many states have long waiting lists for Home- & Community-Based Services (HCBS).
- Many aging homes are not accessible or safety-ready.
- Caregiver burnout is real—most long-term care is provided by unpaid family members.
- Availability of care workers varies significantly by location.
Planning early—before a crisis—can prevent rushed decisions, financial strain, and unsafe living conditions.
Where Estate Planning Comes In
You may wonder what aging-at-home choices have to do with estate planning. At Axis Estate Planning, we believe they are inseparable. Aging at home requires authority, access, and financial control—all issues solved through proactive legal planning.
Essential Legal Tools to Support Aging at Home
Make sure you have:
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Health Care Power of Attorney
- HIPAA Authorization
- Revocable Living Trust, when appropriate
- Explicit language authorizing digital and telehealth access
- Authority for agents to arrange and fund home care and home modifications
Without these documents—or without the right language—your loved ones may be blocked from arranging care, paying bills, coordinating medical services, or accessing accounts during a crisis.
At Axis Estate Planning, we believe planning is an act of generosity. It allows your family to support you with clarity and avoids unnecessary legal barriers at the worst possible moments.
Practical Next Steps
If aging at home is your preference:
Start Conversations Early
Talk openly with your family about care preferences and financial realities.
Assess Your Home & Budget
Consider a professional aging-in-place home assessment and compare modification costs to alternatives like assisted living.
Review Eligibility for Public Benefits
Explore Medicaid HCBS waivers, PACE programs, VA Aid & Attendance, and local services—waiting lists can be long.
Update Your Planning Documents
Make sure they reflect modern realities, including digital health systems and online financial management.
The Bottom Line
Aging at home is the preferred and often the most achievable long-term care plan for millions of Americans. But it is not effortless or automatic. Success requires:
- Sound legal authority
- Financial strategy
- Home adaptation
- Realistic expectations about available services
At Axis Estate Planning, we are here to help families prepare with confidence, compassion, and clarity.
We’re Here to Support Your Plan to Age at Home
If your documents pre-date today’s caregiving and healthcare landscape, 2025 is the right time to review them.
Visit Us: 900 Wilshire Drive, Suite 105, Troy, MI 48084
Call Us: (248) 251-1001
Learn More: www.axisattorneys.com