The desire to be independent and make our own choices doesn’t fade with age. However, it becomes more complex as physical limitations, health concerns and the need for assistance often begin to surface. For many seniors, maintaining autonomy means adjusting to new realities and accepting help — though that doesn’t have to mean losing independence. In fact, with the right support, seniors can stay in their homes and continue living fulfilling lives.
Fortunately, we live in a time when there are more resources and technologies available than ever before — some free, while others are subscription- or fee-based — making aging in place more feasible for many seniors. From meal delivery services to home modifications, these tools can help alleviate some of the burdens that come with daily life.
Yet, as Sondra “Sam” Cradduck, gerontologist, psychologist and owner of The Living Room, points out, “The problem isn’t the lack of services as much as it is the lack of education and understanding of what services are available.” Cradduck adds that many seniors feel embarrassed or view seeking help as asking for charity, making them reluctant to take advantage of these resources.
Here experts break down those barriers by highlighting key resources that can make a real difference for seniors living independently and their loved ones, allowing older adults to focus on what matters most: the activities and relationships that bring them joy.
In-home resources
“A lot of seniors have the desire to live independently and in their home,” says Nicole Will, founder of willGather podcast and cofounder of Think Tank. The trick is figuring out what resources can help make that happen, and the experts we spoke to shared some of their favorite services to make it more doable for seniors to age in their own home.
Household task outsourcing
When it comes to discussing what you can take off you or your loved one’s plate, it makes sense to start with household chores that tend to not be favorites.
- Grocery and food delivery: From free programs like Meals on Wheels to giftable meal delivery services like Spoonful of Comfort and grocery delivery via Instacart, there are many ways to provide meal support. However, Cradduck points out that relying solely on meal delivery can result in a loss of socialization and community interaction, depending on the individual.
- House cleaning, laundry and lawn care are other places outsourcing can give back some freedom. For Jessica Ernst, a family advocate in Fountain City, Wisconsin, these were the tasks she took on when caring for her grandmother, while also utilizing an in-home nurse and eventually a cleaner. Outsourcing these tasks ultimately allowed her grandmother to focus her attention on things she enjoyed, such as singing at her church.
Cradduck adds that home health aides can also be helpful here, in that they can assist with tasks around the home while also being “trained well enough to recognize decline and additional needs and be able to communicate the same back to the family.”
Home modifications
A key component of keeping seniors living independently in their homes is ensuring that their homes don’t pose unnecessary risks, as well as considering adding modifications to increase safety.
- Simple safety upgrades: According to Will and Cradduck, installing grab bars, toilet risers, roll-in showers, entry ramps, handrails on all stairs, removing throw rugs (which can be a tripping hazard) and ensuring flooring is solid and level are all ways to set up for successful aging in place.
- Smart home technology: While the ever-expanding world of technology can be overwhelming for a lot of people (more tips on navigating these challenges later), there are ways it can benefit an older adult and provide a safer home environment This might look like setting up security systems and automated lighting, or setting up a virtual assistant like Amazon’s Alexa, allowing seniors to verbally turn lights on and off, play music and order groceries, says Will. She adds that the Nobi smart lamp — which has a discreet AI sensor that can monitor for falls — is a tool that can increase safety.
Health and wellness services
Monitoring, maintaining and accessing healthcare can understandably become more complicated as people age. Our experts share their top resources here to keep older adults healthy, a helpful aspect for keeping seniors living independently.
Virtual healthcare services
Most people are likely familiar with telehealth visits at this point, and while they can be a great tool for the right people, Cradduck does caution against utilizing them in all circumstances. “It is very hard for anyone to pick up on potential issues that the senior themself may be unaware of or intentionally hiding for fear of losing independence,” she says. Because telehealth visits can’t easily address issues like pressure sores, skin and hygiene problems and blood pressure or blood sugar concerns, she recommends that a patient advocate (either a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse) do a home visit during those telehealth visits, to avoid serious issues being missed.
Medication management tools
In addition to the traditional pill dispensers, there are numerous tools now on the market that can make monitoring and managing medication more easily, such as timed dispensers and smartphone apps. Will recommends Ōmcare, an all-in-one home health hub that dispenses medication, as well as allowing seniors to connect directly with their care team via the device.
Medical alert systems
Personal emergency response systems are a good investment, especially if they have fall and location detection, says Cradduck. This allows seniors living alone to “take walks, work in [their] yard and move about their world with the protection of knowing that if they fall, help will be available,” she adds.
She also advises getting an outside lockbox for their entry key and making sure the emergency response service knows the access code. In the case of a fall, “paramedics and firefighters will gain access to your home and may do so by taking the door down if they are unable to unlock and enter,” she warns.
Exercise programs for seniors
There are numerous options for online exercise programs, but Will recommends Vivo, which is specifically tailored for those who are 55-years-old and older. The classes are live, interactive and tailored to specific fitness levels and goals, “so you get that community and that connection,” she says, as well as “improving your strength and staying active.”
And while staying active is generally encouraged by medical professionals, Cradduck warns that exercise programs and community classes are great if you or the senior adult want to utilize them. Too often, she says, she sees well-meaning family members pushing for more activity, not realizing their loved one may be experiencing arthritic pain or other issues that make exercise difficult. Here, she advises that “the aging process has to be about quality and not quantity.”
Social and emotional supports
According to the National Institute on Aging, older adults are at a high risk for social isolation and loneliness, and this is associated with increased risks for health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, dementia and more. As people age, Will adds that their circle of friends tends to decrease, making intentional connections within the community that much more intensely vital.
Senior social networks and community programs
A local senior center may offer a wide variety of programs and services, including health, wellness and exercise programs, employment assistance, social and recreational activities, transportation services and so much more, according to the National Council on Aging.
With all of these benefits, Will recommends looking for a local senior center, as well as their Area Agency on Aging, which is “a public or private nonprofit agency, designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of all older persons at the regional and local levels.”
And if online communities are more accessible or preferred by individuals, Will recommends Get Set Up (a hub of online classes for older adults, taught by older adults) and Discover Live (interactive virtual tours of places across the world that you can share with others).
Companion services
If nonmedical companionship is needed, companion caregivers may be the answer to isolation and loneliness for some seniors living alone. From helping with tasks like meal prep to providing transportation to engaging in crafts and other activities, companion caregivers can fill a large need.
Find companion care
Mental health resources
When it comes to the mental health of seniors, Will highly recommends the Center for Mental Health and Aging, which “provides support specifically in the mental health area and specifically for older adults,” she says. In addition to a plethora of senior mental health-specific articles and expert guides, the website also houses a search function for finding an appropriate mental health professional.
Financial assistance resources
Many services that make aging in place doable also come with a price tag. However, there are also “numerous [financial] programs that seniors are unaware of,” says Cradduck.
In addition to Medicare, some seniors are also eligible for Medicaid, and both may offer coverage for home healthcare. Cradduck adds that many seniors are also entitled to assistance through the Veterans Aid and Attendance program.
The National Institute on Aging summarizes other financing options and programs for home care and assistance, but Cradduck adds that there are also senior discounts to be found in less obvious places.
Enquire in your city or state about the following:
- Property tax reductions for low-income seniors.
- Reduced rates from utility companies.
- Reduced and/or free transportation via public transit.
Transportation solutions
Losing driving privileges can be devastating, but it doesn’t have to mean a total loss of freedom. In addition to utilizing services from companion caregivers, as mentioned earlier, there are other programs and services that can help seniors get where they need (and want) to go.
- Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft.
- Concierge rideshare services like Uber Health and GoGoGrandparent, which provide transportation, grocery and prescription delivery and more.
- In addition to the earlier mentioned free/reduced-cost public transportation, Cradduck adds that some insurance companies may also offer transportation services or reimbursement for those costs.
Technology services
Having a solid handle on how to navigate technology can open a whole world up to people, but being on the flipside can also be incredibly frustrating. Cradduck suggests imagining someone who has a cognitive impairment attempting to navigate two-way authentications and password requirements “just to pay a bill, watch a movie on Netflix, book a doctor’s appointment or see lab results.” The quickly changing world of tech can leave people behind, but there are also resources specifically to help seniors navigate this new landscape.
- The Smarter Service: This tech concierge “empowers older adults to be able to feel really confident as they’re navigating the digital world,” says Will. The service can teach seniors how to use their devices, as well as how to text, email, use social media, decipher telehealth and more.
- ONSCREEN: A TV-based video calling service, ONSCREEN boasts a simple design that allows seniors to stay connected with family and other loved ones.
A note for family caregivers
Because the goal is to help seniors live independently, Will stresses the importance of including them in the conversations when making plans and asking questions like “what do they value about living on their own?” After all, “it comes down to ‘how do we encourage and empower that independence while also providing support and treating the loved ones in our lives like the adults that they are?’ They’ve lived full, wonderful lives. How can we set things in place so that they can have gas in the tank to do the things that they love?”
A final word on top resources for seniors to help them stay independent
The experts we spoke to agree that the biggest guarantee of success is to plan ahead. “An admission of needing assistance sooner versus later will actually keep you independent longer,” says Cradduck. She adds that by utilizing the available resources, such as hiring a care aide to assist with daily tasks, prepare meals and do wellness checks, seniors will have “gained much independence, by giving up very little.”
