The Surprising Costs of Living at Home
Learn about the price of aging at home, from home maintenance costs and monthly expenses to making the house safer and age-appropriate.
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If you want to stay in your current house as you age, you’re not alone. According to AARP, more than 80% of people over age 65 want to age in place. But what does it cost to do that? More than you think.
Costs of Staying in Your House
Even if you’ve paid off your mortgage, there are still plenty of monthly expenses to add up, as well as the cost of maintenance and repairs to keep the house safe. Annual average home maintenance costs are 1% – 3% of the initial house price. So, owners of a $200,000 house can expect to pay between $2,000 and $6,000 per year for upkeep and replacements.
And while it’s understandable to want to stay in familiar surroundings, only about 1% of homes are actually suitable for older adults. That means 99% could become difficult to navigate and pose safety risks for their inhabitants. Staying in your house likely means making modifications and additions that can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
If you’re considering staying in your house as a senior living option, it’s important to get a clear picture of how much it will cost you to do so. Use this worksheet to figure out monthly expenses, note which major improvements or repairs need to be done, and get an idea of how much age-related home modifications may cost.
Where You Live Matters is powered by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), a respected voice in the senior housing industry. ASHA primarily focuses on legislative and regulatory advocacy, research, and educational opportunities and networking for senior living executives, so they can better understand the needs of older adults across the country.
Sources:
HomeLogic.com
Forbes.com