An illustrative home interior with a supportive armchair, reading lamp, and open walking space.

Villy Safe Home · Living well at home

Aging in place

A home that supports your life, as your needs change.

What does aging in place mean?

Aging in place means staying in your own home as you grow older. It can involve changes to your home, help with everyday tasks, and support from family, neighbors, or care professionals.[1]

It is about choice and everyday independence—not doing everything alone. Familiar surroundings and community connections can be important reasons to stay. Planning ahead helps you think through what you may need before a change becomes urgent.

Staying home is not the right answer for everyone. A different home or a setting with more support may be a better fit. The goal is a living situation that works for the person, not a perfect score.

The U.S. picture

Why planning matters

75%
of adults 50+ want to stay in their home as long as possible.[2]

AARP, 2024. A stated preference—not how many successfully stay.

27.6%
of U.S. adults 65+ reported a fall in the previous year in 2020.[3]

CDC, published 2023. Falls in all locations, not just at home.

61.2 million
U.S. residents were 65+ in 2024—18% of the population.[4]

Census Bureau, published 2025.

Home safety for older adults

Home modifications for aging in place can start small. Consider these areas with the person who lives there, and ask a qualified professional about structural or safety-critical changes.[1]

  • Lighting and clear walkways

    Look at the route from the bed to the bathroom, reachable lights, loose rugs, and clutter.

  • Bathroom support

    Consider properly installed grab bars, slip-resistant surfaces, and getting in and out of the shower.

  • Stairs and entrances

    Check secure handrails, changes in level, entry steps, and whether essential rooms are easy to reach.

  • Everyday accessibility

    Think about door handles, reachable storage, seating that is easy to rise from, and space for mobility aids.

  • Care and community support

    Plan for meals, transport, personal care, social connection, and who to contact when help is needed.

Fall prevention goes beyond the home

A home checklist is only part of planning for independent living. Balance, health conditions, medicines, and vision can also affect fall risk. Discuss these with a healthcare professional; a home score does not assess them.[3]

Where your aging-in-place score fits

Villy Safe Home’s aging in place readiness score focuses on checklist items related to everyday independence. The home safety score covers the full checklist. Both are weighted indicators based on your answers—not a medical assessment, a certification, or a prediction that someone can live alone safely.

Higher means fewer weighted concerns were flagged. Finish unanswered questions and review high-priority findings even if your score is high. Villy Safe Home has not been clinically validated to prevent falls.

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References

U.S. sources. Publication dates and data years are shown separately; these figures are not estimates for an individual home.

  1. [1] National Institute on Aging (NIH)

    Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home

    Consumer guidance

  2. [2] AARP

    2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey

    December 10, 2024 · survey conducted June–July 2024

  3. [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    Nonfatal and Fatal Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2020–2021

    September 1, 2023 · nonfatal falls data from 2020

  4. [4] U.S. Census Bureau

    Older Adults Outnumber Children in 11 States

    June 26, 2025 · population estimates as of July 1, 2024