Aging in Place

1. Care

Who helps with bathing, meals, medicine, or just checking in?

Family / neighbor schedule
Paid aide or home health
Adult day program

Find home care by ZIP

2. Transport

How do they get to the doctor, pharmacy, grocery, and church?

Family driver calendar
Senior ride / transit
VA travel if they’re a veteran

Rides & transportation

3. The house

Can they move through this home without a fall?

Bathroom and stairs first
Lighting and clutter
When a ramp or remodel is needed

Home-mod checklist

4. Money

What can Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or local programs pay for?

Medicare home health (when ordered)
Medicaid waiver / in-home help
Utility and food help

Benefits

5. Backup person

Who gets the 2 a.m. call? Who has extra keys?

One primary + one backup
Doctor, pharmacy, and med list
Print the fridge sheet

Print fridge sheet

Bathroom

Grab bars by toilet and in shower (installed into studs, not towel bars) Non-slip mat or strips in tub/shower Shower chair or transfer bench Raised toilet seat or commode if needed Handheld shower head Night light that stays on

Stairs, floors & lighting

Solid handrails on both sides of stairs Contrast tape or paint on step edges No loose rugs (or they are taped/gripped) Clear walking paths — no cords or piles Bright bulbs in hall, kitchen, and entry Light switches at both ends of halls

Getting in and around

Zero-step entry or a safe ramp Sturdy rail at the front steps Lever door handles (easier than knobs) Bedroom and bathroom on the same floor if stairs are hard Chair with arms (easier to stand) Phone or medical alert within reach of the floor

Kitchen & daily living

Everyday dishes on middle shelves Step stool is sturdy — or not used at all Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors tested Medications in one labeled spot Emergency numbers on the fridge

Before the visit

Write the date, time, doctor, and address
Book the ride the same day you book the appointment
List medications to bring
Plan extra time for parking and walking

Who can drive

Family calendar (same person each week if possible)
Senior center or Area Agency on Aging rides
Medicaid or Medicare Advantage ride benefit
GoGoGrandparent or similar if they don’t use an app
VA travel for veterans

Open rides page

After the visit

New medicines? Update the fridge list
Follow-up date — book the next ride now
Home care order? Start at the ZIP finder
Need food or pharmacy delivery that week?

Medications

Home health (skilled)

Nurse, therapist, or aide after a doctor order — often Medicare-covered for a limited time.

Search by ZIP

Personal care / companion

Bathing, dressing, meals, laundry, company. Usually private pay or Medicaid waiver — not regular Medicare.

State aging office

Meals, meds, groceries

Meals on Wheels, pantry, pharmacy delivery, grocery drop-off so they don’t have to drive.

Food & delivery

Safety check

Medical alert, neighbor check-in, or a local security company if that gives the family peace of mind.

Emergency setup

Local aging help

1-800-677-1116

Eldercare Locator — they connect you to the Area Agency on Aging for your ZIP.

211

Dial 211

Rides, food, utility help, and caregiver programs in your county.

Medicare

1-800-633-4227

Home health coverage questions and official plan help.

Adult Protective Services

If you worry about neglect, exploitation, or someone unsafe at home. Find the number on your state page.

Share the load

One person as “quarterback,” others take rides, meals, or Sunday check-ins. Write it down so it isn’t all in someone’s head.

Caregiver page

Talk about the house

If the home can’t be made safe, look at one-floor living, a family move-in, or senior housing — before a crisis forces it.

Housing

Ask for extra help

Use chat if you want a calm walk-through of the next step. Resources on this site stay available either way.

Open Chat

Need a real person today?

The 5-decision stay-home plan