Designing for Aging in Place: Rethinking Care for an Aging World
- Dr. Saman Jamshidi
- Oct 9
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 9
People around the world are living longer than ever before. By 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2004). This demographic transformation reflects progress in medicine, sanitation, and living standards, but it also poses new challenges. Longer lives bring with them the need to manage the complex realities of aging—how to stay healthy, connected, and independent in later years.
Longevity is a triumph of development, yet it is also reshaping how societies think about care. Extending life without ensuring well-being risks creating decades of dependency. The question, then, is not only how long we live but how well we live as we age.
Aging and Chronic Disease
Aging bodies are more vulnerable to chronic disease. Research shows that older adults experience higher rates of ischemic heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, sensory impairments, and dementia. Many live with several of these conditions at once, a situation known as multimorbidity, which limits movement, cognition, and quality of life.
These are not short-term ailments. They require continuous management rather than one-time treatment. As the World Health Organization explains, healthy aging depends on maintaining “functional ability”—the capacity to do what one values in life despite illness. This shift demands care systems that focus on daily living and long-term support rather than acute intervention.
The onset of chronic disease transforms daily existence. Tasks that were once simple—climbing stairs, cooking, bathing—can become difficult or impossible. Many older adults also face fatigue, pain, or memory loss. Over time, this physical decline can lead to emotional strain and social isolation.
For generations, hospitals were the default setting for treating illness. But hospitals are designed for acute care—treating immediate, short-term conditions like infections or injuries. Chronic diseases, by contrast, are long-term and require continuous management.
As more older adults live with chronic illness, hospitals face mounting pressure. Beds stay occupied longer, readmission rates climb, and staff spend more time on conditions that cannot be “cured.” The WHO warns that healthcare systems built for emergencies are not equipped to manage aging populations that need ongoing, community-based support.
To relieve hospital pressure, many societies turned to long-term care facilities and nursing homes. These institutions were intended to offer 24-hour care for people unable to live independently. While they serve an important purpose, they also have serious limitations.
Loss of independence and identity. Moving to a facility often means leaving behind one’s home, memories, and community. Institutional settings can be isolating, reducing autonomy and personal control.
High financial cost. Long-term care is expensive for families and governments alike. As the aging population grows, costs rise faster than public budgets.
Emotional separation. Facilities can distance older adults from family and culture, weakening intergenerational bonds and personal meaning.
These problems have led researchers, designers, and policymakers to search for alternatives that honor independence while ensuring safety and care. One answer is aging in place.
Aging in Place: A Better Way to Grow Old
Aging in place refers to the ability to live independently, safely, and comfortably in one’s own home and community for as long as possible. It shifts the focus from institutional treatment to environments that support everyday living.
This approach is not just about remaining in the same house. It means adapting homes, neighborhoods, and services to match changing needs. It combines healthcare, architecture, and community planning into a single, sustainable system. Aging in place can have so many advantages, as explained below.
Emotional and psychological well-being. Staying in familiar surroundings helps preserve memory, confidence, and identity. People who age in place experience less anxiety and depression.
Reduced healthcare burden. Homes designed with safety in mind (e.g., step-free entries, grab bars, clear lighting) reduce falls and injuries, easing pressure on hospitals and emergency services.
Economic sustainability. Adapting homes and providing community-based services costs less than full-time institutional care. It also enables governments to redirect funds from hospital construction to preventive health and local support.
Stronger families and communities. Aging in place keeps older adults near family, friends, and neighbors.
Health-supportive design. Good design promotes independence. Features such as non-slip floors, lever handles, adjustable lighting, and nearby public spaces create environments that encourage movement and participation. These simple interventions transform housing into a lifelong support system.
Major Research Areas on Aging in Place Literature
In our bibliometric analysis of the research on aging in place (Jamshidi & Hashemi, 2024), we identify five major research-area clusters. We label these clusters based on their dominant keywords as follows: (1) aging-in-place facilitators, (2) age-friendly communities, (3) housing, (4) assistive technologies, and (5) mental health.
1. Aging-in-Place Facilitators
Research shows that successful aging in place depends on a set of enabling factors—conditions that make it easier for older adults to live independently and safely at home. These include access to home modifications, supportive technologies, informal and home-based care, and resources that address age-related challenges such as dementia, disability, and fall risk. Together, these facilitators create the foundation for independence, allowing older adults to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving the support they need.
2. Age-Friendly Communities
A second key area centers on age-friendly communities—places designed to foster inclusion, connection, and well-being. Studies highlight the importance of concepts like place attachment, sense of belonging, and social support in promoting a positive aging experience. In these environments, older adults are encouraged to stay active and engaged, leading to healthier lifestyles and greater life satisfaction. The idea is simple but powerful: when cities and neighborhoods are designed for all ages, everyone benefits.
3. Housing
Housing remains one of the most discussed topics in aging-in-place research. Beyond the structure of the home itself, housing encompasses where people live and how those spaces affect their physical and mental health. Two main themes emerge here: the experience of relocation, including the social and emotional effects of moving, and the influence of housing conditions on health outcomes. Safe, adaptable, and affordable housing not only supports physical independence but also contributes to mental stability and overall well-being.
4. Assistive Technologies
Technology continues to redefine what aging in place can look like. Smart home systems, wearable sensors, and assistive devices—collectively known as gerontechnology—are helping older adults monitor their health, navigate daily routines, and stay connected to caregivers. Concepts like ambient assisted living and the Internet of Things (IoT) are making it possible to transform ordinary homes into responsive environments. However, the research also highlights a challenge: despite the promise of these tools, many older adults are hesitant to adopt them. Building trust, improving accessibility, and designing with empathy will be key to overcoming this gap.
5. Mental Health
Finally, mental health forms an essential pillar of aging in place. As people grow older, risks such as loneliness, isolation, and depression can significantly impact quality of life. Initiatives that encourage social interaction, peer support, and community engagement can safeguard mental well-being, ensuring that older adults feel valued and emotionally secure as they age.
Conclusion
Aging in place depends not only on policy and care but on thoughtful design. Designers have the unique power to shape environments that support independence, safety, and dignity. Through accessible homes, inclusive public spaces, and adaptable products, they translate social goals into everyday experiences.
By embracing universal design principles, designers can create places that serve all ages and abilities. Ultimately, aging in place is a design challenge as much as a social one, and through human-centered design, we can build communities where growing old means continuing to live well.
Curious about the key studies shaping this field and how research on aging in place has evolved over time?
Explore our paper here to discover the central works and trends defining the future of age-friendly design.
References
Jamshidi, S., & Hashemi, S. (2024). The scientific landscape of the aging-in-place literature: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Ageing and Longevity, 4(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/jal4040030
US Census Bureau. (2004). 2004 Interim National Population Projections. Census.Gov. https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2004/demo/popproj/2004-detailed-data.html
World Health Organization (Ed.). (2015). World report on ageing and health 2015. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565042
