For seniors, one of the most difficult transitions can be from a home that they have lived in for years to a long-term care facility. Being away from familiar places, friends, and objects can speed up the rate of a degenerative condition, and put undue stress on a person's body and mind. As the health effects of the forced relocation of seniors become well-documented, an alternative to moving for care has arisen – that of “aging in place.” Many long-term health insurance plans now offer options for aging in place, and while these can affect their cost, their ultimate value may be well worth it.

According to the Journal of Housing for the Elderly, aging in place is defined as “not having to move from one's present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to changing needs,” and health insurance policies are now attempting to offer options to allow for this. The idea behind the aging in place model is to allow a senior to remain in their own residence as long as possible, and bring care services to them, rather than forcing them to move. Since some 70% of seniors spend the rest of their lives in the residence in which they had their 65th birthday, determining early on where that will be is essential. Not only does aging in place help to limit stress, but it preserves a feeling of comfort and security. No one wants to suffer through a chronic illness or recurring issue, and no one ever wants to do it public in a place that is unfamiliar and, in many ways, unpleasant.

Instead, aging in place options such as home care nurses, electronic treatment devices and the wiring of the home with call buttons and high-speed cable and telephone access have begun to replace traditional nursing home models. These new policies allow for a change in the level of care as a condition worsens or improves. For example, a nurse could begin by visiting only once a week, and help with physical therapy needs. As the condition becomes more serious, daily visits or a live-in caregiver could be arranged. It is important to note that in some cases, a doctor's approval may be needed for extra care options to be activated, typically based on the ability of the insured to perform simple tasks. The fewer tasks that can be accomplished, the greater the level of service will be required.

While premiums will often increase for this type of care, the long-term costs are typically offset when compared with the price of continual, largely unneeded care in a nursing home. Aging in place can allow comfort and cost to go hand in hand.