National Institute on Aging

There’s No Place Like Home—For Growing Old

Tips from the National Institute on Aging

These are common issues for older 

people. And, you may share the oftenheard wish—“I want to stay in my own 

home!” The good news is that with the 

right help you might be able to do 

just that.

As part of the Federal Government’s 

National Institutes of Health, the 

National Institute on Aging (NIA) 

funds and conducts research related to 

aging, including how older people can 

remain independent. This NIA tip sheet 

introduces you to the kinds of help that 

you might want to consider so you can 

continue to live on your own. Where 

possible, we give you suggestions for

free or low-cost help and include ways

to identify benefits that might be available 

to you. A list of groups to contact for 

“The stairs are getting so hard to climb.”

“Since my wife died, I just open a can of soup for dinner.”

“I’ve lived here 40 years. No other place will seem like home.”

more detailed information is included 

at the end of the tip sheet. You can share 

this tip sheet with others in your family, 

and you can use it to begin talking about

your needs—now and in the future.

What do I do first?

Planning ahead is hard because you never 

know how your needs might change. 

But, the first step is to think about the 

kinds of help you might want in the near 

future. Maybe you live alone, so there 

is no one living in your home who is 

available to help you. Maybe you don’t 

need help right now, but you live with 

a husband or wife who does. Everyone 

has a different situation, but one way to

begin planning is to look at any illnesses 

like diabetes or emphysema that you or

National Institutes of health

NIH...Turning Discovery into health

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
There’s no place like home—For growing old

2

your spouse might have. Talk to your

doctor about how these health problems

could make it hard for someone to get 

around or take care of him- or herself 

in the future. Help getting dressed in 

the morning, fixing a meal, or remembering to take medicine may be all you 

need to stay in your own home. 

What kinds of help can I get?

You can get almost any type of help you

want in your home—often for a cost.

How can I help my 

older relatives stay 

independent?

As they grow older, some people

start having trouble doing 

everyday activities like shopping,

cooking, and taking care of 

their home or themselves. Is 

this happening to any of your 

relatives—your parents or an 

aunt or uncle, for example? If 

so, talk to them about getting 

help. Maybe you can offer to 

get information for them. Think 

about what you and others in 

the family can do to help. Talk 

to your friends whose relatives 

may be facing the same kinds 

of problems. Ask about the 

solutions they found. Then let 

your relatives know what you

have learned. You might be 

able to help them develop 

a plan.

The following list includes some common

things people need. You can get more 

information on many of these services 

from your local Area Agency on Aging, 

local and State offices on aging or social 

services, tribal organization, or nearby 

senior center. 

Personal care. Is bathing, washing 

your hair, or dressing getting harder 

to do? Maybe a relative or friend could 

help. Or, you could hire a trained aide 

for a short time each day. 

Homemaking. Do you need help with

chores like housecleaning, yard work, 

grocery shopping, or laundry? Some 

grocery stores and drug stores will take 

your order over the phone and bring the

items to your home. There are cleaning 

services you can hire, or maybe someone 

you know has a housekeeper to suggest. 

Some housekeepers will help with laundry.

Some drycleaners will pick up and deliver 

your clothes.

Meals. Worried that you might not be 

eating nutritious meals or tired of eating

alone? Sometimes you could share cooking

with a friend or have a potluck dinner 

with a group of friends. Find out if meals

are served at a nearby senior center, 

church, or synagogue. Eating out may 

give you a chance to visit with others. Is 

it hard for you to get out? Ask someone 

to bring you a healthy meal a few times 

a week. Also, meal delivery programs 

bring hot meals into your home.

Money management. Do you worry

about paying bills late or not at all? Are 
3

Tips from the National Institute on AginG

health insurance claim forms confusing? 

Maybe you can get help with these tasks.

Ask a trusted relative to lend a hand. 

Volunteers, financial counselors, or

geriatric care managers can also help.

Just make sure you get the referral from

a trustworthy source, like your local Area

Agency on Aging. If you are familiar 

with computers, you could pay your bills

online. Check with someone at your bank

about this option. Some people have 

their regular bills, like utilities and rent 

or mortgage, paid automatically from 

their checking account. 

When you sign up for Federal benefits 

for the first time, you must choose either

electronic direct deposit to your bank or 

a special debit card. If you already get 

Federal benefit checks, by March 1, 2013,

you will also have to switch from paper 

Federal benefit checks to one of those 

options. Go to www.godirect.org, or call

1-800-333-1795 (toll-free). For Spanish, 

go to www.directoasucuenta.org. You can 

also stop by your bank, credit union, or 

Social Security Administration office 

to start the process. For toll-free TTY 

service, call 1-866-569-0447.

Be careful to avoid money scams. Never

give your Social Security number, credit

card account numbers, or bank account 

numbers to someone on the phone 

(unless you placed the call) or in response

to an email you receive on your computer. 

Always check all bills, including utility 

bills, for charges you do not recognize.

Even though you might not need it now,

think about giving someone you trust 

permission to discuss your bills with 

creditors or your Social Security or 

Medicare benefits with those agencies. 

Or, you could give overall permission 

to handle a variety of legal matters for 

you in the form of a durable power of 

attorney. “Durable” means the permission 

remains in effect if you cannot make 

decisions yourself, but you can change 

the power of attorney or cancel it at 

any time.

Health care. Do you forget to take your 

medicine? There are devices available 

to remind you when it is time for your 

next dose. Special pill boxes allow you

or someone else to set out your pills 

for an entire week. Have you just gotten

out of the hospital and still need nursing

care at home for a short time? The 

hospital discharge planner can help you

make arrangements, and Medicare might

pay for a home health aide to come to 

your home. 

If you can’t remember what the doctor 

told you to do, try to have someone go

to your doctor visits with you. Ask them

to write down everything you are supposed

to do, or if you are by yourself, ask 

the doctor to put all recommendations 

in writing.

Products to make life easier. Is it 

getting harder to turn a door knob or 

put on your socks? Devices are available 

to make daily activities easier. The 

Department of Education’s website, 

www.abledata.com, has information on 

more than 30,000 assistive-technology 

products designed to make it easier 
THERE’S NO PLACe LIKE HOME—FOR GROWING OLD

4

for people to do things for themselves. 

If you can’t use a computer, you can 

call 1-800-227-0216 (toll-free) to 

learn more.

Getting around—at home and 

in town. Are you having trouble 

walking? Perhaps a walker would help.

If you need more, think about getting 

an electric chair or scooter. These are 

sometimes covered by Medicare. Do 

you need someone to go with you to 

the doctor or shopping? Volunteer 

escort services may be available. If you

no longer drive a car, check if there are 

free or low-cost public transportation 

and taxis in your area. Maybe a relative, 

friend, or neighbor would take you 

along when they go on errands or do 

yours for you.

Activities and friends. Are you bored

staying at home? Your local senior center

offers a variety of activities. You might 

see friends there and meet new people 

too. Is it hard for you to leave your home?

Maybe you would enjoy visits from 

someone. Volunteers, called “Friendly 

Visitors,” “Senior Volunteers,” or “Senior 

Companions,” are sometimes available 

to stop by or call once a week. They can 

just keep you company, or you can talk 

about any problems you are having. Call 

your local Area Agency on Aging to see 

if they are available near you. 

Safety. Are you worried about crime in 

your neighborhood, physical abuse, or 

losing money as a result of a scam? Talk 

to the staff at your local Area Agency on 

Aging. Do you live alone, and are you 

afraid of becoming sick with no one 

around to help? You might want to get

an emergency alert system. You just 

push a special button that you wear, 

and emergency medical personnel are 

called. A monthly fee is charged.

Housing. Would a few changes make

your home easier and safer to live in?

Think about things like a ramp at the 

Be prepared for a 

medical emergency.

If you were to suddenly become 

sick and unable to speak for 

yourself, you probably would 

want someone who knows you

well to decide on your medical 

care. To make sure this happens,

think about giving someone 

you trust permission to discuss 

your health care with your 

doctor and make necessary 

decisions. One way to do this 

is through a durable power 

of attorney for health care. A 

durable power of attorney for 

health care allows you to name 

a health care proxy—someone 

to make health care decisions 

for you any time you can’t. This 

is part of an advance directive. 

Another part of an advance 

directive, called a living will, 

allows you to decide in advance 

how much or how little care 

you want near the end of life.
Tips from the National Institute on AginG

5

front door, grab bars in the tub or shower,

nonskid floors, more comfortable handles

on doors or faucets, and better insulation. 

Sound expensive? You might be able to

get help paying for these changes. Check

with your local or State Area Agency 

on Aging, State housing finance agency,

welfare department, community 

development groups, or the Federal 

Government (see the resources in For 

More Information).

Where can I look for help?

Here are some resources to start with:

People you know. Family, friends, and

neighbors are the biggest source of help 

for many older people. Talk with those 

close to you about the best way to get 

what you need. If you are physically able,

think about trading services with a friend 

or neighbor. One could do the grocery 

shopping, and the other could cook 

dinner, for example.

Community and local government

resources. Learn about the services 

found in your community. Healthcare 

providers and social workers may have 

suggestions. The local Area Agency on 

Aging, local and State offices on aging

or social services, and your tribal organization may have lists of services. Look 

in the phone book under “Government.”

If you belong to a religious group, talk to 

the clergy, or check with its local offices 

about any senior services they offer.

Geriatric care managers. These 

specially trained professionals can help 

find resources to make your daily life

easier. They will work with you to form

a long-term care plan and find the services

you need. They will charge for this help,

and their fees probably won’t be covered

by any insurance plan. Geriatric care 

managers can be very helpful when family 

members live far apart. If asked, they 

will check in with you from time to 

time to make sure your needs haven’t

changed. See the resources in For 

More Information.

Federal Government sources. There

are many resources from the Federal 

Government where you can start looking 

for information. Some are only available 

on the Internet. If you don’t have Internet

access, you might be able to use a computer

with Internet access in your local library 

or senior center. Perhaps your son or 

Care away from home 

Do you need care but live 

with someone who can’t stay 

with you during the day? For 

example, maybe they work. 

Adult day care outside the 

home is sometimes available 

for older people who need 

help caring for themselves. The 

day care center can pick you

up and bring you home. If your 

caretaker needs to get away 

overnight, there are places that 

will provide more extended 

temporary respite care.
There’s no place like home—For growing old

6

providers for them, you might be able 

to get more information about those 

sources from www.medicare.gov.

Medicare’s Home Health Compare

section, www.medicare.gov/HHCompare, 

can tell you more about some of the 

home healthcare providers in your State. 

You can also check on whether the 

people receiving care are satisfied. No 

computer? Just call 1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227/toll-free) and ask 

for the same information.

How much will this cost?

An important part of planning is thinking about how you are going to pay for

the help you need. Some things you want 

may cost a lot. Others may be free. Some 

might be covered by Medicare, private 

“Medigap” policies or other private health 

insurance, Medicaid, or long-term care 

insurance. Some may not. Check with 

6

daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, or 

a friend or neighbor could look on the 

Internet for you. 

You can get long-term care suggestions 

tailored to your own needs from the 

Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.

Clicking on “Long-Term Care Planning”

in the “Resource Locator” takes you to 

the “Long-Term Care Planning Tool.” 

Type in information about yourself 

(age, sex, and whether or not you are 

married), as well as your health problems

and other needs. Very quickly it will 

give the kind of help you should look for 

and general advice on how to find it and

how to pay for it. You do not have to 

identify yourself—not even your name 

or Social Security number. 

The National Library of Medicine’s web

site, www.medlineplus.gov, has a section

“Home Care Services” containing links 

to useful information. 

To search the National Institute on Aging’s 

(NIA) online list of health and aging

organizations, go to www.nia.nih.gov/health

or call NIA at 1-800-222-2225 (toll-free) 

for help finding the resource you need.

The NIA list has the names, addresses, 

phone numbers, and websites for 

more than 300 government agencies, 

professional associations, and public

and private groups that have information

or help for older people. 

Once you have decided on the services 

you need and have chosen some 

Eldercare Locator Program

Through the Eldercare Locator, 

the Administration on Aging 

provides information on many 

different services for older 

people. The Eldercare Locator 

can give you the number of 

your local Area Agency on 

Aging. To use this service call 

1-800-677-1116 (toll-free), 

or go to www.eldercare.gov

on the Internet.
7

your insurance provider(s). There is a

chance that paying for just a few services

out of pocket could cost less in the long 

run than moving into an independent 

living, assisted living, or long-term care 

facility. And you will have your wish of 

still living on your own. 

Once you have thought about which

services you need, you can find out about

Federal, State, and local government 

benefits at www.benefits.gov. If you can’t

get to a computer, call 1-800-FED-INFO 

(1-800-333-4636/toll-free) for the same 

kind of help.

Another website to search for benefits 

is www.benefitscheckup.org from the 

National Council on Aging. By typing 

in general information about yourself, 

you can see a list of possible benefits you 

might qualify for. You don’t have to give 

your name, address, or Social Security 

number in order to use this service.

Are you eligible for veterans benefits from 

the Department of Veterans Affairs? The

VA sometimes provides medical care 

in your home. In some areas they also 

offer homemaker/home health aide 

services, adult day health care, and 

hospice. You can learn more by going 

to www.va.gov, calling the VA Health 

Care Benefits number, 1-877-222-8387

(toll-free), or contacting the VA medical

center nearest you.

One family’s story

The house on Maple Street has been 

Ellen Pinkham’s home for more than 

45 years. It has changed over time—the 

twins’ bedroom is now Ellen’s sewing 

room. After Herb died, Ellen gave his 

mystery books to the local library. But

because staying on Maple Street is so 

important to Ellen, her family is making 

changes. They call her daily to touch base.

They added grab bars in the tub and by 

the toilet, got rid of those loose rugs in the 

hall, and put her doctor’s phone number 

on speed dial. A hot meal is delivered 

regularly, and Ellen’s granddaughter 

drives her to bingo and the grocery 

store. As they look to the future, Ellen’s 

family knows they can call the local Area

Agency on Aging if they need help finding 

home health aides or other assistance. It

looks like Ellen has a plan that is working.

She may be able to stay on Maple Street.

Tips from the National Institute on AginG
For More Information

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:

Administration on Aging

Washington, DC 20201

1-202-619-0724

www.aoa.gov

Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Benefits Administration

Veterans Health Administration

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20420

VA benefits: 

1-800-827-1000 (toll-free)

1-800-829-4833 (TDD/toll-free)

To speak with a healthcare 

benefits counselor: 

1-877-222-8387 (toll-free)

www.va.gov

Eldercare Locator

1-800-677-1116 (toll-free)

www.eldercare.gov

Federal and State Government 

Benefit Information

1-800-FED-INFO 

(1-800-333-4636/toll-free)

www.benefits.gov

Medicare

Centers for Medicare & 

Medicaid Services

7500 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

1-800-633-4227 (toll-free)

www.medicare.gov 

www.medicare.gov/HHCompare

USA.Gov for Seniors

www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml

HOUSING INFORMATION:

Department of Housing 

and Urban Development

451 Seventh Street, SW

Washington, DC 20410

1-202-708-1112

1-202-708-1455 (TTY)

www.hud.gov

Low-Income Home Energy 

Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

National Energy Assistance 

Referral Hotline (NEAR)

1-866-674-6327 (toll-free)

1-866-367-6228 (TTY/toll-free)

www.liheap.ncat.org/referral.htm

National Resource Center 

on Supportive Housing and 

Home Modification

3715 McClintock Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191

1-213-740-1364

www.homemods.org

Rebuilding Together

1899 L Street, NW

Suite 1000

Washington, DC 20036

1-800-473-4229 (toll-free)

www.rebuildingtogether.org

SERVICE PROVIDERS:

LeadingAge

2519 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20008-1520

1-202-783-2242

www.aahsa.org

National Adult Day Services 

Association

1421 East Broad Street

Suite 425

Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

1-877-745-1440 (toll-free)

www.nadsa.org

National Association of 

Professional Geriatric Care 

Managers

3275 West Ina Road

Suite 130

Tucson, AZ 85741-2198

1-520-881-8008

www.caremanager.org

For more information about 

health and aging, contact:

National Institute on Aging 

Information Center

P.O. Box 8057

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057

1-800-222-2225 (toll-free)

1-800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)

www.nia.nih.gov

www.nia.nih.gov/espanol

To order free publications (in English or Spanish) or sign up for regular email alerts, go to: 

www.nia.nih.gov/health

Visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov, a senior-friendly website from the National Institute on Aging and the 

National Library of Medicine. This website has health and wellness information for older adults. 

Special features make it simple to use. For example, you can click on a button to make the type larger.

JULY 2010

Reprinted March 2012