Feature Story
Out of Reach: Accessible, Affordable Aging in Place Remains Elusive
By Elizabeth S. Goar
Three-quarters of Americans age 50 and older, and 85% age 65 and older, want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. The harsh reality is that, for most, their desire to age in place will be stymied by the triple barriers of housing readiness, affordability, and an insufficient workforce.1
The looming “gray tsunami” of aging Baby Boomers will see the nation’s 65+ age group climb to more than 82 million by 2050—a 47% increase over 2023—and those 85 and up will reach nearly 17.5 million.2 It will create a demand for aging-in-place services that the already-struggling long-term services and support (LTSS) industry is ill-equipped to manage.
“I work with seniors on affording long term care, so LTSS is an issue I see up close every day. The biggest problem is that there are nowhere near enough LTSS workers, so many seniors just aren't getting the help they need,” says Yehuda Tropper, CEO at Beca Life Settlements. “Aging in place isn't just about medical care; it's about taking showers and brushing your teeth. Without filling that gap, the horror images people have in mind when they think of a nursing home will just happen to seniors at home instead.”
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