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October 19, 2022
Aging in place is becoming increasingly common, but there are difficulties that arise with it. According to AARP, 77 percent of adults ages 50 and above want to remain in their homes long-term. Aging in place comes with its own array of challenges, but it can be done!
Along with home modifications and part-time caregivers — both of which can be costly — there is a variety of programs that offer free or low-cost services to seniors that can help you create a plan to stay in your home. Below are some of our favorites.
If you have poor health or live in an elderly community, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) can provide you with complete medical and social services.
Through this program, you won’t have to go to a nursing home to receive care. Instead care will be coordinated in the PACE community. You’ll also have a comprehensive service package.
You may be eligible if you:
PACE is a Medicare program, which means states can choose to provide PACE services to Medicaid beneficiaries as an optional Medicaid benefit. Most importantly, if you’re a PACE participant, PACE will be your only source of Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Because financing is capped, you’ll be able to receive all needed services instead of those that are only reimbursable under Medicare and Medicaid fee-for-service plans.
Pro Tip: To learn more about Medicaid, read our guide: Medicare vs. Medicaid.
Papa is a mobile service that connects you and your family to caregivers who can help with everyday tasks such as housework and transportation, as well as provide company. Known as the Uber of caregiving, Papa allows you to schedule visits whenever you like, pulling from its teams of trained “pals.”
Contact your health plan or Medicare Advantage provider to find out if you’re eligible for Papa’s services, since the company is currently available only to people on certain plans. The upside is that Papa services are totally free to users.
To learn more about Papa, read our guide to Papa Pals.
Assisting over 5,000 community-based programs across the U.S., Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to seniors at their houses, senior centers, or community facilities. To use the service, see if your area of residence offers it by using the website’s search tool.
In addition to food delivery, Meals on Wheels is great for socialization and companionship since you’ll be greeted by a volunteer or staff member every day. You’ll also receive a precautionary safety check during each meal delivery, so medics can be called if needed.
Some Meals on Wheels programs offer additional services that may include:
Eligibility varies by state and usually depends on your age, although programs generally serve people ages 60 and over. Meals are delivered along a sliding fee scale, from no cost to full price. You won’t be denied a meal if you can’t pay, but you may be asked to donate toward the cost of a meal.
There are areas in the U.S. that exceed the available resources needed to provide meals, so Meals on Wheels may have a waiting list or you may be turned away in those areas.
Home care agencies are another great resource that provides services in your home or place of residence. The services may be either skilled or nonskilled, and they often include skilled nursing care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and assistance with activities of daily living.
Many home care agencies require you to have a physician’s note, and services are often paid for by Medicare or other medical insurance.
To learn more about our favorite home care agencies, check out our helpful guides.
Elder Helpers is a web-based platform through which you can receive assistance for services such as transportation and grocery shopping, as well as with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and gardening.
To see if you’re eligible, search your ZIP code. All volunteers are screened via a phone interview and background check.
Keep in mind, however, that Elder Helpers does not provide the level of care offered by home care agencies. Elder Helpers are limited to keeping you company and helping with light household tasks.
This federal program can help lower your monthly phone and internet bills. Simply apply to confirm your eligibility, either online, via mail, or through a phone or internet company. Once you qualify, you’ll be able to choose a phone or internet company in your area that participates in Lifeline.
Every year the United States Administrative Company will confirm you still qualify. If you do, you can recertify — but you have only 60 days before you’ll lose Lifeline.
You can change your phone or internet company at any time. Lifeline provides a $9.25 monthly discount. If you reside on tribal lands, you will receive an enhanced discount of up to $34.25 per month.
Did You Know: To learn more about saving on internet and phone, check out our rundown of the best senior phone plans and best internet for seniors.
The Hearing Aid Project provides hearing aids or refurbished them if you already have a pair. To qualify, you must:
Applying is easy: Simply submit the documents listed here by mail. The Hearing Aid Project also performs hearing health evaluations.
You can also check out our list of the best affordable hearing aids.
When aging in place, it’s important to plan properly. You and your loved one or caregiver should research possible in-home care services such as home care agencies that meet your medical needs.
