Most people want to stay in their own homes as they age. After all, it’s where they may have lived for decades, where they have fond memories, a place they have transformed to suit their tastes, and, if they own it, a big part of the legacy they hope to pass on to their families. They also, no doubt, have a community of friends and neighbors where they have lived for a long time.

But depending on where they live, their home may become increasingly isolated as they age. They may have to drive to go shopping and other errands, which at some point may be dangerous or impossible. Their friends and neighbors may move away or over time pass away, leaving seniors somewhat stranded in their communities. Children and other family members may not live close by. Maintaining a single-family home can become increasingly burdensome.

When and if seniors begin to receive care, rural and suburban locations can make its delivery more difficult. Family members or paid home health aides may have to travel long distances. Private home health agencies typically require that their aides be hired for four-hour minimum segments even if all the care recipient needs is an hour of assistance getting going in the morning and another hour getting ready for bed in the evening.

For all these reasons, “aging in place” may not be possible, or at least not advisable.

TAKE STOCK AT 75

Elder law attorney Rajiv Nagaich of Life Point Law, founder of Aging Options, argues that at age 75 everyone should take a close look at where they live and decide whether it’s time to make a change. At that age, you’re likely to be retired but still healthy and able to make any appropriate move. If you do decide to move to a new community, you’ll still be able to make new friends and connections. If you have children, they’re probably old enough to be settled themselves so you can determine where you could live that would make it easier for them to assist you if that becomes necessary.

The problem with waiting until after age 75 is that the likelihood of facing cognitive and physical challenges increases with age. At age 85 and beyond you will be much more likely to need assistance and no longer able to make a smooth transition.

THE SENIOR HOUSING CHALLENGE

But if you decide to move, where to? Many communities don’t offer good options for “downsizing.” Zoning laws often restrict the construction of apartment buildings. Developers seem to be building bigger and bigger homes.

It may make sense to move to a continuing care retirement community that provides independent living, but also assisted living and nursing home care in case the need arises. But these can be prohibitively expensive. The waiting lists for subsidized senior housing are years long. And many retirees fall in the middle with financial resources too great to qualify for low-income housing, but not enough to afford CCRC.

A NEW SENIOR LIVING MODEL

There’s a new senior living community in Newton, Massachusetts, that could be a model for similar communities around the nation. And “community” is the key word.

Opened in 2025, Opus Newton is designed for the missing middle, those seniors who cannot afford expensive continuing care retirement communities but have too much in savings or income to qualify for subsidized housing. As a result, it’s not as fancy as some CCRCs — on a recent visit I found the 174 one- and two-bedroom apartments a bit small — and its food service is not as extensive. But it offers more amenities and supports than typical low-income senior housing developments. These include an art studio and art classes, a gym, home health services, physical therapists, and doctors and nurses on site.

One of the key differences between Opus Newton and typical CCRCs is that the residents provide much of the programming themselves. All residents are required to volunteer for the community for at least 10 hours a month. They can act as maître D at meals, teach classes or give tours to prospective residents. How they contribute is decided by the residents themselves, not by management.

This keeps costs down since the community does not have to hire staff to provide these services. And it builds community as the residents work together and assist one another. As Derenda Schubert explained to me, in the Bridge Meadows communities she manages in Oregon the residents look out for one another, reducing the need for paid assistance.

In other words, community matters, whether you find it where you have always lived or by moving to a more suitable location.

Harry S. Margolis, an elder law attorney in Massachusetts, writes the Substack Risking Old Age in America.