Aging in Place in Your 50s: What to Think About Now
Your 50s are a practical window for aging-in-place planning. Retirement is coming into view, your parents may need help, and you’re still likely to be healthy enough to have the most options for funding care. It’s a good decade to get real numbers and make decisions, not just think about them.
What’s different about your 50s?
Retirement stops being abstract. Many people are also helping a parent for the first time, which makes the questions about their own future feel more concrete.
What would care actually cost you?
At national median rates, close to full-time help at home runs about $6,700 a month. (CareScout) Costs vary by location. See How Much Does Long-Term Care Cost?, or get started to see what care costs and how to fund it.
Should you look at long-term care insurance now?
Your premium is based on your age when you apply. Your eligibility is based on your health when you apply. In your 50s, both tend to work in your favor. If you’re married or partnered, the coverage we offer includes joint coverage with a shared benefit pool. See Long-Term Care Insurance for Couples.
Is this the house?
Decide whether your current home is where you want to age. If it is, renovations are often easier to plan and pay for now. See Making Your Home Age-Ready, Room by Room.
Are you helping a parent right now?
Have you talked with your own family?
The people who would help you someday should know what you want. Staying Power’s “Talking With Your Family” guide can help you start.
A short checklist for your 50s
Get a real cost-of-care number for where you live
Look at long-term care insurance while you’re healthy
Decide whether your home will work long term
Tell your family what you want
Frequently asked questions
Is your 50s too late to buy long-term care insurance?
No. Many people look at coverage in their 50s, while they’re still likely to qualify.
How much coverage do I need?
It depends on care costs where you live, how long care might last, and your other assets. A licensed agent can model options for your situation.
