by Noelle Buhidar, The RetailMeNot Insider
It goes without saying that as we age, our needs change. Suddenly, it’s not so simple to reach up and grab that book from the top shelf, and even the once mundane task of showering is a difficult and dangerous chore. But leaving home for a nursing facility takes its toll, both emotionally and financially.
The average annual cost of nursing home care in 2011 was $86,040. Hiring in-home assistance is cheaper—but still not ideal—with annual fees averaging $38,000. But is it possible for seniors to maintain independence without completely surrendering themselves to someone else’s care? Yes. It just takes some determination and room-by-room modifications.
Statistics show that most people would do almost anything reasonable to avoid moving from the comfort of their home yet in many cases their homes are not adapted to accommodate their current and changing needs. The question arises as to what is necessary and the associated costs to make the modifications to enable an individual to continue living safely and as independently as possible in their homes. 
