Helping a parent stay home safely: a step-by-step guide for families
Helping a Parent Age in Place: Step-by-Step Guide for San Diego Families: what should San Diego readers know?
Most older adults want to stay in their own homes. Here's a calm, practical order of operations.
1. Talk first, with respect
Ask what's getting hard — the shower, the stairs, getting up at night. Let your parent lead; it's their home.
2. Walk the house with the checklist
Use our room-by-room checklist. Fix free things first: rugs, cords, lighting.
3. Ask a professional to assess
An occupational therapist (ask their doctor for a referral) can recommend exactly what's needed, which keeps you from overbuying.
4. Check funding before you spend
See funding help — VA grants and Medi-Cal programs can cover some work.
5. Get quotes the safe way
Check the license, keep deposits within the legal cap, and remember the 5-day cancel right for 65+ (how to choose). Compare against our cost guide.
6. Bigger moves: stairlift, bedroom downstairs, or an ADU
Sometimes moving the bedroom downstairs beats a stairlift; sometimes a backyard ADU near family is the long-term answer. Decide on the real home, not a brochure.
7. Revisit every year
Needs change. Walk the checklist again each year.