Eighty-three percent of boomers want to age in place, but financial planners say almost nobody budgets for what it truly costs. The numbers surprise even high earners.
In-Home Care Adds Up Fast
Northwestern Mutual pegs 8 hours a day of in-home care at $105,120 a year in 2026 — the median; coastal cities run far higher. Planners say families budget for a few hours a week, then watch needs and bills climb together.
The House Itself Needs Money
Stairlifts run $2,000 to $5,000 installed; the National Association of Home Builders puts full accessible remodels well into five figures. Planners urge pricing modifications early — contractors charge premiums for rush jobs.
Unpaid Caregiving Has a Price
Family caregivers provide an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor yearly — a bill planners say lands on adult children via lost wages. AARP finds caregivers spend thousands out of pocket yearly. Name a backup caregiver early, experts say, before crisis decisions in hospital hallways.
What Planners Recommend Reviewing
Certified planners suggest pricing long-term care insurance in your 50s, when premiums are a fraction of age-65 costs. Tour local agencies now and keep rate sheets on file. The mantra: budget aging at home as a line item, not a hope.
Sources: Northwestern Mutual, National Association of Home Builders, AARP
