For families.
A plan for staying home.
The home they know. The choices that are theirs. A clearer way to think through what comes next, together.
Start with a conversation about everyday life. Use the checklist to gather priorities, then compare home improvements with the support your parent may need.
Walk through together.
Notice what matters.
Ask what feels difficult and what your parent wants to keep. Select the items you’d like help with. These are discussion priorities, not a safety score or clinical assessment.
Adapted from CDC · Check for Safety and the NAHB · Aging-in-Place Checklist.
Our first two packages cost less than the national median for one month of assisted living.
Comparison of Dignity’s published package ranges with CareScout’s 2025 national median. Comfort & Independence pricing is under review.
A one-time home improvement project. A plan for what comes next.
If your parent is mostly independent, practical changes may help make daily life at home easier. Consider the project alongside the ongoing care, supervision and household costs they need.
Compare costs.
Then compare needs.
The care figures are U.S. national medians from the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey. Local prices and the level of care can differ.
Home improvements and care provide different things. A remodel does not replace personal care, supervision or nursing.
Full Accessibility is custom quoted and can cost more than a month of assisted living.
| Option | Cost & source |
|---|---|
| Assisted living community | $6,200 / month$74,400 / yearCareScout 2025 |
| Nursing home · semi-private room | $114,975 / yearCareScout 2025 |
| Nursing home · private room | $129,575 / yearCareScout 2025 |
| In-home non-medical caregiver 44 hours per week | $80,080 / yearCareScout 2025 · hours basis |
| Safe Start package | $1,000–$2,000One-time project priceDignity package pricing |
| Comfort & Independence package | $2,500–$4,500One-time project price · pricing under reviewDignity package pricing |
Staying home is not always less expensive.
In this comparison, an in-home non-medical caregiver for 44 hours a week costs more annually than the assisted-living median. CareScout 2025 Care, housing, utilities and maintenance all matter. Home modifications do not guarantee that a move can be delayed or avoided.
Why planning
is worth a conversation.
The numbers describe populations, not your parent’s individual circumstances. Use them as a reason to ask good questions—not to take away anyone’s choices.
Sources checked November 11, 2026. Historical figures are dated below.
- Start with everyday safety.
- More than 1 in 4 adults age 65+ report falling each year. CDC · Older Adult Fall Facts
- The trend deserves attention.
- Fall deaths among adults age 65+ increased 51% from 2015 to 2024. NSC · CDC data
Fall-related ER visits increased 38% from 2014 to 2023. NSC · CDC dataThese are increases in counts, over different periods—not changes in an individual’s risk. - A dated snapshot of the impact.
- In 2023, 41,400 adults age 65+ died from falls. CDC · 2023 mortality data
There were about 3.85 million fall-related ER visits in this age group that year. NSC · CDC WISQARS - Hip fractures can change daily life.
- Nearly 319,000 older adults are hospitalized for hip fractures each year. CDC
Falls cause 88% of hip-fracture ER visits and hospitalizations among older adults. CDC - Home remains the preference.
- 75% of adults age 50+ want to stay in their current home. AARP · 2024 survey
44% expect to move. AARP · 2024 surveyExpecting to move does not mean a move is inevitable or unwanted. - Trust matters as much as the work.
- 72% of adults age 50+ say trustworthy, affordable, high-quality contractors in their community are extremely or very important. AARP · 2024 survey, p. 27
Help with funding.
Start with eligibility.
The right question is what your parent’s program or policy will support.
These resources include national and Arizona programs. Eligibility, location, available funds and prior authorization matter. Confirm them before work begins.
Links do not imply approval, reimbursement, direct billing, a program partnership or that Dignity is an enrolled provider.
Veterans: VA HISA
Medically necessary home modifications may qualify for eligible Veterans and Servicemembers. Ask your VA care team about eligibility, required documentation and authorization before work begins. Not every ramp, lift or remodel item is covered.
VA · HISA programMedicare and Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare generally does not pay for home safety modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited benefits. Check your individual plan; home modifications and covered medical equipment are different categories.
AARP · Medicare coverage explainerArizona ALTCS
Some members may qualify for medically necessary modifications identified in their service plan. Work with the case manager on assessment, authorization and an eligible contractor. This does not establish Dignity’s AHCCCS provider enrollment.
AHCCCS · Policy 1240-I (PDF)City of Chandler
Repair and accessibility assistance may be available to qualifying homeowners. The disability home-modification program has its own eligibility requirements. Apply through the city’s program partner and confirm available funding.
City of Chandler · Housing rehabilitationMaricopa County
The county program may help eligible homeowners with urgent repairs and some minor accessibility modifications. City residents—including those in Chandler, Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe—may need a city program instead; county-island addresses are treated differently.
Maricopa County · Home improvement programsTrust should come
with something to check.
Before approving work, ask who is responsible and what is included.
For licensed work, verify the responsible contractor’s ROC license and scope. Ask for current proof of insurance, an itemized written quote and any relevant credentials.
Request real project photos and references. CAPS credentials, customer reviews and completed-job photos should be represented only when verified. Images labeled as illustrations are not customer projects.
Arizona ROC contractor searchA few clear priorities.
A more useful first conversation.
Bring your checklist to a free home assessment. We’ll help you understand the options and agree on the scope before any work begins.
Prepare for a free assessment Information for your care team