
For many Americans, the dream of retirement includes staying in the comfort of their own home. Surveys consistently show that most older adults prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living or a nursing facility. While staying home can provide independence and emotional comfort, it often comes with financial surprises that many families don’t expect. In fact, the average monthly cost of home care services in the U.S. can exceed $5,000, depending on the level of assistance needed. That said, here are seven hidden costs of aging in place and how you can best plan for them.