Aging in Place: The Gap Between Wanting Independence and Planning for Care

Most people want to remain independent as they age. They may picture staying in their own homes, relying on family when needed, and maintaining control over their daily lives. But what happens when that future requires more help than expected?

A recent survey highlights a gap between what people expect as they grow older and what they have done to prepare. The findings offer a useful perspective on family caregiving, conversations about future care, and the importance of understanding what matters most to patients and those who support them.

What the Survey Reveals About Aging and Independence

According to the Stacker article published by KEYT, Aging and independence: Survey highlights the gap between knowing and doing, a survey of 1,004 U.S. adults ages 40 to 80 found that only 11% had made specific or complete plans for a time when they might need consistent help with daily life.

Other findings are equally revealing. Nearly 60% of respondents viewed their current home as definitely or possibly their forever home, yet only 18% had discussed potential home modifications to support aging in place. More than half expected family members, friends, or others to provide most or all of the help they might eventually need. Meanwhile, many respondents were uncertain whether they could afford professional care for as long as they might need it.

The survey was commissioned by A Place for Mom and conducted by Morning Light Strategy in June 2026. It examined the expectations and preparedness of adults who had not yet entered the professional senior care system.

These findings do not mean that people are unwilling to plan. They suggest that recognizing the possibility of needing help and making concrete arrangements for that help are two very different things.

The Role of Hospice Social Workers: Helping Families Have Difficult Conversations

For hospice social workers, the findings reinforce the importance of understanding the personal and family circumstances surrounding care.

People may have strong preferences about where they want to live, who they want involved in their care, and how much assistance they are willing to accept. They may also assume that a spouse, adult child, or another family member will be available to help. Those expectations can become difficult to reconcile with the realities of caregiving, including work responsibilities, distance, financial limitations, and the physical and emotional demands of providing care.

A conversation about care needs is not simply a matter of identifying available services. It also involves understanding what independence means to the individual, what the family can realistically manage, and where expectations may differ.

These discussions are particularly important when families are navigating a serious illness. Decisions that once seemed distant may suddenly become urgent, leaving less time to explore options, clarify preferences, or prepare family caregivers.

Hospice social workers are well positioned to help patients and families communicate their concerns, identify available resources, understand practical limitations, and navigate changes in family roles. The goal is not to dictate what a family should do, but to help them make informed decisions that reflect the patient's wishes and circumstances.

What Hospice Administrators Should Consider

For hospice administrators, this survey also raises questions about how organizations prepare their teams to address the broader circumstances affecting patients and caregivers.

Clinical care is essential, but patients and families do not experience illness in isolation. Their circumstances may include limited caregiver availability, financial concerns, housing challenges, transportation difficulties, and uncertainty about what support will be available as needs change.

These factors can influence whether a care plan is realistic and sustainable.

Administrators can consider whether staff education addresses the practical and social challenges families face, whether teams have a clear understanding of available community resources, and whether information about caregiver concerns is communicated effectively across the interdisciplinary team.

This is also an opportunity to examine how the organization supports its social workers and other team members. Staff need time, appropriate resources, and clear processes to address complex family situations. Recognizing a problem is only the first step; the organization must also be equipped to respond.

The survey is not a study of hospice patients or hospice outcomes and the findings should not be interpreted as evidence that hospice organizations are failing to prepare families. Rather, it provides a broader view of the expectations and uncertainties that may shape how people approach aging, caregiving, and serious illness.

What the Findings Mean for Hospice Marketing

The survey also offers a useful perspective for hospice marketers and community outreach teams.

People may understand that they will eventually need help, yet avoid making plans because the need feels far away, the cost seems overwhelming, or accepting assistance feels like a loss of independence. Family members may share these concerns even when they recognize that additional support could become necessary.

Educational outreach can help address these concerns without relying on fear or pressure.

Hospice organizations can use community education, caregiver programs, advance care planning discussions, and other outreach opportunities to encourage people to talk about their preferences and understand the resources available to them. Clear, accessible information can help families become more comfortable asking questions before circumstances become urgent.

It is equally important to communicate that accepting help does not necessarily mean surrendering independence. For many people, appropriate support is what makes it possible to remain at home, maintain familiar routines, and preserve meaningful relationships.

For hospice providers, this approach is consistent with a broader message: care should recognize the person, the family, and the circumstances in which care takes place.

Moving From Awareness to Action

The survey's central finding is relevant well beyond aging in place. People can understand a future challenge without being ready to address it. They may have good intentions, but uncertainty, cost, family dynamics, and the belief that there is still plenty of time can delay planning.

Hospice professionals encounter these realities in different ways. Social workers help families navigate difficult decisions. Administrators build the systems and support that allow teams to respond effectively. Marketers and educators help communities understand care options and overcome misconceptions.

Each role can contribute to more informed conversations about aging, caregiving, and future care needs.

Planning cannot eliminate every uncertainty, and not every situation can be anticipated. But earlier conversations can give individuals and families more opportunities to clarify preferences, understand their options, and make decisions before circumstances leave them with fewer choices.

For hospice organizations, the opportunity is to help make those conversations easier to begin—and to ensure that when families need support, they have access to people and resources that can help them navigate what comes next.