Planners and Procrastinators: Two Faces of Aging in Place

Most people don’t plan to age in their home—they simply wake up one day realizing they already are. The years go by, routines settle in, and before we know it, the house that once fit every season of life starts to feel a little less comfortable, a little less safe.

At Servants, we see this story every day—not just with homeowners facing urgent repair needs, but with those who are still doing fine right now. These are the folks we call the “Maturing in Place” group—homeowners who have no major health or mobility concerns yet but want (or need) to think about the future.

The challenge? Many don’t feel any urgency to act. And that’s where two very different types of homeowners emerge: The Planners and The Procrastinators.

The Planners: Preparing for Tomorrow, Today

Planners are proactive. They understand that a safe home is a wise investment—not just for comfort, but for independence. They’re the ones who say,

“We’re remodeling the bathroom anyway, so why not make it accessible for later?”

They research universal design, install curbless showers, add better lighting, or move the laundry to the main floor.

To them, it’s not about aging—it’s about staying in control of where and how they live.

They value preparation over reaction, and they see the wisdom in acting before a crisis forces their hand. For them, aging in place is about freedom, dignity, and peace of mind.

The Procrastinators: Waiting Until “Someday”

Then there are the Procrastinators. They love their homes and fully intend to stay put, but they don’t feel ready to make changes.

They say things like,

“I’m fine for now. I’ll think about it when I really need to.”

They might view accessibility upgrades as unnecessary or unattractive. They might not realize how quickly “fine” can turn into “can’t.”

Most often, they wait until after a fall, an illness, or a close call. Suddenly, there’s a rush to make changes that could have been done gradually—and at a lower cost—years earlier.

It’s not stubbornness—it’s human nature. We all resist planning for uncomfortable possibilities. But procrastination turns preparation into a crisis.

Why This Matters

In home repair and aging-in-place work, the Planners and Procrastinators represent one of the most important—and overlooked—groups of homeowners.

They aren’t in crisis. They don’t fit into trauma or progressive health categories. But they’re quietly aging in homes that may soon work against them instead of for them.*

By starting small—adding grab bars, fixing steps, improving lighting, or creating safer bathrooms—homeowners can prevent falls, preserve independence, and avoid the emotional and financial strain that comes with waiting too long.

For every homeowner who plans ahead, there’s one who wishes they had.