More seniors struggle to age in place as support gaps widen

Nine in 10 U.S. seniors report at least one barrier that affects their health, independence or access to care, with aging-in-place challenges, support gaps and medical debt all worsening in 2026, according to Alignment Health’s fifth annual Social Threats to Aging Well in America survey conducted with Ipsos. The nationwide study, which polled more than 2,200 adults ages 65 and older, underscores growing pressure on systems that support older Americans as they try to remain at home and manage rising health and living costs, Alignment Health said in its announcement. For housing and healthcare stakeholders, the findings point to increasing demand for services that enable seniors to safely age in place, from home modifications and transportation to food support and telehealth, along with rising risk that financial strain and limited support networks will push more seniors into institutional care or housing instability. Key findings For the third consecutive year, seniors identified aging-in-place challenges, healthcare access and economic instability as the three greatest threats to healthy aging. Ninety percent reported at least one social barrier affecting their health, well-being o...