Avoid the Nursing Home: Transform your Home for Aging in Place

As we grow older, our homes—the places where we’ve built a lifetime of memories—become even more important. But when climbing stairs becomes a challenge, or mobility is reduced, you may start wondering: “Should I move to a senior care facility?”

Before you make that decision, consider another option: building a first-floor master suite addition to your home. It’s a solution that lets you stay in the place you love while creating a safer, more comfortable environment for your future.

There are several advantages of staying in your home and making the necessary construction improvements instead of moving to a nursing home. Let's analyze them:

1. The Comfort of Staying in Your Own Home

There’s no place like home. It’s where you have built your life, your family and best memories. It's where your pets live. You know every corner of your home, every neighbor, and every tree in the yard. Moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility means leaving behind not only your house and current life, but also the independence and freedom that come with it.

With a first-floor master suite, you can enjoy:

✅Full accessibility: No more climbing stairs to reach your bedroom or bathroom.

✅Convenience: A private bedroom, accessible bathroom, and even a sitting area all on the main floor.

✅ Peace of mind: A design customized to your needs, whether it’s wider doorways, walk-in showers, or space for future mobility aids.

✅ The Love of Your Pets: Your beloved pets can still live with you if you stay in your home. Most nursing homes don't allow seniors moving with their pets. This could be heart breaking for many who enjoy the company of their furry ones.

2. One-Time Investment vs. Ongoing Costs

Let’s talk about numbers. Building a first-floor master suite is a one-time expense that increases your home’s value and usability. Compare that to the $7,000–$10,000 per month many pay for nursing home care.

Here’s why the first-floor addition makes financial sense:

✅ You retain your equity. The money you invest stays in your home.

✅ Your home value increases. Future buyers will see the master suite as a big bonus.

✅ No monthly fees. Once it’s built, there’s no ongoing cost like there is with senior living facilities.

✅ Estate Building: All of your investment for the construction improvements can be bequeathed to your sons and daughters or other loved ones.

3. Designed for Your Future Needs

Imagine a space designed just for you—spacious enough for a wheelchair or walker, with grab bars in the bathroom, a step-free shower, anti-slip flooring, and no tripping hazards.

It’s not just about safety. It’s about comfort, privacy, and making your home work for you as your needs change.

• Grab Bar

• Adjustable Locking Shower Head & Hose

• Custom Niche

• Wall-Mounted Bench

• Two Flip-Down PT Rails

• Tall-Height Toilet

• Zero-Threshold Shower

• Anti-Slip Tile Flooring

• Roll Under Vanity

4. Stay Close to Family and Community

One of the hardest parts of moving to a nursing home is leaving your community. By staying put, you remain close to family, neighbors, and friends. Your grandkids can visit after school. Your out-of-state relatives can visit you and stay in your home for a few days. You can keep tending your garden or sitting on your porch watching familiar sunsets. You can keep managing your own schedule and independence.

5. The Added Bonus: Future Flexibility

Even if you don’t need it right now, the first-floor suite is a smart move:

✅ It can later serve as a guest room for visiting family.

✅ It’s perfect for a caregiver if you ever need one.

✅ And it makes your home attractive to future buyers who are also thinking ahead.

Real Life Story

Mary had lived in her home in Roswell for over 40 years. She raised her children there, planted her rose garden out back, and knew every creak in the stairs by heart. But at 72, climbing those stairs had become harder every day. Her children started urging her to consider assisted living.

But Mary wasn’t ready to leave her home—and she didn’t have to.

Instead, she chose to build a custom first-floor master suite addition. It gave her everything she needed: a spacious, accessible bedroom and bathroom, all just steps away from her kitchen and living room. Today, she enjoys morning coffee in her new sunlit sitting area, and the grandkids still visit every Sunday.

If Mary’s story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. As mobility becomes a challenge, many older homeowners feel torn between moving to a nursing home or staying put. But there’s a third option: building a first-floor master suite adapted to your needs.

Ready to Age in Place?

Your home has been your haven for years—why leave it now? A first-floor master suite addition lets you continue living life on your terms, safely and comfortably.

If you’re ready to explore how this could work for you, our team at Ace Home can help you design a space that’s beautiful, functional, and built to last.

Get your Free Consultation Today