What families miss when planning for aging in place

For Dr. Anthony Zizza, the question of whether older adults can remain in their homes isn’t just about housing — it’s about healthcare, planning and coordination. As chief medical officer at Element Care, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and managed care provider for Senior Care Options, Zizza has spent more than a decade serving seniors in New England.A Harvard-trained leader in geriatric medicine, he believes families too often make decisions about assisted living or nursing homes after a fall or hospitalization, when everyone is under pressure. Instead, he wants them to plan earlier.Zizza sat down with HousingWire to discuss how PACE helps older adults age in place, and what homeowners should look for today to make their homes safer and more.Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Jonathan Delozier: How is the growing demand for aging-in-place services changing the way we think about housing for older adults — and how can PACE help address the challenges retirees face in remaining safely at home? Dr. Anthony Zizza: I think the growing demand for aging in place is making us look at housing beyond the home itself. We have to cons...