Background Most older Australians express a strong desire to “age at home,” yet many avoid preparing for future needs, exploring available options, or communicating their preferences with family. Research shows that limited planning leads to reduced autonomy and increased vulnerability when health or circumstances change (AIHW, 2023; Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, 2021). Although ageing at home is often associated with independence and control, what individuals actually mean by it is rarely articulated. Study set-up This study examines how older people imagine, interpret, and act on the idea of ageing at home – based on their current lived experience of ageing. Using co-design workshops and in-depth interviews with older adults and family members, we explored the mental models, heuristics, and practices shaping their ageing decisions. The study was purposefully designed to surface, test, and expand participants’ initial assumptions about ageing in place. Results Findings reveal that visions of ageing at home are diverse and multi-dimensional. They vary depending on life stage, resources, health, and personal circumstances. Key components include the physical home environment, care and health needs, social connection, psychological wellbeing, finances, and accessibility—consistent with broader ageing literature (Wiles et al., 2012). Community networks, supportive families, technology-enabled solutions, and formal programs were identified as critical enablers. Discussion These insights inform decision-making at micro (older person/family), meso (community and service organisations), and macro (government and policy) levels. Understanding how people conceptualise ageing at home is essential for designing supports that genuinely enhance autonomy, wellbeing, and quality of life across later years.