Planning for Later Life: Housing Needs

Small changes to your home can make a big difference. Keeping walkways, such as hallways, landings, and stairs, clear and free of clutter means you’re able to easily move from room to room. This can also decrease your risk of trips and falls.

Another easy change is installing motion sensors on both internal and external lights, so they automatically come on and off. There are companies that can do this for you, or family and friends may be able to help. When it comes to lighting, swapping to touch lamps or using automatic timers for lights can make a big difference as you no longer have to reach for light switches.

There are also many different gadgets available to make life easier around the home, including grabbers, non-slip mats, long-handled shoe horns, and more. These can make everyday jobs safer and quicker. When it comes to comfort, raised toilet seats help you get on and off the toilet, while raisers for beds or chairs make standing up easier without having to spend money on new furniture. While each change feels small, it all adds up to a big difference.

Small changes can be great but sometimes you need to go a little further. Slightly bigger changes you can make include installing handrails along outside steps to help you keep your balance. If you have small steps leading up to or inside your home, then a ramp could help with mobility. There are both temporary and permanent ramp options available, depending on what you feel is most suitable for your needs.

If mobility is an issue, you could also look at installing a video doorbell or other door-entry system so you always know who’s knocking without having to move – these are readily available online or friends, family, and Age UK Norfolk can help advise you. Although they can be a little more costly and time-consuming to implement, these slightly bigger changes will make a world of difference.

If budget and time allows, there are more substantial changes you can make to your home to allow you to remain independent for longer.

Stairs can make living at home a lot harder, particularly because most of us have bedrooms on upper floors. Installing a stairlift can make getting up and down the stairs easier, particularly if it has useful features such as a swivel seat and specially adapted controls. Stairlifts must be installed by specialist companies who can discuss different options so it’s worth shopping around to find the best one for you.

Another substantial change to consider is converting your bathroom to a wet room with a walk-in shower. You could also install a side-opening bath or bath lift to make getting in and out of the tub easier. Staying in the bathroom, changing the sink and toilet to be higher can help with accessibility.