Making your home work for you

As your requirements change, your house can evolve alongside you to offer support in daily life.

You may not want to leave your home in later life, so you don’t need to. By making a few adjustments, this can be your forever home, find out how inside...

Ah, spring is in the air – it’s a time for new starts, blossoming flowers and, of course, a good, old, spring clean! But this year, as you take the opportunity to declutter or refresh décor, why not also check that your house is evolving with you?

After all, our needs often change over time or as we get older and it’s essential that our homes continue to support us in our daily lives. A few adaptations or swaps around the house could help you live a comfortable and independent life at home.

Here we’re taking a closer look at a few options for addressing common problem areas. It’s worth also checking in to see what help and advice is available from organisations, such as your local council, before making major changes to your home.

RECLINER CHAIR

A recliner chair offers alternative seating positions and helps when it comes to standing up and sitting down. But, as well as being practical, you can also find retailers offering a range of fabrics and colours to suit your living room.

ELECTRIC BED

Offering varying supportive sleeping and sitting positions, an electric bed might just work for you. Top it with a great-quality mattress for an even better night’s sleep.

STAIRLIFT

A stairlift could be a wise investment to help you move more safely between the floors of your house. You can also install extra handrails to make stairs easier to climb – and, when it comes to external stairs, make sure they’re well lit for better visibility on dark nights.

BATHING SOLUTIONS

Depending on your situation and needs, options include replacing the bath with a level-access shower, adding a seat to the bath or shower, changing to a side-opening bath, or installing a bath lift.