Make Your Home More Comfortable as You Grow Older

22 October 2018

According to Age UK Trading, 20% of people aged 60 to 69 have made adaptations to their home to help them prepare for older age. Nobody likes to think about getting old, but the fact remains that planning ahead is the only way to maintain your independence and enjoy those golden years in the comfort of your own home. By following our five simple tips, you can turn your home into a safe and comfortable haven, ensuring you stay in complete control for years to come.

Elderly Couple Enjoying Breakfast

Make Your Bathroom Easier to Use

Wet, slippery surfaces can be dangerous at any age, but loss of mobility and balance will make the bathroom increasingly difficult to use. Luckily, there are countless practical solutions that can help you stay safe even in the bathroom.

We strongly recommend installing grab rails next to the toilet, and especially in the shower or bath. The Polished Stainless Steel Curved Grab Rail is stylish and very discreet, while remaining just as durable and reliable as other, less visually appealing bathroom rails.

Though not as discreet, the Homecraft Half Surrey Toilet Surround Rail is the perfect solution for anybody requiring a little extra assistance when lowering themselves or rising from the loo. The Bio Bidet Supreme BB 1000 is quite an investment, but offers the ultimate bathroom comfort and cleanliness.

Adapted Bathroom

Make It Safer to Move Around the House

The first step towards this goal should be removing all clutter, loose mats and rugs, which can be trip hazards, from the house. Consider re-arranging the furniture to create clear paths between rooms.

If you have stairs in your house, we recommend installing a hand rail, or even a stairlift. It might be a good idea to consider having all your essential facilities (such as toilet, bathroom, kitchen and bedroom) on one floor. While this may require major adaptation to your house, it could some day prove itself to be a wise decision.

Take Care of Comfort in the Bedroom

Getting a good night's sleep can turn into a challenge as you grow older, so it's important to upgrade your bed to optimise your sleeping position. We recommend investing in a comfortable orthopaedic pillow, such as this Mediflow Water Base Orthopaedic Pillow or a Spinal Alignment Sleeping Pillow, as well as a hypoallergenic, breathable cover and a high-quality mattress.

Ensure Excellent Visibility Throughout

Having high-quality lighting installed throughout the house can work wonders in helping you get about safely. We suggest investing in a remote control light that works with a motion sensor to switch the light in the room on automatically.

Happy Elderly Couple

If you're living with blindness, poor vision or dementia, there is a range of products that can make your day-to-day activities easier. For example, this Talking Button Alarm Calendar Clock gives you the time and date at the press of the button in a clear, English male voice.

Stay Safe If You're Dealing with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a much more common problem than you might think. If you've been struggling with hearing the doorbell, or answering the phone in time, it might be a good idea to invest in a range of specialised products that are designed to make your life easier.

The Amplipower 40 Amplified Telephone features extra receiving volume control of up to 40dB and receiving tone control up to 10dB, while the AmpliDECT 595 Amplified Cordless Phone Twin Set is perfect if you want to keep your phone always at hand as you're moving around the house.

Are you considering adapting your house and getting prepared for older age? Share your tips and experience in the comments below, or find us on Facebook and Twitter!

Tags: Aids for Daily Living, Amplified Telephones, Bio Bidet Supreme BB 1000, Hearing Impairment