ad collaborative post | As we get older, we’re going to have different needs. In fact, as we go through every phase of our lives, our needs change. I certainly don’t have the same needs I did when I was 18. I needed much less sleep back then and my back didn’t hurt 24/7 but there you go!
All jokes aside (although I’m not joking, I really do have annoying back pain!) our needs do change, evolve and adapt as our lives go on and that’s something you always need to be wary of and considerate about when it comes to yourself and older people!
If we are fortunate enough to experience the aging process (which now I’m turning 31 and having a bit of an existential crisis about, is something I’m definitely trying to change my mindset around), then things will happen to our bodies that make things more difficult.
Naturally, muscles lose flexibility, strength and endurance and bones tend to shrink and lose their density as well, making you more prone to fractures. It’s beneficial to do exercise you enjoy, like Yoga or going for walks to help and slow this process but ultimately, it’s not something you can stop.
That’s not to say of course it’s just older people that require adaptations of their homes, a lost of disabled people do as well and these modifications might be ideal for people with a range of motor or mobility issues too.
So here are 6 ways to adapt a home for older people (or anyone that needs it!)
Consider a home lift
If climbing the stairs is a real issue for you (or the person you know) and you have the funds to do so and the space within your house, then you might want to consider a home lift. Stair lifts are great but not everyone finds them easy and they’re not practical for everyone either.
A full home lift might be the solution to make life easier and more independent for the person that needs it. You can find home lifts in the uk of all different types for your consideration.
Add hand rails into the home
Hand rails are a relatively easy and affordable mobility option to add in and around a home where someone might need a bit of a hand in getting around independently.
You can add hand rails up the stairs, in hallways, kitchens and also in the bathroom to make on and off the toilet a bit more stress-free.
Add a wet room
Which, speaking of bathrooms, brings me onto this next point about wet rooms. Wet rooms are an excellent addition to a home where someone needs a bit of a hand and they can also add a whole new level of independence to someone’s life.
Wet rooms don’t have to look dull and drab anymore either! If you hire a bathroom design company to help you then you can get a really sleek a attractive looking wet room.
Install ramps
Ramps are ideal for those in wheelchairs, with walking sticks or perhaps with knee problems or pain who finds it more difficult to bend their legs to get up and down stairs and steps.
Ramps could be installed on the outside of the house if there’s steps to get into the house and also throughout the house, if certain rooms are on slightly different levels.
Make shelves more reachable
Making shelving reachable – or at least the things ON the shelves – is another easier modification that can be made and have a tremendous impact on independence.
It’s risky for older people to reach up to high shelves, even more so if they feel like they need to get a step or a chair to help. So installing more lower-down shelving (bedroom, bathroom and kitchen) is a safer alternative.
Consider the layout of the house
And finally, you might want to consider the layout of the house altogether and switching things up. If you have a room downstairs that would be more suitable for them as a bedroom if they can no longer get up stairs then that could be an option.
