Home adaptations are changes to your home that can help to make it both safer and easier for you to move around and live independently as your mobility declines with age or because of a deterioration in your health.
There are a wide variety of home adaptations available, from smaller changes like adding grab rails to your bathroom to larger adaptations like having a stair lift fitted to help you access your upstairs. The cost of these adaptations can vary hugely, as can the amount of time they take to fit and the work involved. So, knowing which adaptations are best for you is a crucial first step before you commit to potentially expensive changes to your home.
In this guide, we explain more about the different types of home adaptations available and how each may be beneficial to you. Plus, we share how to get your home assessed for free through your local council and discuss the different types of financial support available to help fund any recommended home adaptations.
What are the benefits of home adaptations for the elderly?
If you are finding day-to-day activities, like climbing your stairs or getting around in your bathroom, are becoming harder due to your reduced mobility, you may find home adaptations beneficial.
Although there are many different types of home adaptations, they are all designed to provide similar benefits, such as:
- Making your home safer and easier for you to move around in
- Enabling you to live independently at home for longer
- Preventing falls or injuries
- Making your daily life easier
- Being a cost-effective alternative to having to move into residential care
- Improving your emotional well-being, enabling you to continue enjoying being in the home you love
What home adaptations are available?
Whether you are finding daily life at home harder due to your increasing frailty or reduced mobility, you may find certain home adaptations helpful.
Below, we break down some of the most common types of home adaptations available to help you understand which may be the most beneficial:
Bathroom adaptations
Wet surfaces and smooth flooring can mean that bathrooms pose more of a fall risk, especially for elderly people. Fortunately, there are several home adaptations that can help make your bathroom safer:
- Fitting grab rails around the bath, shower and toilet can help provide support when getting in and out of the bath or shower or when using the toilet.
- Having an accessible bath or walk-in shower fitted can help make it easier for people with stiff joints or weakness from having to step up their legs.
- Fitting a bath hoist to help make getting into and out of the bath safer, however, it should be noted that this adaptation usually requires the assistance of a carer.
- Fitting thermostatic mixer taps with a specific maximum temperature to prevent scolding or burns.
- Adding flood detectors that raise an alarm once the water level in the bath or sink reaches a certain level can also be beneficial if you have memory issues.
Bedroom adaptations
Generally, the bedroom poses fewer hazards than the bathroom. However, several home adaptations can help make your bedroom more comfortable and easier to get around.
This can include:
- Fitting hoists or transfer aid to help raise and lower you into and out of bed. But, just like a bathroom hoist, you should bear in mind that a carer will be required to help you use the hoist.
- Fitting automatic or motion sensor lights can help ensure that if you wake in the night, you don’t have to try and get around in the dark, which can increase your risk of falling.
- Fitting the bed with a waterproof mattress and sheets, or having a bedpan to hand can be beneficial if you suffer from night time incontinence.
Kitchen adaptations
The kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in the home, as it can present several hazards from the risk of fire to trips and falls.
While it is not possible to remove every single hazard, certain home adaptations can make using your kitchen easier and more enjoyable as you age:
- Lowering your kitchen worktops so that they are at a suitable working height for you.
- Installing an oven with an induction hob as these only heat up on contact with a metal pan and don’t retain dangerous temperatures when the pan is removed, so help reduce the risk of burns.
- Installing additional lighting in higher-risk areas, such as where you chop food or pour hot liquids.
- Installing an isolator switch that can be programmed to switch off the cooker and hob after a certain length of time, in case you forget to do so.
Stair adaptations
Getting up and down your stairs can become more challenging as you age and struggling to manage the stairs can increase your risk of falling.
Adaptations which can help include:
- Handrails fitted to both sides of the stairs to provide stability and support.
- A stairlift to safely transport you up and downstairs without worry.
- Fitting an access ramp up small flights of stairs to make access easier
Other home adaptations to consider
In addition to the home adaptations mentioned above in relation to specific rooms, there are some general adaptations that can be made to your home to make it safer, more comfortable and easier for you to get around in. This can include:
- Widening your doorways, which can be particularly beneficial to those using a wheelchair or Zimmer frame.
- Improve lighting throughout the home to increase visibility.
- Improving security around the home by fitting outdoor lighting or an intercom system to provide reassurance and peace of mind.
- Installing a key safe, so that carers can access your home without having to disturb you.
Steps to make the home safer for elderly people
As well as the above home adaptations, which can be fitted to assist you to live independently in the home you love, there are several smaller adaptations you or your family can also make to help improve your quality of life at home.
This can include:
- Creating clear contrasts in your home by choosing furniture, bedding, towels or floor rugs in clear block colours can help you distinguish between different items and areas. This is especially important for elderly people with poor sight as well as reduced mobility and those living with conditions like dementia.
- Clearing away clutter can help to reduce trip hazards, as well as the risk of fire. It can also help ensure that the emergency services can get to you quickly and efficiently in the event of an emergency. However, clutter is subjective so if you are clearing clutter on behalf of an elderly relative, be mindful that what you view as junk may be one of their treasured possessions. So, ask them where they’d like their items stored safely rather than just getting rid of things for them. It’s also good practice to ensure:
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- Keep pet accessories in one room as much as possible and try to tidy away food bowls when not in use.
- Secure the corners and edges of rugs to the floor or place slip-resistant pads underneath.
- Remove loose wires or tack them to skirting boards to keep them safe.
- Keeping the home tidy to avoid items becoming a trip hazard and ensure the house is hygienic.
- Organising the kitchen so that the items you use regularly are within easy reach.
- Keeping your house warm by ensuring your thermostat is set between 18 and 21°
How can I get a home assessment for adaptations?
If you feel that you or a loved one could benefit from home adaptations, the first step is to contact your local council and organise a free home assessment with the social services department.
What should I expect at a home assessment?
During a home assessment, an occupational therapist will visit you at home to assess what home adaptations you may benefit from. The appointment usually lasts around an hour and during this time they will ask you questions about what tasks you struggle with and may get you to perform certain activities, like walking up your stairs.
It’s important to be honest with the person conducting the assessment about the areas of your home you struggle with, as this will help them understand what adaptations will be most beneficial to you.
What funding is available for housing adaptations?
If, during your home assessment, it is found that you may benefit from home adaptations, you may be concerned about the cost implications. Fortunately, there are several ways you can access help with the cost of home adaptations:
Local Council Funding
Your local council can cover the cost of minor adaptations up to £1,000, which usually includes things such as grab rails, ramps and outdoor lighting. This isn’t a means-tested benefit, so you should be eligible regardless of your income or savings.
Disabled Facilities Grant
For home adaptations that cost over £1,000, you may be able to get funding from the Disabled Facilities Grant through your local authority.
Funding is available to anyone over 18 who has a permanent disability, this includes physical and learning disabilities as well as certain mental health conditions.
This funding is means-tested, so the amount you are entitled to will depend on your household income and savings, and the total amount available depends on where you live in the UK. In England, you can claim up to £30,000, Wales up to £36,000 and in Northern Ireland up to £25,000.
Scotland runs a slightly different scheme known as Scheme of Assistance and the total funds available vary depending on where in Scotland you live.
Independence at Home
Independence at Home is a charity dedicated to helping improve the independence, comfort, safety and quality of life of those living with a long-term illness or disability. This includes providing financial support to help with the cost of larger home adaptations.
To be eligible for assistance you must be unable to fund the adaptations yourself and you need to be referred to them by a health or social care worker or another charity.
Home Improvement Agencies
Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) are dedicated to enabling elderly, vulnerable and disabled people to live a rich and fulfilling life. They can offer free, impartial advice on the types of adaptations you need and help you find schemes available in your area to help cover the costs. Visit the Home Improvement Agency to find funding available in your area.
Trusted home care from Trinity
If you are finding it harder to live independently at home, why not consider seeking the professional support of Trinity Homecare? For the past 25 years, we have provided the highest standards of care in the comfort of people’s own homes, ensuring your needs are fully taken care of so you can continue to live a rich and fulfilling life.
Trinity Homecare is a fully managed care agency with an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, placing Trinity amongst the top 4% of all nationwide care companies in England. With this in mind, you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the highest standard of care and specialist support.
If you have any questions about arranging home care, simply get in touch with our helpful and knowledgeable care team.
Arranging nationwide home care with Trinity is straightforward.
Simply follow these five steps:
- Call our care team
- Undergo a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your care needs and arrange a care assessment
- After the assessment, a plan of care is created
- A well-suited carer is found and placed
- Care can be adapted at any time
