Future proofing your home

As you approach retirement age, you may consider selling your family home to downsize to something more suitable for old age. For many people, this would be unthinkable. After all, our homes mean more to us than being just bricks and mortar.

The prospect of moving into a care home in old age is something most over 45s do not want to consider. But it is possible to avoid this by making some changes to a property to prepare for whatever might happen to you as you age. We want our properties to adapt with us as life changes, be it from a growing family to an empty nest and then eventually advancing to old age.

It could simply be minor changes such as installing grab rails or improving lighting in and around the property, or if funds allow, you could invest in something more significant. Recent reports are stating there is a boom in the market for installing domestic lifts for the elderly in preference to a stairlift. If you do have the cash to spend and it’s suitable for your property, an indoor lift is a brilliant solution.

Alternatively, you could find the best solution is to turn a relatively unused downstairs space into a bedroom with a bathroom. Meaning you can remain living at the property without the need to go upstairs. Bedrooms on the first floor are then readily available for visiting family and friends.

Some house builders even include future proofing into their designs. This includes provision for hoists or stairlifts in addition to extra wide doorways and ensuring level ground around the property, all in readiness for if they are needed.

If you need to adapt your property to meet aging requirements, there is plenty of help available. Age UK can provide some practical advice for meeting any immediate or long-term needs.

Depending on what you want to do to your house, your first stop may be to see an architect. They can provide you with a functional and aesthetically sympathetic alteration. You may also need the services of a structural engineer.

Whichever route you choose, the main point to remember is that it is possible to remain in your family home for many more years of enjoyment. By making the right changes, you can stay safe and secure as you grow older.