How To Create A Comfortable Home: Adaptations To Support Independent Living

Home is where you spend a considerable amount of time each day, and as a result, they’re also where you tend to feel the most comfortable and safe.

However, with age, you may start to struggle with daily tasks that you didn’t before — such as climbing stairs, stepping over the bathtub’s edge, or even opening fiddly door handles. While this can feel frustrating or even frightening at first, the good news is there are many ways to regain your independence and continue living in the home you’re used to.

In this guide, we’ll introduce some simple and effective home aids and adaptations for the elderly — helping to make everyday tasks easier and provide you with peace of mind as you age.

Why are home aids and adaptations important for the elderly?

It’s normal to experience some physical changes as you get older. Your mobility, strength, and balance may be affected, making once-simple tasks around the home more challenging.

In fact, around 45% of adults over the age of 65 report having some form of disability, with many facing difficulties related to mobility. This can make everyday activities such as cooking, bathing, or even moving between rooms feel overwhelming.

Making home adaptations can help to bridge this gap in physical ability and environment, allowing elderly people to maintain their independence and continue living comfortably in their own homes.

Whether it’s something small like installing grab rails or more significant changes like widening doorways for wheelchair access, these modifications can make a world of difference. With the right changes, older individuals can continue enjoying their familiar surroundings without feeling restricted or at risk of injury.

Aids and adaptations for independent living

From practical changes in your kitchen to modifications that improve movement between rooms, the right tweaks to your home can make everyday tasks easier and allow you to move freely with confidence.

Let’s explore some changes you can make to your home to improve your everyday life.

Aids for the kitchen

The kitchen is where you spend a lot of time preparing meals and enjoying quality time with loved ones. However, as you get older, the kitchen can present some physical challenges — from bending down to reach low cupboards to handling hot surfaces and slippery floors. Adapting this space can help improve your comfort and safety.

Install push-to-open cabinet doors — These doors only need a gentle press to open rather than gripping small or awkwardly shaped handles, making them ideal for those with arthritis or reduced hand strength.
Opt for easy-grip handles — Another option is replacing any traditional cupboard handles with easy-grip handles. These handles are larger and more ergonomically designed to be easier to grasp, helping to reduce strain on the hands and wrists.
Fit drawer risers — If you’ve noticed that bending down to access the contents of lower drawers has become more challenging, installing drawer risers can make a world of difference. As you open the drawer, it will lift on a set of risers to a more comfortable height, making it easier to reach pots, pans, and other items without uncomfortable bending and stretching.
Upgrade your sink — Finally, the kitchen sink is where you carry out multiple day-to-day activities, from getting a glass of water to washing up after you cook. Non-slip mats are a great solution that is quick and easy to achieve and prevents slips when walking around this area. These mats offer extra grip on the floor, reducing the risk of accidents.

Adapting the bathroom

Your bathroom is a place to relax and unwind, but it can also be one of the most hazardous rooms in the home — especially as your mobility becomes limited with age. With wet floors, slippery surfaces, and the need to step in and out of the bath or shower, there are several risks associated with using your bathroom as you get older. Thankfully, there are several home aids and adaptations that can make this space much safer and easier to use.

Install a walk-in shower — This is one of the most common changes people make as they age. These showers are flush with the bathroom floor, removing the need to step over a ledge on the shower tray and reducing the risk of tripping.
Fit a walk-in bathtub — For those who prefer a bath, you may wish to replace your standard tub with a walk-in model. This type of bath includes a side door that lets you step in without climbing over the tub’s edge, making bathing more accessible.
Opt for grab rails — These can be screwed directly into the walls around the bath, shower, and toilet. These rails provide extra support when you’re sitting down, standing up, or walking through areas that could be slippery.
Purchase a shower stool — For those who need extra stability while showering, a shower stool can also be a valuable aid. It lets you sit comfortably while washing and lowers the chances of slipping on the wet floor.

Upgrade to a comfort-height toilet — If you’re finding it difficult to sit down, you might want to consider a comfort-height toilet. These toilets are slightly taller than standard models, making it easier to sit and stand up without extra strain.

Adaptations for your bedroom

The bedroom should be one of the most comfortable rooms in the home, but the furniture you’re used to can, unfortunately, become less accessible as your mobility declines. Simple tweaks to your room can help you continue using your bedroom with ease, making bedtime more relaxing and safe.

Choose a height-adjustable bed — If you have the space and budget, replacing your bed with a height-adjustable model is a great adaptation. These allow you to adjust the height and position of the bed, usually via remote control, making it easier to get in and out without straining your back or legs.
Replace your bed with a reclining model — These beds are similar to height-adjustable beds but also offer a reclining feature that helps you find the most comfortable position for sleeping or sitting up. Reclining beds are ideal for those with conditions like arthritis or breathing difficulties.
Install a ceiling light cord — These cords are attached to the ceiling near your bed and let you control the lights in your room without getting up to reach the light switch. This can be particularly helpful for those with limited mobility who need assistance getting in and out of bed.

Getting into and out of the home

Making sure that your home is accessible from the outside is just as crucial as making adaptations to the interior. The entrance to your home can often present challenges, especially if there are steps, uneven surfaces, or narrow doorways.

Widen doorways — This is recommended for those who need to use wheelchairs or walking aids. Standard door frames are usually 762 mm (2′ 6″) wide, which is too narrow to accommodate mobility aids adequately. Widening the entry points to your home allows you to come and go freely without needing assistance to get through the doorway.
Install access ramps — If your entrance has steps, access ramps can be installed to reduce trip hazards and make entry easier. Similarly, resurfacing your driveways or courtyards to remove loose gravel or uneven areas can make walking safer.

Moving around

With age, certain aspects of the home’s layout or flooring may need to be adjusted to reduce the risk of trips, slips, or strain. Making these changes and installing home mobility aids where necessary will allow for easier movement and help you maintain independence without relying on family members to get from one room to another.

Replace your flooring — One of the most significant aids for older people is replacing slippery wooden or tiled flooring with carpet. While this can be expensive, carpeted floors provide better grip and reduce the likelihood of falls. They also cushion the impact if you do happen to trip, making it a safer choice for areas like hallways or living rooms with fewer soft surfaces to catch your fall.
Put down anti-slip mats — Alternatively, if you’d prefer not to replace the flooring, you can strategically place non-slip rugs in high-traffic areas to add extra grip.
Rearrange your furniture — The room’s layout can make a big difference in how easy it is to navigate, and rearranging furniture to create a more open-plan space can be a big help. Reducing clutter and widening walkways between rooms makes it easier to move through the home without the risk of bumping into obstacles or tripping over loose items.

Moving between floors

Many people opt to move into a bungalow or other single-storey property as they get older, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of ways to move freely between floors, meaning you can continue living at home without the strain of climbing stairs.

Install a home lift — Unlike a stairlift, which can only be fixed to the stairs and requires the user to sit down, a home lift is a much more comfortable way to move between floors. This is especially true for those who use a wheelchair or struggle with sitting down. These lifts fit seamlessly into your home, offering far more options for installation locations and providing a spacious way to travel up and down within the home.
Safety-proof your stairs — Adding handrails or bannisters on both sides of the staircase can offer extra support for those who still use the stairs. For further safety, you may choose to install non-slip strips along the edges of each step to improve grip and lower the risk of slipping.

Things to consider when adapting a home for seniors

Making adjustments to your home involves a lot of careful planning, especially when it comes to larger modifications. While some adaptations can be implemented quickly with minimal impact on your home, others may require more time to budget for and organise.

Here are some key considerations that’ll help you make the right decisions when adapting your home for senior living.

1. Sensory aids

Changes to your hearing, vision, and other senses can make navigating the home more difficult. If this applies to you, sensory aids may be required to make your home safer and easier to navigate.

Amplified doorbells and visual alert systems can be helpful for people with hearing impairments. These devices flash or vibrate when someone is at the door, ensuring you never accidentally miss a visitor.

Similarly, hearing loop systems can be useful when using phones or watching TV. These work by transmitting sound directly to the hearing aid via a magnetic field, reducing background noise and improving sound clarity.

For those with visual impairments, motion-sensor lighting makes sure rooms are well-lit without the need to search for light switches. Adding large-print labels to essential household items like remote controls, kitchen appliances, or medication bottles can improve visibility and reduce the likelihood of making mistakes or misplacing things.

2. Think about what will add value

When making home adaptations, consider how these changes might impact the value of your property. While some adjustments are necessary to improve accessibility and safety, others may affect your home’s resale potential, so it’s important to think carefully if you plan to move or downsize soon.

For example, installing a home lift or widening your doorways will often be attractive features for potential buyers who might have mobility concerns or elderly family members. These adaptations can add value to your home by making it more accessible to a broader audience.

3. Costs and applying for financial help

Making changes to your home can sometimes involve a significant financial investment, but there are ways to manage these costs and even apply for financial assistance. The overall cost of your adaptations will vary depending on the scope of the work. For example, small changes like installing grab rails are relatively inexpensive, while larger projects such as fitting a home lift or widening doorways can be more costly.

The good news is that you may be eligible for financial support through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). This grant provides funding for essential adaptations to help people with physical and mental disabilities live more independently at home and can cover changes such as installing ramps, stairlifts, or home lifts. The amount you receive will depend on your financial situation and the work required, with the grant offering up to a maximum of £30,000.

See our guide for more information about how to apply for the DFG.

For those not eligible for the DFG, other local or charity-based funding options may be available. Additionally, some home insurance policies may cover certain adaptations, so it’s worth checking your policy or contacting your provider to see if you are eligible for any assistance.

4. Planning permissions

While many smaller modifications, such as installing grab rails or stairlifts, generally don’t require permission, you may need to get approval for more significant changes — like building an extension.

In the UK, planning permission is typically required for adaptations that involve structural changes or significantly alter the appearance of your property. For example, if you’re considering adding an extension to create an accessible downstairs bathroom or bedroom, you will likely need building permission.

Similarly, adding a porch or modifying your home’s external access points — such as widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs — may also require approval, depending on your location and the specific guidelines of your council.

In some cases, listed buildings or homes in conservation areas may have stricter rules, and even minor alterations could need approval. It’s important to contact your local council to check which permissions are needed for any significant building work, especially structural changes.

Live independently with Stiltz

If you plan to continue living at home, alone or with a spouse, adapting to the property is vital to maintaining independence and comfort as you age. A home lift offers a seamless and space-saving way to move between multiple floors, helping you stay in the home you love without the physical challenges of climbing stairs.

Explore our range of Stiltz home lifts, including our Duo and Trio models, and take the first step towards making your home more adaptable for the future.

For more information, contact us today. Our friendly team are always on hand to help you find the right solution.