How to Make Your House Adjusted to Senior Living

Getting older comes with many new challenges but moving home does not need to be one of them. Whether it is an elderly relative moving in or you are looking to prepare for the future, here we share our top tips on how to stay in your home and make it suitable for senior living.

Non-Slip Textures

One of the greatest fears about getting older is the increased likelihood of falling and the potential of the damage it could do. Non-slip surfaces will make a huge difference to your home and are easy to implement. Key areas for this type of flooring will be in the entryway of the house and on stairs.

Showers and bathtubs should also be fitted with non-slip textures or rubber mats to minimise the risk of slipping in the bathroom. Additionally, any non-carpeted floors can be applied with a non-slip wax to prevent slipperiness.

Specialised and Supportive Seating

Sitting down and standing up, once a thoughtless and easy action, becomes more difficult with age. Make the motion easier by investing in special chairs with higher seats so that it is easier to sit down and get back up again. This can be for dining chairs, a TV chair or even replacing the toilet with a raised toilet.

In the bathroom, you can make showering easier by introducing a fold-down seat or bench in the shower. These can make it more comfortable to take a shower and can help the individual enter and exit the shower or bath area with ease.

For those looking for assistance getting up and down the stairs, a stairlift can be very effective and start from just under £2,000.

What is the Cost of Senior Living Home Renovations?

Stairlifts - From £1,875

Home Lifts / Elevators - Between £15,000 to £33,000

Handrails - £40 to £120

Bathroom renovations - £3,000 to around £6,500

Shower seats - From £16

Orthopaedic chair - From £500

Some senior living home improvements are very affordable, with things like handrails and shower seats costing less than £100 to purchase and install

Grips and Railings

Providing grips and railings around the house is one of the best things you can do to make your house suitable for senior living. In the bathroom, well-placed grab bars in and around the shower, bathtub and toilet, will help prevent falls.

Pay special attention to making sure that these are u-shaped, angle, or vertical rather than diagonal, for better grip and that they are securely attached. Also ensure that you equip the walls with back bracing that can support a large weight.

If your house has staircases or halls, you can also add railings up the side of the stairs or on the walls of the hallway for extra support when moving around the home.

Let There Be Light

Moving around in the dark presents a great deal of risk, especially for older individuals with weaker eyesight. Better lighting makes a huge difference and will help to keep people safe in the house.

Increasing lighting around the house, and especially in all entry areas, will help prevent any missteps or falls. Experts also recommend motion-sensor lights around ramps and staircases. This increased visibility will make it far easier for an individual to get from A to B safely.

If you are looking for bespoke builders for your home, speak to GRIGGS today on 01923 852 322 or email us at info@griggshomes.co.uk

How to Make Your House Adjusted to Senior Living – Griggs Homes