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anyone else 'age proofing' their homes

(17 Posts)
poppysmum Sat 13-Jun-26 16:03:53

recently we were lucky enough to move to a HA bungalow which brought it home to me what 'issues' we have. My partner is losing his sight and has mobility issues, i have also a lot of mobility issues and balance as well.
The bungalow has been a great boon but I had to decide things to make life easier.
first to go was a duvet cover! I do not know who invented coverless duvets but they deserve a medal! no more sweating and swearing putting the duvet in a cover, just take off the bed, wash, put it outside or hang over a door to dry, then back on the bed marvellous!
the other thing is I do like to keep my bathroom sparkling clean but bending over a bath tub kills my back so I was delighted when I found a cleaning pad on a long handle. its great I can clean the walls which have a covering on not tiles a really nice sparkling wall covering I can clean to my hearts content without bending marvellous!
what items have you found make life so much easier as the years go by

B9exchange Sat 13-Jun-26 16:54:15

Since FH's stroke we have had to spend a fortune making the house accessible for him, hopefully future proofed for the rest of his life. No help from Social Services whatever! Ramp to front door, raised smart loos to keep him clean with grab rails, stair lift, wet room so he can roll his shower chair around and shower and dry himself, wheelchair accessible vehicle so he can drive his electric wheelchair in and it can be locked in place in the front of the van beside me so we can chat when driving.

Charleygirl5 Sat 13-Jun-26 18:38:57

UI have been future proofing my house s,lowly for around 15 years. The frontt path is now level with the door entrance. I have a stair lift. I have the same issues as your DH, poppysmum. I have no carpets and only one rug at the side of my bed.

UI doubt your DH cooks, I use an air fryer and microwave.

My two loos are raised and there is sufficient room in my shower for a stool in case I feel dizzy. I had to remove my bath to make way for the shower.

My rear garden is small, and I have block paved it. I do own a lot of grass at the front, but I pay a fellow to cut that as and when.

Deedaa Sat 13-Jun-26 20:00:54

Arthritis in my shoulders is restricting my use of my arms so have reorganised the kitchen so that everything I need is on the lower shelves. Anything else I can get my son to take down for me in advance.

Basgetti Sun 14-Jun-26 07:20:54

Yes, moved to a lovely top floor flat, importantly with a lift. Everything we need within a few minutes as and when we need to give up driving. Haven’t found one yet, I want to continue for as long as I can, but budgeting for a cleaner when necessary.
Husband’s health isn’t great and it’s made a world of difference to him, the stairs in our 3 storey house had become a real obstacle. Best decision we could have made.

glasses Sun 14-Jun-26 13:59:39

A stairlift has made such a difference. There are second-hand ones available which make them more affordable.

Iam64 Sun 14-Jun-26 14:48:06

When we extended I had the garage transformed into a large utility, plus shower toilet sink room. The side of the house has a door that opens into the utility. My aim was to bring wet muddy dogs in that door, straight into the shower, then dry off on the tiled floors. It works brilliantly. It later occurred to me if ever I can’t use the stairs to upstairs I could easily live on the ground floor
I’m reluctantly thinking about minimising my glorious borders with less perennials more shrubs and wood chip ground cover

sandye Mon 15-Jun-26 13:52:59

We moved 8 years ago and although it isnt our forever home we were 60 and 70. One of the best things we did was have a comfort hight toilet put in and the bath replaced with a shower. It is so easy to use the bathroom, we plan to move to a chalet (as we live on the coast) next year.

bookwormbabe Mon 15-Jun-26 14:57:21

My husband was getting very fearful of going downstairs due to being unsteady on his legs, so I had an extra stair rail fitted so that he can have support on both sides going up and down. The home modifications people at Social Services arranged it for free (I'm surprised at the lady above saying Social Services were no help - maybe a postcode lottery).

I also ordered a bath board from CareCo that he can sit on while showering, but it's not ideal because he relies on me to pass him the shower head and it's difficult to avoid water going everywhere because the shower curtain can't go the full length of the bath. So we are seriously considering having a walk-in shower fitted where the bath currently is, with a seat a grab rail.

Cossy Mon 15-Jun-26 15:16:55

No, because as soon (or as long) our AC leave home we will downsize.

Bit of a debate with the where or what.

I (now) need to stay here as our daughter is having a her first baby. DH wants a bungalow, I’d like a 2 bed, 2 bathroom flat.

Watch this space haha

cc Mon 15-Jun-26 17:09:11

Cossy

No, because as soon (or as long) our AC leave home we will downsize.

Bit of a debate with the where or what.

I (now) need to stay here as our daughter is having a her first baby. DH wants a bungalow, I’d like a 2 bed, 2 bathroom flat.

Watch this space haha

We live in greater London as we wanted to have all the necessary services close by and a good transport system.
There are very few bungalows around where we live, and in general I think there is much more choice when it comes to flats in most areas except those on the south coast where there are acres of estates of bungalows.

Mojack26 Mon 15-Jun-26 18:51:07

Electric can opener, air fryer, dishwasher, sonic scrubber, rechargeable floor cleaner

dogsmother Mon 15-Jun-26 19:38:02

We have down stairs toilet and I would rather like to change the door to have it outwards opening. I have visions of either one of us collapsing in there and being stuck.

kittylester Mon 15-Jun-26 20:13:30

DH'sbrother did that. The fire brigade had to take the window out to rescue him.

dogsmother Mon 15-Jun-26 20:20:26

Your poor bil. That’s it, must get it sorted.

Romola Mon 15-Jun-26 22:20:16

The AC insisted on my having a shower installed in the bathroom. But for me, a bath is a luxury whereas a shower is a chore. So far, I have no difficulty getting out of a bath and use the shower only for washing my hair.
I do have an extra handrail for the stairs.
My late DH put it in for my late DM, 83 at the time, in 2005. By 2021, aged 86, DH was glad of it too.

WithNobsOnIt Tue 16-Jun-26 03:02:49

Yes, been ageing proofing my flat for the last 20 years due to increasing multi joint arthritis. And reduced mobility. Lever taps, grab rails, toilet sets ,special plates and cutlery etc

Just after a Full Left Knee Joint Replacement . Some 18 months ago. Social Services provide a bath lift chair.

Now awaiting to get rid of beige bedroom carpet. Which has had its day. And replace with wood effect vinyl. Easy to clean.

Not allowed the real wood stuff as l have a neighbour in the downstairs flat underneath mine. So a potential noise problem.

The thing that is putting me off. is having to move all my clothes out of the wardrobes. The all the furniture out of the bedroom.