You have received a windfall ...

Air conditioning units installed throughout my home. Last summer in London, and for several summers in London, the heat has been oppressive and has affected my wellbeing.
Am doing this in the New year anyway, will cost a chunk of our savings, but I think is now essential.

Fallingstar

Air conditioning units installed throughout my home. Last summer in London, and for several summers in London, the heat has been oppressive and has affected my wellbeing.
Am doing this in the New year anyway, will cost a chunk of our savings, but I think is now essential.

That is a good one.

If my windfall wasn't enough to install (and run) good air conditioning, I would prioritise having external awnings installed above all the windows that have the sun on them at some time of day.
If it was big enough, I would have both.

Air-conditioning is good future proofing. My first thought was teeth - but I was in the dentists chair when I thought of the question

Another thought has been wooden floors to replace carpets. My back really doesn't like hovering these days and I doubt it will get better as the years pass.

A new ceramic hob. Mine is cracked and I’m saving to replace it.

New kitchen floor, torn when the old washing machine was removed. It’s nit dangerous, but unsightly.

“Net curtain” blinds for the living room…

In my current situation and state of health, a measly few thousand wouldn't cover it.

In these uncertain times, I'd be inclined to buy gold I could wear on me... not many scenarios where that can't be exchanged for what me & mine need to get along, whatever that may be in 20 years' time.

I would pay a gardener to do a good makeover with my front and back gardens. They both look terrible at the moment but I don't really have the spare money to pay someone.

hoovering not hovering!

valdali

In these uncertain times, I'd be inclined to buy gold I could wear on me... not many scenarios where that can't be exchanged for what me & mine need to get along, whatever that may be in 20 years' time.

Interesting reply. In many cultures people buy gold for a woman when she marries, this is in effect a survival fund in case the going gets tough, and the woman will continue to buy it or receive gold throughout her life.

CarrotTop

In my current situation and state of health, a measly few thousand wouldn't cover it.

You can have a bigger amount if it helps. Say £8,000?, but it must future proof you and/or your home.

I would love to replace carpets with wooden flooring but I think replacing our (elderly and sagging) sofas with decent armchairs would take priority.

I would also get rid of all the ‘gadgets’ eg blinds in the kitchen and conservatory that are operated by a remote control. They need charging every now and then, and that means getting the step stool out. Ditto blinds in the living room.

Might be taxis?
Does that count?
For when I can no longer drive?
I live rurally.

I have a relative who is looking forward to driverless cars.
Personally, I would take some convincing about them.

Definately air con in the house and a bit of sorting out the back lawn area.

fancythat

Might be taxis?
Does that count?
For when I can no longer drive?
I live rurally.

I have a relative who is looking forward to driverless cars.
Personally, I would take some convincing about them.

Taxis definitely count.
My DH can no longer drive and I never have, when he had a stroke we got attendance allowance so I have the uber app and we use taxis to improve our quality of life.

Dependent on how big!

Air Con
Wooden shutter like blinds
Front and back garden (they’re miniscule) landscaped.
Wet room with built in seat.

fancythat

Might be taxis?
Does that count?
For when I can no longer drive?
I live rurally.

I have a relative who is looking forward to driverless cars.
Personally, I would take some convincing about them.

Taxis definitely count. Even if you drive now you may need a different mode of transport. Like you I'm not sure about driverless - maybe if they were on rails ...

DaisyAnneReturns

hoovering not hovering!

I liked the sound of “hovering”

Would anyone use it to get help with ironing? I can see that being a future issue.

Cossy

DaisyAnneReturns

hoovering not hovering!

I liked the sound of “hovering”

I'd probably still manage to fall over and no doubt there would be a hovering test! But in the comfort of your own home ... Could be useful.

A gardener to help with the heavier jobs.

Beware of wooden floors if you think it will save on hoovering (or even hovering). You don't have to hoover, as you can sweep, but the amount of fluff and crumbs you sweep up makes you wonder about the state your floors would be in if you had carpets! I still like our wooden floors though.

Turn our outside working toilet into an inside toilet.

When my DH had a hip operation and could not managed the stairs, I realised how important it is to have a downstairs toilet.

DaisyAnneReturns

Would anyone use it to get help with ironing? I can see that being a future issue.

I gave up ironing years ago. Just buy clothes that can be hung to dry and not get creases.

Definitely a gardener.
I’ve spent years avoiding how to use a lawn mower. If he wants ro live in a house with a great big garden then so be it, he mows the lawn.
He’s just broken his wrist badly.
I am now hoping for cold and rainy weather.

My recommendation for oldies came with the house, installed by 100 yr old previous owner. It's a disability wetroom shower , an experience much beloved by our entire family especially the teenagers and sports enthusiasts.

In our future decrepitude we will either drive in on a zimmer, or in a wheelchair. A carer/granny can stay perfectly dry while power-showering the patient/grandkids from top to toe.