Our home is a place for us to feel safe, comfortable and protected. For many of us, our home is just that, but unfortunately for over one million people home is not suitably adapted to their needs.
Research from the English Housing Survey has shown that one third of households feel that their home is unsuitable and that they would like to move to somewhere that is better suited to their needs.
Charities such as the Centre for Ageing Better are campaigning for the government to take action to improve the amount of accessible housing that is available. They campaign for all kinds of steps to be taken to combat the effects of aging according to their website.
What Adaptations Are Commonly Needed?
Sometimes adaptations to a person’s home can be relatively straightforward, such as the installation of grab rails around the walls, a stool to perch on in the shower and a seat to sit on while preparing food in the kitchen. Some of these adaptations are simple, inexpensive and easy to install with the right know-how, but they can make all the difference to a vulnerable person’s safety in the home and, as a result, their confidence.
Other times, adaptations may be much bigger and expensive, such as hoists, differently sized doorways or houses without any stairs, which are easier for many people to get around.
Simple Improvements
Thankfully, technology is now playing an important role in keeping people living in their home for longer, where they feel more comfortable. This is a great alternative to staying in hospital for longer and reduces the impact on the NHS too. For example, wireless WiFi call buttons offered by home care specialists such as dinggly.com/products/wireless-call-buttons/ allow a vulnerable person to call for prompt help if they have a fall or a medical episode at home.
As we head towards an increasingly ageing society, let us hope that advances in technology combine with action from the government to provide more people with suitable homes as soon as possible.
