Adapting your home to meet your needs could make it easier to get around or carry out daily tasks.
Your home can be adapted to make life easier and safer. This usually costs much less than moving into a new house or care home and involves far less upheaval.
Our top ten things to think about will help you to plan your future care, even if you don't need support at the moment.
There are many ways in which your home can be adapted. For example;
- putting in ramps or handrails so it is easier to get in and around the home
- widening doors or putting in a stair lift so it is easier to move between rooms
- altering bathroom and kitchen fittings to bring them to wheelchair height
- adapting heating controls or light switches so they are easier to use
Many adaptations are relatively simple and inexpensive, but can make a big difference. For example, a handrail up the stairs might be all that is needed to help you get safely to the bathroom.
Advice on home adaptations
Age UK (opens in a new window)
has helpful advice on adapting your home including an informative guide.
Alzheimer's Society (opens in a new window) has advice on home adaptations for those with memory loss and dementia.
Contact us for help.
Social housing
If you live in social housing, your housing provider may be able to help with adaptations, so contact them first.
Finding a trader
The Buy with Confidence scheme can help you to find a local trader who can carry out home adaptations.
Sight and hearing
Sight and hearing centres (opens in a new window) can offer advice about home adaptations if you have a sight or hearing impairment. Like Independent Living Centres, these offer an opportunity to see and try out specialist equipment and get advice. Alternatively, one of our Occupational Therapists can visit you at home to talk about what you might need.
Further information
You may also like to look at these related pages;
Our Occupational Therapists will be able to tell you if you are eligible for financial help with minor adaptations.
Disabled Facilities Grants
A Disabled Facilities Grant can be used to pay for a range of adaptations to ensure that you have access to facilities within your home. Your OT can help with a grant application.
