Things to Consider When Adapting Your Home as You Age
Whether you’re nearing your twilight years or pondering what your future holds, there are things to consider when adapting your home as you age. It’s worth thinking about how your home can be redefined as you get older. Your needs will change, and so your home must too.
There’s a lot to plan for in situations such as these. The path forward isn’t always straight and narrow either, and there are a few missteps one can take here. Therefore, it’s worth having a good idea of what to expect and account for. So, what should you consider when adapting your home as you age? You will find our tips below.
Entryway need upgrades
It’s important to more closely regulate visitors to your property as you age. Unfortunately, many scams and burglaries target the elderly, and the perpetrators often start at the front door.
First, an intercom system should be installed. Any guests will need to buzz for your attention before you answer the door. You can answer remotely, saving you a trip to the door if it’s someone you don’t wish to talk to. If you start having mobility problems in your elder years, an intercom can be a blessing. A camera function also helps in this regard.
It could also be good to place signs on or near your front door that discourage cold callers. If you feel that’s not enough, another sign warning visitors of a big dog may be enough to deter any illegal activities.
The best thing you can do is combine these efforts into one secure entryway. You can always decorate around your tech if you’re worried about losing a homely feel to your front door. There’s no need to sacrifice style for substance, so get creative!
Improved mobility features
Integrating mobility features into your home can be demoralising at first. These feelings quickly dissipate, though, when you get around your home more safely, easily, and comfortably. It’s important to find a reliable supplier of disability equipment.
You need to be confident in the products you use and feel good about using them. It’s also important to work with a service that can consolidate suppliers and reduce your costs, making your life easier in that respect too.
Services like Adapt a Home work hard to tailor their services to every customer. As well as providing a diverse range of high-quality mobility aids, they flexibly customise all their servicing and service contracts in direct accordance with your needs.
Everything your home could need in your elder years can be found here, from ramps and stairlifts to bathing and toilet facilities. Committing to these measures could mean you can slash carer costs in your elder years or free up time for your friends and family when they don’t need to help as much. It can also work wonders for your self-esteem and sense of independence, ensuring you continue to enjoy your home in peace.
Funding options could be available
Some of the solutions mentioned so far can tally high in costs. However, it’s important not to be put off by the expenses and thus deterred from implementing the changes you need.
The first thing to remember is that looking into these adaptions is without charge. An occupational therapist will visit your property and conduct a free needs-based assessment upon request for adaptations to be made. They will determine what changes should be made and determine how best to support you in making them.
After receiving the care plan from the occupational therapist, you will be able to apply for funding. Local authority rules vary from region to region in terms of what they will fund and how much they will contribute, so contact your local authority to see what is available to you.
Further options remain if you don’t like what you see from local authorities. For example, the Disabled Facilities Grant should be able to cover much of the cost incurred here. Additionally, it won’t affect the benefits you’re entitled to either. Ultimately there are many options available here, depending on your circumstances, so be prepared to be flexible when trying to fund your home modifications.
Try to avoid riskier funding options
If people still meet roadblocks in their quest for funding home modifications, they may turn to equity release schemes, personal loans, or help from family. These options could come with more risk than they’re really worth.
If you are going to release equity on your property for home modifications, ensure all other options are exhausted first and that you have consulted a financial advisor. Only with their go-ahead should this be something you consider doing. Personal loans and cash injections from family can cause more problems, especially if your pension isn’t generous.
The last thing you need is to owe people money, so you’re able to live comfortably. Go through safer funding channels first, and consult experts in the unlikely event that setbacks are incurred.
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