When most of us buy a home, we intend on staying there for the rest of our lives. However, the slight problem is that our homes can sometimes become a hindrance- especially as we get older. Just like we proof our homes for children and pets, sometimes our homes need to be proofed for us in our old age as well. Here at We Buy Any House we have compiled a few tips on how to make your home age-friendly.

Tips for Getting in and Out of Your Home

Sometimes, the entrances and exits to our home aren’t designed with mobility issues in mind. As we get older, it’s important to make sure the ease with which we have access to our homes doesn’t diminish, and there are a couple of ways to do this. Firstly, you could install a handrail or a ramp in your home, which would aid with stabilising your property. Additionally, adding an exterior light could act as a guide for you to easily make your way back inside when it’s dark.

Answering Your Front Door

As we get older, it can become increasingly difficult to get to your front door in time to answer it- especially if you are expecting a delivery or a visitor. To get around this, think about installing a system that allows you to see and speak to visitors with easy access. These systems include:

• An intercom system at the front entrance of your house.
• A wireless doorbell that comes with an entry phone which you can keep next to you.

Moving Around Your Home

You may want to think about the layout of your home too. It’s important to ensure that your home is well lit, and a great suggestion is to add motion-censored lights to your home, which switch on or off when you get out of bed or the bath. Another good suggestion is to widen your door frames in your home or change the direction in which your doors open to ease your mobility around the house. This is especially useful if you rely on a wheelchair.

Stairs

Adding an extra bannister rail or even a stairlift may make things easier when it comes to getting around your house. Although they can cost a little more, it will make all the difference in terms of aiding you to get up and down the stairs with absolute ease.

In the Bathroom

The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous places in the house, especially as there is typically lots of glass and sharp objects such as razors which can cause injury if you lose balance and fall. A great way to make your bathroom age-friendly is to make the most of technology and add a hands-free toilet and automatic dryer. Additionally, you could add battery-powered bath life to support your weight as you get in the bath, to ensure stability.

This article was written by a quick house sale company We Buy Any House. If you’re wondering “how can I sell my house fast?”, or “how can I get someone to buy my house?” head to the We Buy Any House website for more information relating to all property-related enquiries.