For millions of families across the UK, there is a hope that our parents and grandparents will be able to stay in the homes they know and love as they get older, rather than having to leave simply because their mobility has changed.
Andy Burnham’s plans for the future of social care have put greater focus on helping older people receive support at home. But a mobility expert has warned that the plans also highlight whether our homes are adequately prepared for our loved ones to grow old in.
It is a question more families are starting to think about, with Google search interest for ‘elderly home care’ increasing by 285% in a single day last month.
And the issue is only likely to become more pressing as the UK’s population ages. According to the House of Commons Library, ONS projections show the number of people aged 65 and over could rise by more than 9m over 50 years, from 12.7m in 2022 to 22.1m by 2072.
For many older people, staying at home means holding onto their independence, routines, familiarity and a comforting place they may have lived in for decades. But as mobility changes, everyday things we rarely think twice about, like getting upstairs to bed or moving safely between rooms, can suddenly become much more difficult alone.
Neil McKenzie, home safety expert at Halton Stairlifts, says conversations around social care need to consider the homes people will actually be ageing in, not just the care they receive. “As the country looks at the future of social care, we also need to look at the homes people are living in. For many of us, the thought of our parents or grandparents having to leave a home they love because it no longer works for them is difficult. Remaining at home is often what people want, but we also need to be realistic about whether that home can continue to meet their needs as they get older.”
McKenzie says families should watch for early warning signs that a loved one is finding everyday life at home more difficult to manage. “They might start avoiding the stairs, struggle getting in and out of the bath or find it more difficult to move between rooms. These aren’t just everyday inconveniences. As mobility changes, they can also increase the risk of falls, so spotting them early gives families time to think about what could make the home safer and easier to live in.
“Simple adaptations, such as adding grab rails, replacing difficult-to-use door handles, improving lighting, clearing any tripping hazards, and installing a stairlift, can make a huge difference in helping people stay safe, comfortable and independent in their own homes for longer.
“If we are serious about helping more people receive care at home, social care reform cannot only focus on the care itself. We also need to think about whether the homes our loved ones are growing old in allow them to live safely and keep their independence.”
