How to age-proof your home so you never have to move as you get older
Daniel Santos How do you see yourself in retirement? Perhaps more importantly, where do you see yourself in retirement? Where we live defines how we live, so the best way to ensure a happy life once the burden of work has been removed is to think hard about what lies ahead – now. It’s an irony of sorts, but it’s true: the more work you put in to planning your retirement, the happier you’ll be when you don’t have to work at all.
This especially applies to our homes. A structure that has evolved to work wonderfully well as a family home for decades is unlikely to be suitable later in life. My own house has too many stairs and every time I huff my way to the top, I fantasise about the bungalow I saw for sale a few years ago but didn’t buy (it was cheap, needed renovating and was potentially a site for a new build. Oh, silly, silly younger me).
We all know when the Big Move Moment is approaching. It’s tough to relocate at any point, but putting it off is only going to make it more arduous. My friend’s parents, who are in their late 70s, live in a five-bedroom Victorian terraced house in London. A lifetime of memories is embedded in its walls, and understandably their attachment runs deep, but they struggle to maintain it, and during the winter they choose only to heat a few rooms. Recently, they admitted they should have downsized long ago.
Dr Liat Levy, a psychotherapist and psychologist, says: “Our homes have a deep emotional meaning, they are not just arbitrary structures where we reside. As we grow older, there can be an array of challenges: physical deterioration, accumulated losses and deep awareness of our frailty. It’s exactly during such a time that many of us are compelled to transform, or even build from scratch, a home to account for future eventualities.”
Not only can that help us feel more safe and secure, Dr Levy points out, it gives us some control over how we experience the years ahead. “Of course, the practicalities are important, but it also speaks to the emotional parts of us that have been stirred in the process of growing older. Another way of considering this is to think about the creation of a new home as a new adventure. Why should different, and potentially exciting, experiences be curtailed as we get older?”
Patrick Devlin leads the third-age housing projects at Pollard Thomas Edwards architects, an organisation committed to pioneering excellent design. In 2009, Devlin also co-ordinated the influential Happi report (Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation), which looked at the best housing models for older people.
“We want owners to be able to stay in their property until the end of their life; it can be really traumatic to be forced to leave your home because of circumstance,” says Devlin. “But we also believe a home suited to your older years needn’t look like a hospital. It should be comfortable and practical, but also beautiful.”
The Happi report picked up on specific details, such as the importance of light, access to outdoors and neighbouring life, inviting community spaces, energy efficiency and the integral support of technology. “Yes, our designs are for third-age needs, such as accessibility to the shower and sensors to detect falls, but it’s a home first and foremost, somewhere stylish you really want to live.”
Like most of our everyday prerequisites, the bar has been raised. While our parents may have settled for a boil-in-the-bag cod in parsley sauce in front of the telly, we want a gorgeous dining room where we can invite friends for supper, and have access to efficient public transport to local restaurants and cinemas.
The Loveday retirement homes in Chelsea and Kensington have been created by Laurence Geller, whose background is in high-quality hotels. While the weekly bill can be £5,000, their “members” can ask the concierge to book tickets for a West End show, enjoy a dance or culinary class, or relax in the hydrotherapy spa. Each room cost £600,000 to build.
According to the UN, in 2020 an estimated 727 million people worldwide were 65 or over. By 2050, that figure could be topping 1.5 billion. And while good health is the major contributor to happiness levels in this demographic, studies show that isolation and chronic loneliness play a significant role, too.
In the UK, 51 per cent of those aged over 75 live alone. And if the past couple of years have taught us anything, being isolated is no fun. “Maintaining a connection to the world around us is crucial to our health, as well as our happiness, as we get older,” says Devlin, “so if you can’t manoeuvre your stairs, only meet people by driving and you don’t drive any more, or you’re spending all your money on trying to preserve an outdated and oversized property, you are steadily going to feel more cut off.”
As my own parents pushed towards their 80s, my mum would regularly quip, “Old age isn’t for the faint-hearted.” But part of that gung-ho spirit is also having the courage to say your home environment needs to change to maintain an enduring quality of life.
Architect Adrian Rigby, of Sutton Architects in Kent says: “It’s all about ‘inclusive design’, which basically means design that works exceptionally well for the elderly – but you’d never know its purpose, because it is so stylishly blended into the rest of the surroundings. I am currently designing a house in Deal, and the owners have really considered the support they want for their later years – a lift, wider corridors and doors, lower window sills and light switches, walk-in wet rooms, easy access throughout – but primarily it will be a beautiful home.”
There’s something to be said for peace of mind as the years move on. Put in the time and trouble now, you really will be able to sit back and smell the roses in your retirement.
Sarah Wigglesworth, 64 and Jeremy Till, 65, London
‘Beautiful design is important – but being practical is crucial too’
Sarah Wigglesworth is an architect and Jeremy Till is head of Central St Martins art school in London. They live in north London in a sustainable modernist home/office that they designed and built in 1998-2000. Recently, they renovated the property to accommodate their older years
Back when Sarah and Jeremy first conceived the plans for their house, they were both ambitious and aspiring architects, dedicated to building a home to reflect their interests in sustainability.
“At that time, we’d just been to America,” reveals Sarah, “and we were shocked at the wasteful society there. It felt very important to adhere to a design that focused on avoiding waste. We’re true Londoners and we didn’t want to move out to the countryside, but we wanted to explore a type of living that could be green while still being in the hub of the city.”
The pair discovered a large site – which meant they could build horizontally rather than vertically – at the end of a cul-de-sac in north London. They demolished an old forge that was sitting on the plot and started planning what they describe as “an aesthetically very different home”.
As it was a self-build project, the layout and techniques were kept relatively simple, and even at this point they were considering the long-term use of their home. “We didn’t want to be reliant on high tech,” says Sarah.
“Our motivation was low energy consumption, which is especially important these days, with the current high cost of living. We insulated the walls with bales of straw and used mashed-up newspaper to keep it warm, plus we added sandbags along one section to help absorb the noise of the local trains that pass by. Also, because we were starting from scratch, we positioned the house so it would benefit from low-lying direct sunlight to keep it cosy in the winter, while shading the windows to avoid overheating during the summer months.”
Then, a few years ago, Sarah and Jeremy decided it was time to take a step back and re-examine what alterations they might need to continue living well in their home. “It was no surprise to us we were getting older,” laughs Sarah, “but because we want to stay in this house for the rest of our lives, we knew we had to age-proof it. When we first built it, the design was cutting-edge, but some of the kit was in need of replacement and, with hindsight, there were certain things we felt could be improved.”
Sarah not only speaks about older living from personal experience, but also worked on the Dwell project during 2014-16 while she was professor of architecture at the University of Sheffield. Her research looked at how the co-design of housing and neighbourhoods supports the wellbeing and mobility of older people in the local community. One important factor that emerged was that people tend to live happier and longer lives when they can remain in their own homes.
And so the renovations on this distinctive property have been carefully considered. With energy costs again in mind, the building has been specially sealed to be more airtight, the wide windows and roof lights upgraded, and solar blinds installed. A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, which uses air filters to help diminish pollution, has been installed. Post-Covid, Sarah believes that good-quality air is vital.
Other improvements include a level-access shower in the bathroom, and the reconfiguration of a living area (kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom) on the ground floor, which could one day become a carer’s self-contained flat. “We still have our staircase (with new handrails) going up to the first floor,” says Sarah. “We want to use the stairs for as long as possible, because they help to keep us fit, but there is a designated space at the other end of the house for a lift, if we should ever need one.”
The insight and commitment to embracing this next stage of life for Sarah and Jeremy is admirable. Sarah is very clear: “Beautiful design is important, but being pragmatic and practical is crucial, too. You must be honest about what support is necessary as you get older. We recently swapped our gas hob for an induction one because we started to worry about one of us forgetting to turn a ring off. But we did end up laughing about it afterwards, as the instruction manual for the new hob is so complicated, you need a PhD to get your head around it. We’re so glad we bought it now, while we’ve still got the ability to understand how to switch the thing on.”
If you're looking to create a low-maintenance garden
Garden designer Judy Shardlow, of the Hertfordshire-based Heartwood Garden Design, offers her tips for a gorgeous and fuss-free outside space.
Small is beautiful
Gardens don’t need to be expansive, but they do need atmosphere and seclusion to make us feel truly at peace. Create a sense of privacy by clothing vertical surfaces with evergreen, scented climbing plants, such as glossy-leafed star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides). It’s a well-behaved climber that grows strongly to create a lush, leafy look with minimal maintenance, particularly when grown against a warm wall or fence.
Low maintenance is good
Our damp, wet winters are tough on patio surfaces. Materials such as porcelain and high-quality wood-grain composite decking tick the low-maintenance box – no back-breaking scrubbing and painting. Composite textured decking (non-slip), such as Millboard Enhanced Grain, can also be used to create a level-threshold for wheelchairs.
No need for lawn
Lawns are high maintenance, so a simple patio is often all you need for an accessible outside haven. Surround it with plant borders and undemanding but beautiful highlights, such as a small bubble-stone water feature or a dramatic statement grass like Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’, to admire in a sunny spot.
Keep it contained
Vivid colours and scents enrich the senses and fire up our brains. Choose fragrant, colourful herbs such as chives, rosemary, oregano ‘Thumble’s Variety’ and thyme ‘Silver Queen’. They’re a nectar source for bees and butterflies, as well as an outdoor larder. Plus, they work well in containers and on balconies.
In a shadier garden, choose evergreen top-performing plants such as Helleborus ‘Anna’s Red’, paired with brightly coloured sedge Carex ‘Everillo’ and beautiful Japanese lace fern (Polystichum polyblepharum) to form a low-maintenance combination for shade.
Frances, 74, and Martin Mace, 76, Buckinghamshire
‘Our days living in period properties were over’
A lot of forethought has gone into this home. Frances and Martin had always wanted to build a house from scratch, and as they got older, they planned to downsize after their two grown-up sons moved on.
“We approached Jonathan Dale, at Jane Duncan Architects, who was very much on our wavelength and completely brilliant, then we started the search for a plot of land,” says Frances.
“We had a list of criteria: we wanted a home that was simple and easy to manage – our days of living in draughty, high-maintenance period properties were over; we wanted a location near our friends and connections; and we wanted to be on public-transport routes and close to local shops and cafés. With this house, we can walk to the London Underground Metropolitan line in five minutes, and we can walk to a beautiful wood in five minutes, too. I am a potter, so I love going up to London and visiting the art galleries; it was important to me to be able to easily get to a railway station.”
With simplicity in mind, the house has been mostly constructed on an open-plan single level – but there is a large basement where they can store their hideaway items and the less aesthetic support systems of the house (boiler, water softener, second freezer).
“We’ve gone for a minimalist approach,” explains Frances. “We wanted an interior that was practical and welcoming, but not cluttered with stuff.”
Future-proofing for the years ahead was an integral part of the design. The layout includes wider door frames for potential wheelchair access, two separate walk-in wet rooms (and a convenient laundry room) off the master bedroom, and a main living space with unrestricted sections for the sitting area, eating area and kitchen – and there is a separate television room. Then, at the other side of the house, which is currently referred to as a guest wing, there are three small bedrooms, an office and a bathroom. “Let’s hope it never comes to it,” says Frances, “but, if necessary, this could be a carer’s self-contained place.”
When Frances worked as an occupational therapist, she came across many homes that didn’t support their owner’s old age. “I saw plenty of frail elderly people struggling to cope. But it wasn’t because of their disability or years, it was the environment they lived in. It really made me think about what could be done differently. Because this house is modern, it is so well insulated and warm. We have underfloor heating beneath the limestone slabs and there are discreet solar panels on the back roof. It’s an economical house to run, and really cosy.”
One of the aspects that she most loves about it is all the glass. “The light comes pouring in and it’s so cheery. We can sit and eat our breakfast while watching the birds in the garden – which, incidentally, is small and doesn’t need much maintenance.”
In all honesty, who wants to be bogged down with upkeep chores as they glide into their third age? This is the time to be having fun. As a dedicated potter, Frances gets most excited about her adored craft. “The absolute best thing about this house is my outdoor art studio,” she enthuses.
“It means I’ve got a place to indulge my love of pottery, and I sometimes give lessons there. Not only does it mean I am being creative and stimulated, it gives me the opportunity to be sociable, too. Martin and I have met so many new people through having the workshops. As an older couple, we are far from lonely or isolated, but we have made a concerted effort to avoid that happening. It’s important to work out your priorities and put plans in place to try to achieve them. Then, hopefully, you’ll reap the rewards.”
How to design a beautiful and functional bathroom in 2022
The bathroom is probably the most important room in an older person’s home. Get it right and life becomes so much easier. Fine & Able’s Ed Warner aimed to create better designs for supportive living after his friend and co-founder, James Taylor, sustained a spinal-cord injury in an accident in 2005 and had to use a wheelchair.
After eight months at Stoke Mandeville hospital, Taylor returned to his flat to find it looking like a care home. He remembers, “Every morning, I’d wake up and be reminded of my condition because of the products around me. I am a big believer that if you get the environment right for people, you can have a positive impact on their cognitive and physical health.”
Fine & Able’s range blends function and form. Items are designed with aesthetics in mind, but work excellently to support the needs of older people – grab bars, starting at £128, can hold up to 23 stone in weight.
10 tips for good Quality Third Age Living
- Think about hazards – badly fitted carpets and rugs, cables, and uneven steps
- Choose door handles and taps with long levers, which require less effort to grip
- Ligghting, thermostats and locks can all be managed from your phone or tablet
- Install a front-door security camera. You can watch live footage on your phone
- Well-lit rooms make moving around safer and easier
- Opt for a walk-in shower rather than one over the bath. Research says more than 80 per cent of falls occur in the bathroom
- Grab bars help in bathrooms, stairways and getting in and out of bed
- Connection to the outside world will enhance your social life. Do you have access to a bus or train? Are there amenities within walking distance?
- Being close to nature is soothing. A small garden, courtyard or balcony is often enough to be able to hear the birds sing, watch flowers grow and feel the sun
- Stairs aren’t necessarily bad as you get older – they keep your legs strong – but you might think about opting for lower risers and a good handrail for support
Reader Service: Is downsizing the right move for you? Learn how equity release works could help you stay in your own home for retirement.
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