Thinking about retiring? During the recent global pandemic, many people across the country either lost their jobs or were put on long-term furlough, with many opting to choose this as their opportunity to retire early and not return to work. If you’re one of those people, you may be looking at your current home and considering if it’s suitable for your retirement years ahead. Of course, it may be ideal for your current living situation, but now is the best time to consider its longevity. Assessing your current home, and making some changes, could save you time and money in the long run. If it scores low on futureproofing, then luckily you can find a more suitable home at s1homes.com.
Accessibility
Getting in and out of your home safely should be a priority. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy tweaks that can improve accessibility which also shouldn’t break the bank this early. For example, you might consider installing a small ramp to the front door instead of steps, placing handrails or adding outside lighting to make it easier to navigate your way in the dark. You could consider lowering the entrance to your home, so that it is all one level.
Stairs
Moving around your home is a lot easier if it’s all on one level. So, if you’re currently in a bungalow, or flat even, then you’ve already guaranteed a few more years in your home. If your property has stairs, however, this may inhibit you. Installing an extra bannister rail should be your first action and will give you an extra bit of peace of mind. But for those who need extra support, it’s worth investigating the cost of installing a stairlift.
Space
Rearranging your furniture can make living spaces more practical by opening up wider walk-through areas. Consider decluttering and getting rid of large pieces of furniture that you don’t use. For example, if you live on your own or it’s just the two of you, reduce your everyday furniture but buy some occasional chairs that can be stored away and brought out when you have guests. Alternatively, place the sofa so its back acts as something solid to lean on when moving around the room.
Bathrooms
If your property has a bath, fit grab rails that make getting in and out easier. Bath lifts can be installed, too, for those with poor mobility. Walk-in showers with seats are also worth considering. Wet rooms are becoming more popular, not just with those that are getting older. Having a safe bathroom doesn’t mean you need to compromise on style either, so speak to bathroom fitters and designers about your needs and emphasise that you also want it to look good too.
There are also plenty of options for adapting the toilet for easier use. Handrails can help, as well as toilet-seat raisers and even hi-tech, hands-free smart toilets that can clean themselves.
Small changes can make a huge difference, such as replacing rugs with non-slip mats, decluttering, and swapping clunky shower doors for easy-to-open curtains.
Kitchens
It’s important to make this room user-friendly. This can include lowering counter tops, opting for a shallow sink and replacing hard-to-reach cabinets.
In terms of gadgets, there are loads of senior-suitable accessories that can be added to kitchens to make them safer and more usable. Replace your kettle with an instant boiling water tap with added safety feature. You can also consider removing bulky wall cabinets that you don’t use anymore and that are hard to reach. Not only does this make things easier to access, but it could also let in more light to your kitchen and make it feel bigger.
Security
Home security should be a top priority for all of us, elderly or otherwise. An intercom or video entry phone can provide extra peace of mind, as can installing an alarm system. They can be relatively cheap to install and for those more tech-savvy, you can link them to your smart device or TV.
You can also use smart tech and apps to turn lights on and off, control your heating and detect movement on your windows and doors. You could also give your relatives access to the alerts so they can check in when they need to.
Assessing your property to see if it’s retirement ready is the first step and will, at most, give you a few more years of worry-free living. But if you think you need something more permanent for your retirement, check out the best Scottish properties for sale at s1homes.com.