Provision for Old Age anyone else done this?

When we bought our house there was a very spacious bathroom upstairs but not even a loo downstairs. We did have an integral garage which could not take our car so we converted that to a small bedroom and ensuite shower room. We chose a loo that was higher than normal and a shower cubicle big enough to take a seat if necessary. At our age (65 and 73) the stairs are not a problem to us and the downstairs loo is seldom used but it is very reassuring to know it is there if needed.

Thank you Charliegirl some very good suggestions here. We both have a horror of care homes so trying to 'age proof' the house!

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions as I said we are just mulling things over. As we have no children we want to stay as self sufficient as possible in old age!

If I were several years younger I would also have dining room and kitchen which is directly behind it knocked through. This would make a more usable space and would make the house more saleable but not add value. I cannot contemplate having it done so any future buyer can do it to their own design.
One advantage of keeping the dining room is that it could be used as a bedroom and we have a shower room downstairs with cubicle, loo and wash basin , so prepared for poor health.

The things I have done I have done for me to allow my life to be easier. I had a very high front door step and had mega problems getting in and out. I had the path raised so now there is very little step.

I bought higher loos so that I am no longer perched 6" off the floor having mega difficulty in getting up.

I also bought a stair lift.

In the bathroom I had the bath removed so now have a very manageable shower.

My dining area/kitchen is now one square room with loads of space to move around and if I was ever wheelchair bound I could cope. This spacious kitchen would add value but that was not the object of the exercise.

That is the only reason for an extension, more room for a growing family or to make every day living easier. Adding value is a poor reason.

I don't think extensions ad value. My DD is in the process of organising an extension for their house and knows full well that it will not add any value; but it will make the house more practical for their family.

Downstairs.

I think next door have the right idea; a bedroom with ensuite wet room. We added just this to our last house thinking we were going to stay there forever. It sold the first week we put it on the market.

I agree about extensions not adding value. We had a large extension done but we did it for our pleasure and not for adding value.

I would go with Oriel's suggestion of turning the study into a bedroom with ensuite shower, knocking through into the cloakroom. Is there room in your bedroom to create a separate ensuite? Some of the bathroom furniture now is beautifully designed for small spaces and you will certainly find something to fit any bill (I now have a pile of bathroom catalogues so big I could stand on it to paint the ceiling, so I have made a study of it recently!?).

If you do have children you can make sure you're debt free own your home and have paid for your "burning" as we refer to our demise, save if you want put have a surprise nest egg for the grandchildren, don't leave a will let the oldest child sort it out then nobody can bad mouth you.

Another drink anyone

I'm looking to move and am having problems finding a house that hasn't had a extension added. I'm not adverse to extra rooms but most of the extensions turn a perfectly good layout into a rather awkward one, turning a room not a corridor to get to another one, cutting out light and making a room dark, adding space that isnt of any real use, the almost compulsory conservatory. I could go on.
If you have an extension make sure it is done well or it could actually take value off your house rather than adding to it.

Meant to add...

At your stage in life I would have thought it would be better to have the finances to enjoy your lives rather than tying it up in property and not benefit from it.

With the rooms you already have I don't see why you'd want to build an extension.

If you want a bedroom with ensuite downstairs for a live in carer why not convert the study to a bedroom with shower -
the loo is already there.

Alternatively convert the two upstairs bedrooms into a similar facility.

If you don't have children just spend your money any way you like.
I can't see that adding value to your house is relevant in that case but make your house as comfortable as you want and provision for live in care is very sensible.
Not having to worry about leaving an inheritance means you could take equity out of your house for care if savings run low but the most important thing here is, it is your money to do with as you like. Good luck with your planning,

My DD who is house hunting has been told by her estate agent that extensions do not add a great deal of value to a home and in fact the house she has her eye on has a loft conversion bedroom(making 5) and bathroom but is only being marketed at the same price as similar 4 bedroom properties. However it is not only about value is it ? If it makes your home more practical and gives you peace of mind ,I should go for it.