Have you made any small home changes to make life safer as you get older?

Trip hazards - I tripped over my dog and fractured my shoulder, it was grim.
I’ve kept the dog, it wasn’t his fault but I’m obsessive about rugs. I love rugs but I’m more careful about non slip

I confess that I haven’t really done anything other than almost constant decluttering, but my friend who has RA has done quite a bit. She started by turning her downstairs loo into a shower room in case she’s confined to her downstairs rooms. Then she replaced her old kitchen with a new one, where her oven and microwave are more accessible - she’s bought good, lightweight cookware too, ditching all the heavy stuff. A bit of a disappointment, as she wanted her front door changed to remote control by fob, but at the last minute the company said they’d misled her and couldn’t do it. I think they were dishonest, but she went ahead with their expensive alternative.
Upstairs, she’s refitted her bathroom with a walk in shower and one of those Japanese loos, which does everything.

Definitely not small, inexpensive tweaks, but she’s happy with the results.

The biggest thing imo is having a normal modern-size shower (even if it has to be instead of a bath - eg if there isn't room for both in the house).

I didn't deliberately rip out the bath in this house when I bought it (ie the whole house needed pretty much gutting - as it was so old-fashioned and illogical when I bought it and so the bathroom was going to be gutted anyway) - but I ensured that there is now a modern size shower in the bathroom instead. Lots of people have showers instead of baths - so it's not an obvious age thing anyway and I had decided back in the 1970s to have a shower once I was in Denmark and realised it seemed to be their norm for everyone anyway.

So yep....shower - if you've not got one already.

One thing most people may not think to mention - but, when I bought current house, I realised the "concrete garden" it came with (yuk!) had a couple of trip hazards in it (ie strips of concrete edging that it didn't take me long to trip over several times). It also had a drainage problem (as no-one had ever sorted out the drainage properly) and so every time it rained noticeably (ie frequently - given this is Wales) = big puddle of water I was having to walk through at one point.

So - when I had a garden revamp anyway those two problems were top of my list to deal with - and trip hazards now gone and there's a drainage thingie (technical term) running along the relevant section of garden feeding rainwater down into my drains. Again - those are both things I would have done anyway - ie regardless of age and circumstances.

My parents had their (bungalow) home assessed and the only thing that was needed was a grab rail at the back door because it was a step down.

As well as adding physical things to the home, it is always advisable to have your sight checked and to wear the right glasses. My mother fell badly once because she couldn't see the cable of the vacuum cleaner when her cleaning lady was doing the hall.

Also keep walking and/or do exercises to strengthen the ankle, calf and leg muscles.

But having banisters and rails to hold on to if you are suddenly hit by dizziness is certainly useful.

We haven't done anything yet, though, nor felt the need to. We are lucky in that respect at 71 and 75 I suppose.

I will be 80 this year. When I was diagnosed with RA I had the bath, basin and kitchen taps changed to lever ones, as I sometimes struggled with the originals. They have made a huge difference. I bought the taps on line and asked a local plumber to fit them, which wasn't expensive.
I also bought some half steps for outside back and front doors and at the bottom of garden steps. The more expensive adjustable ones were worth the extra cost and I can step outside without clinging onto the door frame! They can come with a handle for support if needed, and a door mat fits perfectly.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154016643162?_skw=half+step&itmmeta=01KC3PYDFJ63RVQQHJESTFMJCK&hash=item23dc1b785a:g:OxoAAOSwU59fGDPQ
Fortunately nothing else needs to be changed at the moment, as I am fully mobile most of the time unless I get a RA flare, which is rare. I have no mats or rugs as trip hazards.

I have but over many years.

I had some problems getting into my front door because the step was steep. Outdoor handrails advertise that the elderly and decrepit live here, so I had the small path levelled.

I had my bath removed and a lovely shower fitted. I also bought raised loos.

I now have hard floors everywhere with one rug beside my bed.

Sockets, where feasible, are at waist height, so less scrabbling on the floor. Easier to clean, especially if a spillage.

Have changed all light bulbs to LED and 10 year so no more using a small ladder.

I have sufficient space in my kitchen so the heavy air fryer doesn't have to be moved.

No low furniture, including my bed.

A vacuum cleaner upstairs and downstairs although I have a cleaner but it helps her. Cleaning materials up and downstairs.

I never have to use my mini step ladder because everything is reachable.

I use a stairlift so that is handy for taking washing up and down. No longer throwing it downstairs.

Online shopping is weekly as mobility not great, and I no longer possess a car.

Mats and rugs are indeed trip hazards - but it's not just that...but the fact they're extra housework to deal with (ie vacuum on top of rugs, take them up to do the carpet under them, put back down again).

How can ya' tell I go through my house trying to think of ways to minimise the housework? Part of the reason for that being to try to recoup the extra time that possibly has to be spent on dealing with one's health - and still intending to have as much time for oneself and so that extra time has to come from somewhere (ie so it can come off housework time imo).

Another thing re housework and I have a bungalow anyway (ie I can manage to clean the outside of the windows myself quite easily) - but I employ a windowcleaner to do that instead in order to recoup time (and especially now I've had a sorta conservatory added to the house and so can't do the glass roof to it myself anyway).

we changed to a shower instead of a bath a few years ago, had an extra banister fitted and a hand rail at front steps, also grip rails at both front and back doors.no fireside rugs to trip over .

I have:
- a stairlift
- grabbers all round the house
- grab rail, non-slip mat and shower chair in shower
- alarm pendant

I live alone so it is very important not to fall and finish up lying in the floor. It is simply not worth taking the risk. When my late OH, who had PD, fell and fractured his hip he (a doctor) said this was the beginning of the end - and he was right. It often is a terminal event with a heap of misery before the end - to be avoided at all costs!
Well - that's brightened everyone's morning!!

😊😊.

So far we have old aged the kitchen and main bathroom. Everything at eye level and walk-in shower.

I am thinking of putting up handrails in the garden as it is at different levels and DH fell giving himself a black eye.

I moved into my flat in 2019, and as I have 'done' it all up, have to tried to ensure that it is old-age suitable. Has both bathroom and ensuite with a shower unit. One of the best things I have had put in is the comfort height toilet in ensuite.

Hard floors throughout (except in my bedroom), I have got quite clumsy on old age and do knock of over cups of tea/ glasses of water etc.etc. So much easier to mop up on hard floor than on carpet. Grab rails in shower unit and in bath, eye level oven and microwave. Boiling water tap in kitchen (no need to lift kettle). Induction hobs to aid safety. Half-step up to balcony from living room, Alexa to be able to call for help (if required) from anywhere in my flat.

We’ve had a rail put on the steps (12) to our front door.

All our furniture is on legs so that I can vacuum everywhere without moving the furniture. That or it sits directly flat on the floor - like book shelves.

This wasn't deliberate old age decision. i have always done it, more to do with cleaning efficiency.

I had the bath taken out and a walk in shower installed, with a grab rail and pull down seat which I don’t use. As I lost height due to spinal fractures I’ve had to move some items down from the top shelves in the kitchen. I don’t do step ladders any more, so have to get help changing lightbulbs!
My family are now gradually emptying the loft so I won’t have to get up there.

Hard flat floors throughout

Nonslip plastic 'pool sliders' to wear when showering in the wet room

At least one table height working surface in the kitchen. Work tops are too high for old people who are bent over and shorter than they were.

Electric torches in strategic places for night time emergencies.

Make sure the dog's bed and other bits of furniture don't stick out as trip hazards.

Train the dog so he does not have to be man -handled.

Enroll with a local organisation that provides a press button contact and responder person, in emergencies such as falls.

Arrange my bedding so it is easy to keep comfortable and clean. No duvet covers.

Its interesting that you all seem to think hard floors are easier, don't they need mopping and are cold to walk on, also rugs are a hazard. Neighbours over the road have hard floors and I thought it looked bare. I can understand the walk in shower and grab rails though. I have a big wind up torch which is invaluable. Going to get a wind up radio as well.

Sensible garden shoes by the back door, not as before, worn out old slippers with no tread - I slipped over.

I'm watching comments re hard floors too. I couldnt afford engineered wood flooring when I bought the house - but can now and have subsequently had my hall carpet changed to engineered wood flooring (yep....less housework = yay!) and I'm wondering whether to swop my study flooring from carpet to engineered wood too - as I think it would be a good bit easier on the housework front if I do so. Think I'll still leave sitting room and my bedroom floor with carpet on them - for comfort so to say.

Interested to hear further thoughts on that front...

Got rid of the rug in front of the fireplace
Grab rail by the shower

This has all had me doing my homework and the comparative costs of mid-price range carpet (and underlay) and mid-price range engineered wood flooring is the engineered wood flooring works out at approximately twice the price of the carpet.

I can feel a thinking session coming on re this - bearing in mind I'm rather naughty and prone to eating things like toast for breakfast whilst checking out my computer in the room concerned (ie much easier on the housework front to deal with engineered wood flooring than carpet then......). Reckon I should be able to clean every floor in the house (sweeping two, washing two, hoovering two and sweeping the hallway in about an hour and the housework is much more likely to get done accordingly.......hmmm...).

Would like to know there's a much greater chance of me actually doing my housework properly.....hmmm....

If you are changing things anyway then put your plugs at about waist height, easier to use. My flat already had plugs at skirting board level, so that for several areas I have an extension modern 4 plug put into the low level and then the modern plugs are not at table height, so dont have to bend down and risk getting stuck. I always have sensible and good slippers with good firm soles that you can walk out to the dustbin etc without slipping. Those stupid bedroom slippers to me are both useless and dangerous, even more if they are mules, so mine are easy to put on and off and with a band to put across and velcro . Keep a pair of thinsulate gloves in each coat I have so that if you stay out longer than you expected to be , you can keep your hands warm and I also have a white plastic shopping bag in a each coat too, so that if you are anywhere with poor lighti8ng and walking along anywhere without lighting or no footpath carry the white bag on the side nearest the traffic and it will shine in the headlights, plus if you buy more than you expected to , you always have a bag with you.

Whilst having a bath last night I wondered what I will do if I have a knee replacement as I always kneel to get in and out of the bath. The only room in my house that I love is my bathroom. Even though it hasn’t been redecorated first years I still like it. The thought of replacing the bath with a shower horrifies me and I would never buy a house with a shower and no bath. I can’t afford to turn one of the bedrooms into a walk in shower.

I have bought a shower stool to sit on, as showering on one leg, with crutches isn’t easy. Now I can wash my hair with ease and not worry about slipping. I also have RA, OA and replacement hips, so I am careful with living alone but not obsessed. My children don’t like my step ladder but it makes changing bulbs easier.

Yes, was wondering about the hard floors. We have carpets, but not rugs.