Bungalows and single storey dwellings have always been the preferred choice for the over 60’s.
However, more people than ever are choosing to stay in their existing homes and release equity rather than downsizing to a bungalow or residential care homes.
Developers are building at a phenomenal rate. The UK needs to build around 350,000 new homes every year – for the next ten years – to solve the “housing-crisis”.
Combine this with the fact the population is aging.
Making houses accessible can not only appeal to those with disabilities or mobility issues, but also middle-aged homebuyers looking for a future-proof home.
Level access showers, wide stair cases and doorways can be great foresight when building homes for longevity. They can be a great selling point for this target market too.
Stairlifts are a common adaptation to a property in later life, so making sure the staircase is not too narrow is a sensible idea. The majority of stairlifts will fit a staircase 750mm wide, but we suggest all newly built staircases be 850mm wide as a minimum. While there’s no official requirement in the building regs for a domestic staircase width, we think the wider the better. Ideally 900mm wide is perfect.
While home adaptations will still be required to make a home more accessible for the elderly, ensuring the foundations are in place to allow these adaptations is a must.
As Stairlift Experts, we are able to advise customers on ‘whole of market’ product range. Established in 2010, we have more than 35 years experience within the stairlift industry and can be that single point of contact for architects and builders looking for impartial expert advice.