As we age it is important to make sure that we have easy access to our home. Making sure we can come and go safely and securely means we can continue to be active outside the home, which is key to maintaining a sense of purpose, a strong social life, and access to exercise and nature. However, there is also a need for enhanced security and the peace of mind that can be gained from control and visibility.

From making sure that pathways, steps, and driveways are well maintained and free from obstacles to adding features like ramps and grab rails can keep the outside world accessible.

It’s also important to make the house accessible to others, and not just family. The simple addition of a key safe can ensure easy access without having to distribute multiple keys to cleaners, carers, and neighbours. Furthermore, they can be essential for emergency services who may need to enter quickly in an emergency.

This is a reminder that any house we want to live in long term needs to be warm, comfortable and cost-effective.

Complete the Future at Home Survey for information on help for your postcode.

In the meantime, these guys will help you understand what you can do to future-proof your house for energy efficiency. Tell them I sent you – Make My House Green

As we age we do tend to spend more time indoors, but having good visibility to the outside is an important component of wellbeing at any age.

Making windows larger and more prominent might be a great idea if you are remodelling, extending your house, or considering a purpose-built space for someone.

Make the best use of the window space you have. Start by ensuring the windows are accessible by removing furniture in front of windows and by adding seating that’s easy to access. Think about the garden layout and have it changed for optimum visibility from a prominent window. Move pots and planters so they are visible and remove any unsightly objects where possible. Remove clutter from windowsills and make sure interior areas around windows are free from any trip hazards like baskets or electrical cords.

Window Boxes

Adding window boxes (self watering) can be great in any home, bringing nature, colour, and fragrance closer. If someone has lost easy access to a garden this could be a great way of bringing back a small piece of something once important to them. Vegetables also work well in window boxes, so there are options beyond spring bulbs and marigolds! As people age, loss of purpose can contribute to feeling down. Something as simple as having to tend to a ‘garden’ or feed the birds can make all the difference. Speaking of birds…

Bird Feeders can add an interesting aspect to a garden, bring nature closer to you, and refilling them provides a reason to get off the sofa! If getting out becomes too much, there are great options to bring the birds to you.

These wonderful bird feeders attach to your window to provide a close-up view of the local avian wildlife.

Other ways to enjoy your garden wildlife come via a bit of modern kit. These products let you see exactly what happening through your phone. These clever bird feeder cameras can automatically capture and record all visiting birds, notifying you in real time, so you’ll never miss out on a visitor. I’m getting the NETVUE  one for Christmas this year…

We should always review current home security, regardless of age. It can reduce insurance bills, keep us safe, and can be a nice add-in when selling a property. Older people are sometimes easy targets for crime and having a strong security set-up provides us, and our families, with peace of mind.

It is highly recommended to take measures to secure your doors and windows. Consider implementing the following suggestions for your front door:

• Install an automatic rim latch lock, also known as a nightlatch.
• Fit a five-lever mortice deadlock for added protection.
• Use a letterbox cage to prevent thieves from tampering with locks through the letterbox.
• Install a door peephole to identify individuals outside before deciding to open the door.

While a door chain can assist in screening doorstep callers, it is important not to leave it engaged throughout the day, as this may hinder the entry of family members, carers, or emergency services. Its best to assess on an individual basis what’s best for your needs.

Windows that are easily accessible, such as ground-floor windows or those near a flat roof or drain pipe, should be fitted with locks. Store window keys in a secure location, out of sight and reach of anyone attempting to peer in. Make sure keys are easily accessible during emergencies.

For your back door, it is advisable to install a five-lever mortice deadlock – in fact, any door should have good strong locks to prevent tampering or forced entry.

The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) is the UK’s largest trade association for locksmiths and is a non-profit-making body. It was established to set and promote high standards of conduct, practise, and materials within locksmithing. Use them to find a locksmith near you.

Home security is a big subject and more of a general home improvement issue, so we are not going to cover it much here. There are many reputable home security companies to choose from, and it might be best to look for a locally recommended company to help. Banham are a national company who are very highly rated, so we think they are probably a good choice. As ever, we don’t endorse any business or product specifically — these are just our recommendations.

There are much simpler and cheaper alternatives to a full alarm system, each of which might offer all you need for safety and piece of mind. Companies like ERA, Ring, Yale, Veho, Hive, Texecom, etc., all offer great wireless camera and phone monitoring systems. Each have different features that might be right for your specific needs.

We think Ring are probably the best option in this space, but they are the most pricey (most falling in the £150-250 range for base equipment)

What they say – Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit – 2nd Gen:

‘Ring Alarm easily expands to fit your needs, on your terms. Simply plug in the Ring Base Station, connect your components, get set up with your account in the Ring app and control your Ring Alarm all with the Keypad or from the Ring app. Everything you need to get started is in the box. With a new look and the same great protection, Alarm Security 5 Piece Kit is an ideal way to get started in whole-home protection for your house or flat. Quick to install, easy to use and completely customisable to fit your home.’

Having proper outdoor lighting serves as an effective deterrent against burglars while also helping you find your way safely around your garden and patio. Avoiding falls is the number one goal of future proofing a home, and lighting is key in any and all areas. You can install a low-level light that automatically activates from dusk until dawn, although these permanent lights are known to be bad for wildlife (as many animals need the dark). We think a better option is a motion-activated light that turns on when it detects movement outside your home. In addition, a visible burglar alarm serves as both a deterrent and an alert system for potential intrusions.

You can be creative with the use of sensor lights. Don’t forget to include paths away from the house, the garage or shed, routes to bins or where bins need to be put out, the area where people get in and out of cars, etc. Mains Lighting – Solar Lighting

TOP TIP: Keep in mind that you might not want to have the light directed towards the house as each passing cat might cause you to worry there is an intruder on the prowl.

These can be a really useful addition to your house at any time. Electric garage doors mean we don’t have to reach up and pull a heavy door. Furthermore, if we have injury or illness, they provide an easy and safe way to park the car and enter the house. A good national company are Crocodile.  We suggest that you talk to a local installer for the best advice.

Video doorbells provide a convenient solution for monitoring activity on your front steps without the need to physically open or approach the door. These can also be tied into your home security devices.

These devices connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network, promptly notifying you when someone approaches your doorway. They have the capability to record video when the doorbell is pressed or when motion is detected. Additionally, many video doorbells offer two-way audio communication, allowing you to interact with visitors remotely using your smartphone.

Installing most video doorbells is a straightforward process, as they typically use your existing doorbell wiring (two low-voltage wires). However, battery-powered models are also available, which can be installed within minutes. Some video doorbells are compatible with other smart devices like door locks and sirens, and they often support voice commands through platforms like Alexa and IFTTT.

Advantages:

• Know who is at the door without having to get up (some have facial recognition and let you know who is there).
• Manage deliveries – tell delivery people where to leave a package without opening the door.
• Feel secure at home – you can ignore, or interact, with the caller without opening the door to strangers.
• Keep an eye on your car.
• Monitor your pet or other animal activity
• Record video – recordings can be used should an incident occur at, or in front of, your house.

Top Tip: You need to be careful as some people have been sued for having doorbells and cameras that can record property belonging to others. It is therefore best practice to…

• Tell your neighbours before you install a video doorbell.
• Change the settings so you’re only capturing the area immediately outside your front door.
• Put up a sign on your door saying the area is monitored by a camera or doorbell.

Again, there are many to choose from. You’ll need to use something that is specific to your needs, but we like what Ring and Ubiquiti have to offer:

A key safe is a secure box with a lock that is used to store keys. It is typically mounted on a wall or door and can be accessed using a combination or key. There are several reasons why you might use a key safe:

• To securely store keys when going on vacation or travelling for an extended period of time.
• To store spare keys for a home, office, or rental property. This is useful in case you lose your keys or need to give someone temporary access to the property.
• To provide easy access to keys for caretakers, house cleaners, or other service providers who need to enter a property when the owner is not present.
• To allow emergency responders, such as firefighters or paramedics, to quickly and easily enter a property in the event of an emergency.

The Supra C500 Pro KeySafe™ is the original Police-preferred key safe that can claim to be ‘as secure as your front door’. The C500 Pro was designed following extensive consultation with users. It is highly secure and is large enough to store up to six keys.
The C500 Pro has achieved an independent security rating from the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) to LPS1175 Issue 8 A5 certificate 1062g. This has been devised by independent experts, including the Police and the Association of British Insurers. They also offer an Alarmed Version.

Individuals who are older or have limited range of motion may encounter difficulties when trying to lift their legs over a standard threshold. Therefore, it is crucial to consider modifying the threshold (step-up) at the main doorway to be 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) or less. There are various methods to achieve this, such as replacing the current sill or elevating your porch. Seek guidance from a licensed and experienced builder.

Depending on the ground elevation at the entrance, you may need to explore alternative door options to avoid the need for a step. Additionally, applying a textured surface to any steps is essential to prevent slipping. If you have multiple steps, installing a ramp can offer easier access, and having handrails on both sides of the steps further promotes safety and stability.

To ensure the safety of occupants and visitors, it is important to maintain a wide path that is slip-resistant and free from trip hazards. Repair cracked or uneven paths to reduce the risk of tripping incidents and enhance the overall safety of entering your home.

Here are a few additional considerations:

• Regularly trim shrubs, hedges, and trees on both sides of sidewalks and steps to maintain clear pathways.
• Install path lighting to improve visibility and prevent accidents during nighttime or low-light conditions.

Find some help near you – Which? Trusted Traders

Fall Prevention Tip – Install a shelf or seat by the door as a place to set parcels and bags while you find keys and open the door. This makes opening doors easier and provides a place to rest if needed, or to ensure your hands are free.

Installing a ramp in your home offers valuable support for wheelchair users or individuals who face challenges with raised surfaces.

Front entrance ramps are commonly installed to eliminate the need to navigate steps when entering the property. Indoor fold-up ramps can also be used to help users navigate thresholds.

When a ramp is intended for regular use by wheelchair or mobility scooter users, opting for a permanent ramp is a practical choice. These ramps are typically constructed from timber or concrete. A permanent ramp should feature a level platform at the top, allowing wheelchairs to safely pause while the door is being opened. Handrails can be added for additional safety for those walking to the door. Alternatively, it may be beneficial to incorporate adjacent steps alongside the ramp to offer alternative access options.

Planning permission may be required depending on the size and weight. Check with your local council’s planning department before installing if you’re building a permanent ramp.

We think The Ramp People are a quality ramp-installation company.

If a permanent ramp is not necessary or feasible, you may want to consider a portable alternative. Portable ramps are typically made from lighter materials and are more affordable.

There are several types of portable ramps to choose from. Suitcase ramps are designed to be easily carried around. As the name suggests, they feature a fold-up design that allows for convenient movement throughout the house. Roll-up ramps, on the other hand, are a great option if you have limited storage space. These ramps are usually made of aluminium and can be rolled into a compact tube shape when not in use. Additionally, there are broad ramps, threshold ramps, and ‘up and over’ ramps available.

When selecting a portable ramp, it’s important to consider where and how the ramp will be used. Make sure to check the weight capacity of the ramp to ensure it can safely accommodate the specific wheelchair or mobility scooter being used, as some models can be quite heavy.

Here’s a list of apps that are often recommended for older adults:

1. My Home Helper – A simple-to-use tablet computer that doesn’t need any interaction from the user. All the features simply appear without having to touch or press anything.
2. Pill Reminder Pro – This handy app sends a daily text message reminder to take the right medication at the right time.
3. Imutt – iMutt is your chance to look after an impossibly cute virtual rescue dog for five days.

Note: AFAH is only providing information about these apps, and provides no specific recommendation or endorsement of any.