Hallway and Stairs

We need to keep the entryway and front hall free of clutter and hazards to make sure our comings and goings are as safe as possible.  This is traditionally the space where we’d find the telephone, umbrella stand, and coat hooks, and where we might see a stair lift. This section considers all those elements as well as other general adaptations you will find useful. As ever, it’s important to consider making these changes before they are needed.

Space is Key

For most of us the size of the hall or staircase is hard to change, but keep in mind that space becomes increasingly important as you age. Planning for the use of canes, wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices is essential as you transition from mid-life to senior to elderly. Ideally, the hall should provide ample space for people to move around and access cabinets and closets. Keeping staircases free of clutter and removing unnecessary furniture or shelving units from hallways can help to keep these areas as useful and as safe as possible.

Making Space

Where possible, hallways in a properly accessible home for Ageing in Place should be 48 inches/122 cm wide to allow for walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids that can take up to an access of half of that in width space. Making this type of change is something to include when considering building changes or planning for long-term wheelchair use.

Click the EA Logo above for help with ramps, doors, bathrooms and other home adaptations

Home Improvement Agency

If you require assistance with the necessary adaptations or repairs, it is worthwhile to find a reputable home improvement agency in your vicinity. These non-profit organisations can provide support with intricate tasks, installations, and potentially even financial assistance to help cover the costs. Click here for a directory of organisations that can help.

While most people now use mobile telephones, some people also want to maintain a traditional landline, which usually lives in the front hall. If the main inlet for the landline is here you can, of course, always consider moving it to another, more convenient, location in the house.

There are some great options for easy-to-use phones. The Doro PhoneEasy 331ph Big Button Corded Telephone is a favourite.

Whether you’re coming home or heading out, there are products that can keep you safe. Fall alarms are great around the house or in the garden where help might be harder to reach. They can be used wherever you go, giving GPS information to tele-services, friends, and family, or directly to emergency services.

Stair lifts are obviously one of the major, and most important, investments we can make in a home if we want to Age in Place. They can be quite a difficult subject for us to discuss with others or for us to consider for ourselves, but it is vital we have the discussion and make decisions at the right time.

When is the right time for a stair lift? In reality, probably before we actually need it.

If we can still climb the stairs safely and comfortably we should continue to do so. Going up and down stairs, and the exercise it provides, can be an important part of keeping our fitness.

We should therefore consider installing a stairlift with no, or little, intention of using it (at first). Should you have a temporary issue with mobility, an illness, or even just needing to take something heavy upstairs, it could be the difference between a temporary bed down stairs, or even a fall as you struggle.

• If you are in Oxfordshire or the surrounding counties, we recommend Re-Care, who offer stair lifts from HandiCare, as well as many other mobility products. Click Here to visit our page with their details.
• For national coverage we recommend HandiCare, who have a full range of products and great service.

FALL PREVENTION – Falling on the stairs is almost certain to result in a trip to hospital. Stair safety is paramount to staying in your home as long as possible.

While good lighting is important throughout the house, there are a few things that can make lighting better and easier in the hallway and on the stairs.

Motion- and sound-activated lights work wonders, especially in dim lighting and when our hands are full. A sound-activated light in the front hall can make things easier and safer when we come in through the front door. Just plug the light into the device and then plug the device directly into the wall socket.

Motion sensor lighting at the top and bottom of the staircase can also help to brighten things up when needed. If you don’t currently have an electrical socket installed in these areas, a qualified electrician will be able to offer advice and help in putting one in for you.

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.