Staying in your own home Making sure you live somewhere that works for your needs can help you stay safe and well at home for longer. Living safely and well at home For many people, their own home is where they’d like to enjoy later life. Taking some time to think about how you could adapt or improve your home to meet your needs, now and in future, could help you stay in it for longer. There are also various forms of home help or home care services that can support you in your own home. Checking your home is right for your needs To check your home works as well for you now as it did when you bought it, try the Housing Options for Older People (HOOP) tool, created by UK Charity, the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC). It’s a useful ‘housing MOT’ to get you thinking about your home and how you live in it. Home care aids and equipment Paying for equipment Support at home Home care aids and equipment 01 Everyday tools From help to open jars and button up clothes to making it easier to prepare and eat meals, some gadgets are specially designed to make everyday life a little easier. They can help you to live safely and independently at home for as long as possible 02 Walking aids If you’re beginning to feel less steady on your feet around the house or out and about, a walking aid could help. Wheelchairs or walking frames are often available on free long-term loan through your GP. If you need equipment that isn't available via your GP, you may need to pay for this yourself. To understand how you might cover these costs, use our Care Costs Calculator. Talk to them for more information about support available through the NHS. 03 Bathroom equipment It’s often in our bathrooms where we first start to notice our homes becoming less accessible to us. Finding it hard to get in and out of the bath is a common struggle for a lot of older people with conditions such as arthritis. Seats for the shower, grip mats for slippery surfaces or walk-in baths are all options to help keep your bathroom easy to use. 04 Telecare alarms and technology Telecare or 'alarm' services usually involve wearing a pendant around your neck or wrist, making it easy for you to raise the alarm if you fall or feel unwell. The latest ‘smart technology’ gives you more ways than ever to stay safe and connected to family and friends. There’s now smart lighting to automatically light a room as you walk in or pressure pads to raise the alarm if you fall. You can even set up advanced telecare services to speak to a trained nurse or carer for advice and reassurance when you need it. 05 Finding aids and equipment Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) is a UK charity specialising in helping older and disabled people find the aids, equipment, and technology they need to live safely and independently at home. Their Living Made Easy website is a free database of specialist equipment for later life. Visit the Living Made Easy website Need help? Find local help to you Whether you need some help at home, or want to find out more about Care Homes in your area, our Finding Care tool can help. Finding care tool How to pay for improvements If you want to find out how you could pay to adapt your home, use our Care Costs Calculator. Calculate my home improvements Living independently If you want to continue living independently, but in a community with care close to hand, you may be interested in an Inspired Village. Other care housing Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Accessibility Legal and regulatory information Privacy policy Cookie policy Security information Sitemap All our websites About us Making a complaint Group website Modern Slavery Statement Careers © Legal & General Group plc 2021 This Website uses Cookies We use cookies to make this website work, and to understand how you use it. This helps us to improve our service and your online experience. Cookies may also collect limited data about your interactions with websites that we may use to provide you with specific content, or to share relevant offers on other websites and social media. You can read our cookie policy to find out more about the cookies that we will store on your computer or device. You can easily customise your cookie settings at any time by using the link at the bottom of our website. For the best experience, we recommend that you accept all cookies. Customise Cookie Settings ✓ Accept All Cookies