World Mental Health Day, this month, is a timely reminder to check in on the wellbeing of loved ones and open a conversation around key aspects that can support good mental health such as accessibility, independence and the importance of feeling connected.
Anxiety, low mood and worries can creep in subtly if your relatives suddenly find their beloved home not meeting their developing needs and they won’t always discuss the help they need with you immediately.
We explore how focusing on three key areas can support health and happiness in the home, now, and for the future.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility at home means that everyone living there, regardless of age or physical ability, can go about their daily lives in comfort and safety, without restriction.
An accessible home creates a space where anyone who lives with mobility challenges – whether due to a disability, an illness, an age-related limitation or an accident or injury – has independence and freedom.
An accessible home promotes dignity and self-sufficiency without full reliance on others. Access extends beyond ramps and grab rails. It also means considering your physical ability to access all areas of your home unimpeded.
Stairs are the number one reason for falls as we age, so families often open a discussion about the installation of a modern home lift early on. Stair lifts are becoming less and less popular due to how they encroach on the stairs and frequently require maintenance, whereas modern home lifts, such as the Stiltz Home Elevator, are space saving and require no major building work with some being installed in as little as a couple of days.
Other areas to consider are the kitchen and the bathroom in terms of minimising reaching, crouching and bending. Eye level appliances can transform the way you use your kitchen efficiently and safely in later life. In the
bathroom, a comfort height toilet and a curb less recessed shower future-proof your facilities instantly.
Independence
Having personal independence quite literally means having the capacity to manage your own life and this includes handling daily tasks, making choices, and taking responsibility for your actions with anyone else being involved.
Self-reliance gives us a sense of dignity. When we feel able and equipped to take something on, we tend to view ourselves in a more positive light. Asking for or accepting help can feel uncomfortable. And research shows that when we lose independence, it can shake our confidence, too.
Most of us want to remain fully independent as we age and accessible design dramatically supports this. If you get it right, you can reduce the risk of falls, improve comfort and create an adapted space, avoiding the need to move into an assisted living residence.
The use of smart technology is a powerful way to protect and prolong independence. Options include installing Ring doorbells for easy two-way talk, to smart security systems and pre-programmed heating and lighting plans.
Feeling Connected
When you first enter retirement, some weeks feel long and some feel short, but seeing people 100% makes all of it better.
Book club on a Tuesday isn’t just about talking about the book, it’s a good old-fashioned catch-up and a chance to talk about the big subjects and put the world to rights. It’s the laughs, the arguments over who understood what, the coffee that goes cold while everyone chats.
Having family round for dinner is chaos, in the best way, with the kids running about, voices overlapping, everyone bringing something small but familiar to the table.
Looking after grandchildren is completely different. Messy, exhausting, but exhilarating when the little things become important from first steps, a cute question, or a bedtime story.
Coffee mornings in town are bustling and busy. You nod at people you see every week, catch up briefly at the till, maybe even sit in the same seat by the window that you always do. The familiarity is wholesome, stimulating and comforting.
None of this is organized or perfect, but when you fill your days with people, you feel connected, uplifted and completed.