The need for accessible, thoughtfully designed housing for older adults is increasingly important – by 2041, there will be around 14.2 million individuals over 65 in the UK, up from 10.4 million this year.
For older adults, accessibility, mobility, and social connectedness are essential components of a supportive living environment. In response, designers, policymakers, and developers need to focus on ways to adapt housing in ways that support these needs.
This article explores the challenges and needs surrounding accessible housing for the UK’s aging population. We’ll also look at potential policy changes and campaigning that may help to increase supply.
The Need for Age-Friendly Housing in the UK
Older adults face various physical limitations which require modifications in living spaces that can accommodate their needs and enhance safety, while preserving their independence.
However, the current housing stock in the UK was largely built without this population shift in mind, with few homes offering the necessary features to support older adults. In fact, Inside Housing reports that more than one million homes across the country are occupied by residents that need adaptations but are going without – and that even homes built specifically for older residents are not always fit for purpose.
Further, research conducted by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2019 showed that 24% of over 55s were considering moving home but a lack of suitable options were preventing 49% of them from doing so. Ground floor living and adaptability were the most important design features that participants were looking for.
Many participants also said they were looking to downsize. If more options were available to them, this would free up more housing for younger families that are struggling to get on the property ladder.
Another important consideration is the trend for young people to relocate to larger towns and cities, with small to medium sized towns and villages being the preference for older adults. While the shortage of age friendly housing is still an issue in cities, significant funding will be required in less populated areas. The South East of England is the region projected to be most affected by 2041.
Providing age-friendly housing would also save the NHS a lot of money as the risk of hazards would be reduced thanks to the use of age friendly design principles.
Principles of Age-Friendly Housing Design
Accessibility
Ensuring that homes are easily navigable for people with mobility challenges is crucial. This includes zero-step entrances, wider doorways, and open floor plans that facilitate the use of mobility aids. Pathways leading to the entrance should also be flat, stable, and well-lit, ideally equipped with handrails for added safety.
Adaptability
Homes that are easily modifiable can better support older residents. For example, designs that allow for retrofitting assistive technology or converting spaces as needs change can significantly prolong the time an older adult can live independently. It has been argued that a portion of all new homes built should be easily adaptable in this way.
The ability to fit shower seats, higher toilets, and lever-style taps are also beneficial for individuals with reduced mobility or strength.
Lighting and Flooring
Older adults require brighter lighting, especially in areas like hallways and staircases. Adjustable, layered lighting, combined with non-slip, glare-resistant flooring, can prevent trips and falls. In addition, contrasting colours on floors, walls, and doors can improve visibility and orientation for those with visual impairments.
Bathroom Modifications
Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, and bathrooms are amongst the most common locations for falls. Age-friendly homes should include features like non-slip flooring, grab bars, and lever handles instead of traditional doorknobs. Walk-in showers and easily reachable controls are some other options.
Kitchen Modifications
Older adults may benefit from accessible cabinets, pull-down shelves, and induction hobs to reduce the risk of burns and fires. Counter heights should be adjusted to accommodate seated users, while lighting should be strong to help with tasks.
Community Integration
Social isolation is a serious issue amongst older adults. Designs that encourage interaction with neighbours, such as shared communal spaces, and accessibility to public transport can promote a sense of belonging and psychological well-being.
Government Policies for Accessible and Age-Friendly Housing
The Lifetime Homes Standard
The 1990s saw the introduction of the Lifetime Homes Standard, which set out specific criteria for adaptable homes that could meet the needs of residents throughout their lives.
Some of these criteria were incorporated into Part M of the Building Regulations and cover 16 attributes of a property, as follows:
- Parking
- The approach to the dwelling from parking
- Approach to all entrances
- Entrances
- Communal stairs and lifts
- Internal doorways and hallways
- Circulation space
- Entrance level living space
- Potential for entrance level bed space
- Entrance level WC and shower drainage
- WC and bathroom walls
- Stairs and potential through-floor lift in dwelling
- Potential for fitting of hoists in bedroom/bathroom
- Bathrooms
- Glazing and window handle heights
- Location of service controls
In 2020, a consultation took place with a view to further raise accessibility standards of new homes.
The Lifetime Homes Standard is not mandatory, however, and not enough developers are building compliant properties voluntarily for the country’s needs to be met. In fact, some research suggests that 32% of local authorities still do not have clear policies to support housing for seniors.
The Disabled Facilities Grant
The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) offers funding for older adults to make necessary modifications to their existing homes. While this helps individuals in need, it’s not enough to address the issue at scale. However, raising awareness of this opportunity would help more individuals in the short-term.
Changes to Planning Policy
In recent years, the government has been urged to change planning policy to address the shortage of housing for older people. For example, councils could be required to detail the need for different types of housing suited to older people in their local plans, including both adapted mainstream housing and specialist housing.
Updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have failed to truly reflect stakeholder concerns, however. In 2018, the NPPF placed greater emphasis on the need for local authorities to assess the needs of older people compared to previous iterations and in 2023, more detail was added about some of the types of housing that could address older people’s needs. However, guidance on planning such housing has not been updated.
Campaigns
Various organisations are campaigning for change, such as the Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA) which have suggested a 15-point plan to address housing needs of ageing population.
There’s also the ‘Fit for Our Future Campaign’ – a partnership between several organisations including Foundations (the national body for Disabled Facilities Grants and home improvement agencies in England), various housing providers, and other organisations. The campaign works with Housing Associations to improve the accessibility and adaptability of properties.
The Older People’s Housing Taskforce
In 2023, the government launched the Older People’s Housing Taskforce which has since been meeting regularly. Key areas of reform suggested (relating to Integrated Retirement Communities – as opposed to adaptable mainstream housing), include:
- Funding options for affordable housing-with-care provision: It was suggested that, even though most customers in the housing-with-care sector will be able to access housing equity, all older individuals should be able to access this type of accommodation – regardless of their means or housing wealth.
- Clarity in the planning system: Improvements in the definition of housing-with-care within the planning system have been called for. Currently, unclear definitions make it much harder to build such accommodation compared to care homes.
Time will reveal the taskforce’s further progress, and we will see if the government implements any of their recommendations.
Innovative Housing Models for Older Adults
There are several additional housing models to consider that may help address the needs of the aging population and increase supply and connectivity.
Co-Housing Communities
Co-housing communities are gaining traction in the UK. These communities consist of private homes with separate units for residents and shared spaces such as kitchens, gardens, and common rooms, where residents can interact regularly. They can also contained mixed tenures and members of different generations.
Renovated properties sometimes become co-housing, helping to make use of existing units and increase the overall supply of housing.
Intergenerational Housing Models
Intergenerational housing can instil a sense of community and provide mutual support across age groups. This approach involves integrating housing for older adults with that of younger generations, promoting shared resources and intergenerational engagement. These models are often easier to implement in urban areas, where housing density makes such integration more feasible.
Conclusion
Accessible housing is an essential factor in supporting an aging population, enabling older adults to live with dignity, safety, and autonomy. The design principles are already in-place for developers to implement, but perhaps policy changes and incentivisation is required to ensure an adequate proportion of new housing is truly fit for older individuals to reside in.
At SDS, we provide development consultancy services and housing development software, built upon decades of industry expertise. Housing Associations and private developers use our solutions to streamline every stage of development – from viability to Project Management. To learn more or request a demo, contact us today.
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