FURNITURE & INTERIORS


NO PLACE LIKE HOME


In the midst of the current ageing population crisis, housing reform must be a national priority. Professor Glenda Cook, Director of the Better Living in Later Life Research Group at Northumbria University and spokesperson for Stiltz Homeliſts, discusses.


Britain is on the cusp of a demographic shiſt that will define the next generation of health and social care policy. Nearly one in five people in the UK, or approximately 13 million, are aged 65 and over. By 2050, that figure is expected to rise to one in four. Yet our housing, health, and community infrastructure remain woefully unprepared for the realities of an ageing population.


At the heart of this crisis lies an uncomfortable truth: older adults are being forced into choices that compromise their independence and quality of life. Too many face the prospect of staying in homes that are no longer safe or suitable or leaving behind their communities to move into residential care. Today, around 440,000 people live in care homes – many not by choice but by necessity.


The government, led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has acknowledged the challenge. Promises to enhance community- based care and reduce reliance on hospitals and care homes are welcome. But these ambitions cannot be realised without fundamental reform in housing policy and investment in home adaptation.


Only 9% of homes in the UK meet even the most basic accessibility criteria. Features like level thresholds, wider doorways, and step-free access – essential for people with mobility issues – are still not standard in new builds. Planning regulations continue to lag behind demographic needs, and retrofitting homes is often expensive, poorly funded, and complex to navigate.


The human impact is significant. A home is more than just shelter – it is a space that supports mental wellbeing, fosters


independence, and promotes social connection. Research shows that 60% of people would feel devastated if forced to leave their homes. Displacement can accelerate both physical and cognitive decline, weakening social ties and increasing dependence on overstretched health and care systems.


However, this crisis is not without solutions. Adapting homes to support ageing in place through accessible bathrooms, stair-free design, and the use of home liſt technology is not only achievable but oſten far more cost-effective than long-term residential care. Yet awareness remains low, and financial support is patchy at best. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), although helpful, is limited in scope and oſten excludes renters or those in mixed- tenure housing.


This is where government leadership is urgently needed. First, DFG funding must be expanded and eligibility widened to support a proactive and preventive approach. Second, new housing developments should be legally required to meet higher accessibility standards. With the government's ambition to build 1.5m new homes, embedding age-friendly design now would ensure we are not creating the next generation of inaccessible housing stock.


Alongside these structural reforms, we must do more to raise public and professional awareness of the benefits of home adaptation and the technologies available to support it. Innovation in the private sector, such as modern home liſts, has the potential to transform lives but remains underutilised. Partnerships between housing, health, and social care providers are also essential to delivering integrated, person- centred support.


Community infrastructure must evolve, too. Ensuring that older people remain socially connected and physically active within their local communities is crucial for delaying care needs and reducing health inequalities. Ageing in place should not mean isolation but instead empowered independence.


This is more than a housing issue. It is an economic imperative, a public health challenge, and a test of our collective values. Supporting people to live safely and well in their own homes reduces pressure on the NHS, cuts costs for social care, and enhances individual dignity and autonomy.


As the clock ticks on this demographic time bomb, complacency is no longer an option. We must act – decisively and collaboratively – to make Britain a place where people can grow older with security, independence, and pride in the communities they helped build.


www.stiltz.co.uk 26 www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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