Professor Glenda Cook, Director of the Better Living in Later Life Research Group at Northumbria University and spokesperson for Stiltz Homelifts, issues a stark warning:
“Ignoring the housing needs of our ageing population is no longer an option. Change is not only overdue—it is critical.”
Britain faces a demographic time bomb that demands immediate and sustained action. Around 13 million citizens—nearly one in five—are aged 65 and over. By 2050, this proportion will rise to one in four. Yet despite the scale of this demographic shift, our housing stock and community infrastructure remain dangerously ill-equipped to support an ageing society.
At present, hundreds of thousands of older adults face an unacceptable choice: remain in homes that no longer meet their needs or leave behind familiar surroundings for specialist accommodation. Already, 440,000 individuals have moved into care homes—many reluctantly—raising a fundamental question: Is this truly the best solution Britain can offer?
The Health Secretary, the Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, has recognised this challenge, pledging to strengthen community-based care to reduce reliance on hospitals and residential homes. However, achieving this vision requires more than funding promises; it necessitates a fundamental rethinking of how government, families, and communities support older people’s right to age in place.
The urgency is stark: only 9% of UK homes meet the most basic accessibility standards. Features such as level thresholds, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms, which can significantly prolong independent living, remain rare. Under current planning regulations, these features are not mandatory for new builds. Without decisive policy intervention, this shortfall will only deepen.
Why does this matter? For older citizens, a home is not merely a physical structure—it is an anchor of identity, mental well-being, and community connection. Research shows that over 40% of Britons see their home as central to their mental health, while 60% state they would feel ‘devastated’ if forced to relocate. Losing a familiar home often results in severing social ties, with evidence suggesting such disruption can accelerate cognitive decline and physical deterioration and drive up both NHS and social care costs.
The good news is that solutions are available and affordable if implemented proactively. Future-proofing homes—through adaptations such as accessible bathrooms, level access, and modern home lifts—can be significantly less costly than prolonged residential care. However, awareness of these options remains low, and financial support through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is insufficient and overly restrictive. Renters, in particular, face serious barriers, often unable to secure necessary adaptations.
To address this, urgent reforms are needed. The government must expand eligibility and significantly increase funding for grants that support home adaptations, ensuring interventions are proactive rather than crisis-driven. New housing developments should be mandated to incorporate age-friendly design features as a standard requirement, aligning with the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes. It is also essential to support private sector innovation and raise public awareness about the availability and benefits of adaptation technologies that can extend independent living. In parallel, efforts must strengthen community infrastructure, ensuring that older citizens remain socially connected and actively engaged within their local communities.
This is not merely a matter of individual well-being but a national economic imperative. Keeping older people healthy, independent, and connected reduces demands on health and social care services and strengthens community resilience.
Britain cannot afford complacency. Ageing in place must be recognised as a societal priority, integral to public health strategy, housing policy, and community planning. Delivering dignity, independence, and respect for older citizens is not just a moral obligation—it is a necessity for a sustainable future.
The clock is ticking. Policymakers must act decisively to ensure that Britain is a country where people can age with confidence, security, and pride in their communities.
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