Ageing in place: Adapting your home for mobility, comfort and independence
You may have heard the term ‘ageing in place’ when it comes to making plans for future living arrangements.
According to an article in A Healthy Built Environment For An Ageing Population, 63% of respondents agreed that they wanted to “stay put in their current home”, while almost 90% wanted to “live independently as long as possible.”1
What does ageing in place mean?
Ageing in place means continuing to live in your own home as you get older, while adapting your surroundings to support your changing needs.2 A home that is easier to navigate and navigate independently might include installing a walk-in shower because stepping over the side of a bath has become more difficult, improving lighting to make it easier to move around at night, or choosing a mobility chair to support easier movements between sitting and standing.3
At its heart, ageing in place is about being able to stay in a home that feels familiar, and comfortable as your needs change, rather than having to move somewhere unfamiliar because your home is no longer meeting your daily needs.
Riser recliner chairs
When thinking about ageing in place, structural changes are often the first consideration, such as stairlifts. However, the furniture you use every day can also play an important role. An electric riser recliner chair combines powered reclining with a lifting mechanism that gently raises the seat to help you move from sitting towards standing, making this movement more manageable.4
Getting in and out of a chair can become more challenging as lower-limb strength and mobility change. Research has found that older adults with a history of falls tend to have reduced lower-limb muscle power and take longer to perform sit-to-stand movements.5
Riser recliners can offer both practical support and a comfortable place to relax throughout the day. With adjustable positioning, you can find a position that feels right for reading, watching television or simply putting your feet up.
Choosing the best riser recliner chair for your needs
Size and fit
When choosing a riser recliner, the chair’s dimensions should be suited to your body size to provide the right level of support and comfort. Key factors include seat height, allowing your feet to rest comfortably on the floor; seat width, providing enough room without encouraging slouching; and seat depth, supporting your thighs without putting pressure behind your knees. 6
Additional features
A modern electric riser recliner armchair can include optional features designed to provide additional comfort and convenience, such as:
Massage functions can offer more than relaxation for older adults. Research involving adults aged 65 and over found that a massage-chair-based programme was associated with improvements in lower-limb strength, balance, gait speed and chair-stand performance.7
Built-in USB charging ports allow you to charge phones, tablets and other devices without leaving your chair.
Integrated storage pockets keep everyday essentials such as remote controls, reading glasses and magazines within easy reach, providing easier accessibility and helping make everyday tasks more comfortable and manageable.
Adjustable beds
Your bedroom is another important area to consider when planning for ageing in place. An adjustable bed can offer greater comfort by allowing you to find a sleeping or resting position that suits you, whether you’re looking for additional support due to conditions such as GORD, neck pain, scoliosis or arthritis, or simply want greater comfort while resting.
An adjustable bed allows different sections of the mattress base to be electronically positioned, allowing you to raise the head and upper body, adjust the leg position or find a combination that provides greater comfort when resting.
Adapting your bedroom for mobility
Small changes can also make the bedroom easier and safer to navigate. Consider the following:
Keeping pathways clear between the bed and the door.
Removing loose rugs and other potential trip hazards.
Ensuring there is good lighting around the bed.
Using low-level or motion-sensor lighting on the route to the bathroom.
Keeping essential items such as glasses, medication, water and a phone within easy reach.
Considering appropriate bed rails or support handles where suitable.
Your mobility bed, your way
Ageing in place is about creating a home that can adapt alongside you. At Charterhouse Mobility, our bespoke adjustable beds can be personalised with features designed to support comfort, mobility and independence as your needs change.
Castor wheels – greater flexibility: Easily move your bed when needed, giving you more flexibility when cleaning, rearranging your bedroom or adapting your space over time.
Storage options – essentials within reach: Keep everyday items such as glasses, medication, water and your phone close at hand, helping reduce unnecessary reaching and making daily routines easier.
Handrails and guard rails – added support: Handrails provide a stable point to hold when getting in and out of bed, while guard rails can offer additional security during the night. These features can be particularly helpful for anyone who finds balance or movement more challenging.
For some people, raising the bed into a more suitable position can make getting in and out of bed safer and easier.⁸
Assess your current needs
Before making changes, take a look around your home and think about how well it works for you now, as well as how your needs may change over time. Take the time to consider:
Everyday activities: Are there tasks such as sitting down, standing up, resting or getting in and out of bed that are becoming more challenging?
Confidence and mobility: Are there areas where you feel less steady or confident moving around your home?
Comfort and support: Would additional support for your back, legs or posture make everyday activities more comfortable?
Your surroundings: Are there trip hazards, obstacles or dark areas that could be made easier to navigate?
Planning ahead: Which adaptations could make a difference now, and which might become useful as your mobility or circumstances change?
Once you have identified the areas where you could benefit from additional support, prioritise the changes that are likely to have the greatest impact. If you spend the majority of time sitting, this could mean starting with a riser recliner to make sitting and standing easier, or if you are struggling most with comfort or getting in and out of bed, an adjustable bed to improve comfort and accessibility in the bedroom. Other adaptations can then be introduced over time as your needs evolve.
Funding and financial support
Planning for ageing in place can feel like a big investment, particularly when you’re considering several changes to your home. If you’re worried about the cost, there may be ways to make adaptations and furniture upgrades more affordable, depending on your circumstances.
VAT exemption
You may be eligible to purchase certain Charterhouse Mobility products without paying VAT if you meet the requirements set out by HMRC. This can apply where products are being purchased for use by someone who is disabled or has a long-term illness.¹⁰
£375 trade-in discount
Charterhouse Mobility also offers a £375 trade-in discount to help make upgrading your furniture easier.
When you purchase new furniture from us, we can remove your existing furniture and prepare the space for your new delivery, taking the hassle out of replacing old with new. Your trade-in discount is applied directly to the cost of your new purchase, helping you get more value from your existing furniture.
Final thoughts
Ageing in place is about creating a home where you can continue to feel comfortable, supported and independent as your needs change. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The right solutions will depend on your individual needs and how you will use your home every day.
If you are considering mobility furniture as part of your plans for your home adaptations, speak to a member of the professional Charterhouse Mobility team who can talk you through our free home demonstration and guide you through the available options, showcasing accessories, fabric choices, and taking precise measurements to ensure the chair is perfectly sized and suited to your loved one’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important adaptations for ageing in place?
There is no single set of adaptations that will suit everyone. The most useful changes will depend on your home and individual needs. Common adaptations include accessible bathrooms, improved lighting, stair aids, clear walkways, suitable seating and bedroom adaptations such as adjustable beds.
How can a riser recliner help with ageing in place?
A rise and recline chair can make moving between sitting and standing easier by using a powered lifting mechanism to raise the seat. It can also provide adjustable positioning for comfortable sitting and reclining.
How can an adjustable bed help with ageing in place?
An adjustable bed allows you to change the position of sections of the bed electronically. Raising the head or legs can help you find a more comfortable resting position and may make getting in and out of bed easier for some people.
Do I need to make major changes to my home to age in place?
Not necessarily. Ageing in place can involve a combination of small and larger changes. Removing trip hazards, improving lighting or changing your furniture may be enough to make everyday activities easier, while larger adaptations can be introduced if your needs change.
When should I start planning home adaptations?
It is worth considering adaptations before they become essential. Planning ahead gives you more time to research your options, consider your budget and involve the person who will be using the adaptations in the decision-making process.
References
Mulliner, E., Riley, M. and Maliene, V. (2020) ‘Older People’s Preferences for Housing and Environment Characteristics’, Sustainability, 12(14), 5723. doi: 10.3390/su12145723. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/14/5723
National Institute on Aging (2023) Aging in Place: Growing Older at Home. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-old-home
Lou, S.-Z., You, J.-Y., Tsai, Y.-C. and Chen, Y.-C. (2021) ‘Effects of different assistive seats on ability of elderly in sit-to-stand and back-to-sit movements’, Healthcare, 9(4), 485. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9040485. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8074617/
Ratnayake, M., Lukas, S., Brathwaite, S., Neave, J. and Henry, H. (2022) ‘Aging in Place: Are We Prepared?’, Delaware Journal of Public Health, 8(3), pp. 28–31. doi: 10.32481/djph.2022.08.007. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9495472/
Cheng, Y.-Y., Wei, S.-H., Chen, P.-Y., Tsai, M.-W., Cheng, I.-C., Liu, D.-H. and Kao, C.-L. (2014) ‘Can sit-to-stand lower limb muscle power predict fall status?’, Gait & Posture, 40(3), pp. 403–407. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.05.064. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24974126/
Blackler, A., Brophy, C., O’Reilly, M. and Chamorro-Koc, M. (2018) ‘Seating in aged care: Physical fit, independence and comfort’, SAGE Open Medicine, 6, 2050312117744925. doi: 10.1177/2050312117744925. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5758957/
Kim, Y., Kang, S., Kim, M., Kim, J. and Youn, B.-Y. (2025) ‘Effect of the BFR-7211 on lower limb muscle strength in older adults: A randomized controlled trial’, The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 29(12), 100692. doi: 10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100692. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41056838/
Coman, R.L., Caponecchia, C. and McIntosh, A.S. (2018) ‘Manual Handling in Aged Care: Impact of Environment-related Interventions on Mobility’, Safety and Health at Work, 9(4), pp. 372–380. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2018.02.003. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6284187/
Cha, S.-M. (2025) ‘A Systematic Review of Home Modifications for Aging in Place in Older Adults’, Healthcare, 13(7), 752. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13070752. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11988477/
HM Revenue & Customs (2019) Get VAT relief on certain goods if you have a disability. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-relief-on-certain-goods-if-you-have-a-disability
