Nearly 50% of social housing households include someone with a long-term health condition. And yet home adaptations are still seen as an afterthought, writes Laura Wood Director of Invisible Creations. We can do better than that.
I talk about accessible and adaptable design because I have to. Because I’ve seen what happens when we don’t. Because of Sheila, my gran. She’s the reason I do this, the reason I fight for better.
Sheila was fiercely independent, but as she got older, small things became big things. Steps she climbed every day turned into barriers. The bathroom she’d used for years became a risk. And yet, no one had designed her home with any of that in mind.
Like so many others, Sheila was left in a system that reacts when it’s too late. We wait for the fall, the hospital visit, the crisis – then we scramble for a solution. But why? Why aren’t we designing homes that grow with us? That support us before we need them to?
That’s why we launched the Fit for Our Future campaign. Because we need to stop thinking about accessible housing as something separate or ‘specialist’. It’s just smart design. And it’s time we made it the norm.
The truth about our homes
Nearly 50% of social housing households include someone with a long-term health condition. And yet, home adaptations are still seen as an afterthought. The numbers don’t lie:
- Over 80s are the fastest-growing age group in the UK.
- 91% of people aged over 65 live in mainstream housing, not specialist homes.
- Most of those homes were never designed for ageing, reduced mobility, or changing health needs.
This isn’t a future problem. It’s a right-now problem. And if we don’t address it, we’re setting ourselves up for failure.
When the system fails, people suffer
The Housing Ombudsman’s Severe Maladministration report (Jan 2025) exposed just how devastating inaction can be:
- A child undergoing chemotherapy waited over two years for a bathroom adaptation that could have reduced infection risks.
- A disabled resident was stuck in one room for eight years because accessibility features weren’t installed.
- A tenant went 14 months without bathing facilities, despite clear recommendations from an Occupational Therapist.
These aren’t just unfortunate cases. They are systemic failures. And they are happening everywhere, every day.
The change we need
We need to stop patching up problems and start preventing them. Here’s how:
1. Mainstream Inclusive Design
Every home—new and existing—should be built with adaptability in mind. Not as an optional extra, but as standard.
- A toilet roll holder that’s also a grab rail.
- A shower shelf that prevents a fall.
- Stylish, seamless adaptations that blend into modern design.
This isn’t complicated. It’s common sense.
2. Proactive, Not Reactive
Right now, home adaptations happen in response to crisis. That needs to change. If we integrate accessible features before they’re needed, we can keep people safe, independent, and out of hospital in the first place.
- Falls are one of the leading causes of hospitalisation and death in older adults.
- Most falls are preventable if homes are designed correctly.
- Early intervention saves lives—and money.
3. Future-Proofing Existing Homes
91% of older people are living in homes that were never designed for ageing. We can’t ignore that.
- We need to retrofit homes now, not later.
- Every void property should be upgraded before the next tenant moves in.
- Housing providers must think long-term—not just short-term fixes.
This isn’t just about accessibility. It’s about dignity, independence, and quality of life.
Fit for Our Future: The Campaign
This is why Fit for Our Future exists. We’re bringing together innovative design, proactive planning, and collaborative action to make sure homes are:
- Functional and discreet—adaptations that don’t scream ‘clinical’.
- Anticipatory, not reactive—built for changing needs, not emergency fixes.
- Designed with tenants, for tenants—because people deserve homes that truly work for them.
Through workshops, expert insights, and real action, we’re making sure inclusive design isn’t just talked about—it’s implemented.
Don’t wait until it’s too late
We all know someone like Sheila. Someone who deserves better. Someone who shouldn’t have to fight for a home that works for them.
We have a choice. We can either keep ignoring the problem, or we can step up and fix it before it’s too late.
- If you’re in housing—make inclusive design a priority.
- If you’re in government—push for policies that demand smarter, more adaptable homes.
- If you’re a decision-maker—stop looking at the short-term and invest in long-term solutions.
Because one day, we’ll all need a home that works with us—not against us. And when that time comes, will we be glad we acted now, or will we regret waiting?
Let’s build homes that are truly fit for our future.
