Perhaps your elderly relative is coming to stay for a few months and you are concerned about your home not being suitable for someone with mobility issues, or maybe it is you that is finding it difficult to move around the house. Either way, here are a few things you can do to make your home more comfortable for a person with mobility issues.

1. Stairlift – Just because you struggle to climb the stairs, that doesn’t mean you have to give up the use of the second floor. Installing a stairlift is not such a major project if you find the right supplier and if you have an elderly relative coming to stay, you can rent the stairlift for as long as you need it.

2. Walking frame – Made from lightweight aluminium, a walking frame helps a person move from room to room and with adjustable legs and non-clip rubber feet, this is a safe way to move around the house or the garden. Buy two and keep one upstairs and your guest has total independence.

3. Buy a shower chair – Search online for a shower chair for elderly people and you can browse the various models, which are very affordable and your guests will be safe in the bathroom. The online supplier has you covered for many mobility aids, with rubber mats for the floor and handrails for toilet support. A simple but sturdy chair designed for a wet room makes all the difference and it can be easily moved to other rooms and used as a regular chair.

4. Think furniture placement – It might be that your furniture is arranged in such a way that a person with mobility issues might find challenging. Ideally, there should be at least 32 inches between major furniture items, so do relocate items you think need to be moved. Check doorways for raised surfaces, which are easy to trip over; ask a local carpenter to add some timber ramps. There are some great online resources to help you arrange your furniture in a mobility-friendly way. Click here for tips on dealing with tennis elbows.

5. Rent or buy a mobility scooter – This amazing vehicle can be used indoors and outside and can take up to 120kgs; easy to ride and charges from the main electric, today’s version of the mobility scooter ticks all the boxes. Rentals are very reasonable and servicing is usually free, which is great. To view a selection of mobility scooters, use Google to find a reputable supplier and then you can arrange a viewing appointment. You can rent by the month or week, whichever you prefer and they even have fold-up versions that fit in a car. Here is some more useful information on aged care in Australia.

The above ideas will help to make your home more mobile-friendly and when your elderly guest arrives, they will surely appreciate your efforts.