00VILLA GUIDE
Adapting a villa for elderly parents
When elderly parents move in or stay for long periods, a villa’s stairs, slippery floors, step-in showers, heavy doors and dim corridors become obstacles. Many adaptations are simple and quick: securely fixed grab rails, better lighting, level thresholds, easier handles and controls that are simple to use. Planning them together — ideally with the people who will use them — avoids a series of piecemeal fixes and makes the house feel designed rather than patched.
01PART
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are where falls happen most. Grab rails need fixings into solid backing, not just tile. Non-slip floors, a shower seat and a level entry help.
- Fit rails into solid backing.
- Consider non-slip finishes.
- Check shower thresholds.
02PART
Lighting and floors
Bright, even lighting on stairs and corridors, with switches at both ends, reduces trips. Loose tiles, lifting floorboards and rugs are hazards.
- Add lighting on stairs and corridors.
- Fix loose tiles and boards.
- Consider night lights.
03PART
Controls and access
AC controllers, intercoms and door handles should be easy to use. A ground-floor bedroom with an accessible bathroom may be worth creating.
- Simplify controls where possible.
- Check door handles and locks.
- Consider a ground-floor suite.
04QUESTIONS
- Can grab rails go on tiled walls?
- Yes, with fixings into solid backing behind the tile.
- Is a stairlift possible?
- Often, depending on the staircase; a specialist assesses it.
- What lighting helps most?
- Even lighting on stairs and paths at night.
- Can a ground-floor room become a bedroom suite?
- Often, if a bathroom can be added or adapted nearby; water supply and drainage routes decide what is practical.
- Are lever handles easier?
- Yes, lever handles are generally easier than round knobs for people with weaker grip.