What to include in Granny annexe

[user746016]

If you were going to have a separate granny annexe in the garden is there anything in particular you would want to include. Obviously know the basics but I'm thinking things like maybe a grab rail in the bathroom, a separate bit of patio space outside the door etc.

Intercom (baby alarm)
Movement sensing night lights
Granny

Walk in shower with a seat

How tall is the person using it?
If shorter or frail then perhaps a step in the kitchen to reach high cupboards. I've seen some inbuilt ones that pull out from the kickboard or lowest drawer for example.

Raised toilet seat (some elderly people find regular toilets too low). A wet room rather than a traditional bath and shower. My elderly mum is currently having one put in and she’s asked for a second shower head near to the wash basin so she can have her hair washed more easily.

Elderly friendly induction hob that can’t be left on accidentally.

Simple remote controls and telephone which aren’t confusing for user.

Complete level access, no steps at all.
Motion lights outside
Agree with patio space and perhaps a raised bed or two they can access to garden if that is something they would enjoy.
Accessible bathroom and loo.
Tap levers in sinks, so much easier to use when you are elderly and consider door handles too.
Raised plug sockets so they don’t have to bend down to plug in appliances.
Also think about fridge, fridge on top and freezer below easier to access for the elderly.

Once granny has moved in you can always get OT to come and asses for grab rails etc as they are expert in knowing where to put them and most councils will pay for them to be done.

For myself

i had an accident a couple of years ago which has taken a long time to recover from & a couple of health issue causing problems.

at the time of the accident I needed a few 'aids' but I don't now. I'm glad I only had temporary ones as I'm fighting against feeling older than I am. I would find any 'aids' depressing.

id like a walk in shower with as small a lip as possible ( has to be very high here as concrete floors so I put in a bath with shower over it)

Due to having acquired slight vertigo & losing correcting balance I need the floors to be as level & smooth change as possible.

as well as everything else, I'm short (under 5ft) so when I redo the kitchen I'm getting the sink and work surfaces as low as possible (whilst still fitting a dishwasher etc underneath). If I could I'd get a low eye level oven.

each individual will need/want different things though I wouldn't rush into putting 'aids' or 'elderly assistance' stuff in until someone living there needs them (just make them aware you're very happy to do what the need when the time comes)

I would very very much appreciate having a laundry area. Independence is so important.

Based on my parents current needs aged just 70 and 71..... In an ideal world:

Completely flat access, no steps at all on entering, exiting or in the property.
Parking space right outside the front door with wide access for the doors to be fully opened. Oh, and consider what car you/they want and whether it is easy to get a travel scooter in and out... I think they are on car 3 and considering the 4th.
Slightly wider doorframes for wheelchair access (for future proofing if not currently needed).
Walk in wet room, fold down shower seat, raised toilet seat height, toilet seat rails that can be lifted, adjustable sink height.
Adjustable height kitchen worktop.
Waist height oven.
Place to park an electric mobility scooter for safe dry storage and a socket for recharging it.
Rooms that are large enough to move furniture if more mobility aids / carers are required ie getting in and out of bed, so it isn't too close to a wall for someone to be assisted / legs to swing etc.
Consider what alarm systems you may want - pendants, cameras or just Alexas which can call you if asked to.
Ring type doorbell.
Outdoor parcel box - parents struggle to get to the door in time for busy delivery drivers, so parcels are frequently returned to the depot / delivered late. It's a mare.

My parents are young for this but with one parent with osteoporosis and cancer, and the other with arthritis and awaiting a double hip replacement it's a bit of an eye opener for the future....

For me access to level garden/patio/deck area & raised beds 💕

and as @MsFaversham said, lever taps (my grip is getting weaker) Fridge top/freezer bottom 60/40.

somethings people have suggested I'd hate though, so keep in mind who it's for & their needs.

wet rooms bring their own issues. If you put one in go for either a semi or edged shower area away from the toilet.

whatever you do in the bathroom, try to keep the toilet away from the wall. (So people can help or aids can be added.

I prefer normal toilets, higher ones are difficult for me ( plus you can add a higher seat/aid later if necessary)

try to keep it as a normal annexe rather than an adapted for disability space.

In my Dad's retirement flat the light switches are all big square things and light up around the edge at night (not a bright light). It means if he needs to get up in the night he can easily see where the switches are to put the lights on. I believe you can also get motion sensored night lights?

All the cupboards in the flat have lights in them that come on when you open the doors. Makes it very easy for him to find things and put things away.

Make sure there is enough space around the toilet for a toilet frame to go.

Remote control electric window blinds. Very useful when you're feeling a bit poorly and can't get out of bed but want some sun light in the room.

Do you mean a pre fab shed or a proper conventional construction building? Either way, good heating and insulation are important with individual controls for each room and separate from the main heating system in your home so she can have the heating on when you don’t . That may sound obvious but you really need good, efficient heating that isn’t expensive to run. It is miserable being cold.

Consider a sit in bath designed especially for elderly as we have found that a lot of older relatives wouldn't use a shower and preferred a bath.

It might be useful to look at this (a charity): https://livingmadeeasy.org.uk/

As well as what other posters have said:

Properly non-slip flooring throughout. No rugs or other trip hazards. If having a patio outside that should be non-slip, too- not slippy wooden decking. Perhaps covered porch/awning over part of patio so that older person can get from car/scooter to front door, and find their keys etc in the dry. Previous poster's suggestion of box for deliveries = very good idea.

Ideally, bathroom/loo to be easily accessible from bedroom, for night-time visits.

PP's suggestion of laundry area= another good idea.

Window fixings as well as door handles and tap handles that old person can manage.

Consider old person's attitude to/aptitude for technology. There are all sorts of clever remote controls for all sorts of devices, but some are small and fiddly. I know a 90+ person who can manage tech-controlled devices really, really well, but also a 70+ who has very little patience with them

Building Regulations now also have various requirements for all new and some converted buildings - though NOT extensions - to accomodate people with limited mobility : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-and-use-of-buildings-approved-document-m

This advice note from the National House Building Council lists all the topics that are covered by accessibility Building Regs, although many/most of them won't apply to a private dwelling. Your architect will be able to advise.
https://www.newbuildinspections.com/knowledgebase/nhbc-part-m-disabled-access-regulations-uk/

Flat entrance, wide doors, grab rails in bathroom (disguised as towel rails if needed), low profile shower and non slip tiles. Most other features can be retrofitted as required.

I'm in a bungalow designed for people with disabilities or over 50s (HA).

All the plug sockets are high and the light switches are low. The doors are all 1 metre wide.

I had what was, supposedly, a wet room but after years of problems the landlord agreed to put a bath in. I have a lightbulb that has a motion detector so I don't need to turn on the bathroom light.

Don't raise the toilet seat unless the person needs it, I'm 5ft 0 so when I sit on a normal toilet my feet are not flat on the floor.

I have alexa and most of my lights are controlled by that.

Either have a low kitchen work top that can be used sitting down or from a wheelchair or have one that moves.

Enough space to turn a mobility scooter around.

I would love a Japanese toilet that washes and dries you.

Some way to communicate with people in the main residence.

No light switches, use sensors instead. Game changer for anyone

Consider if a traditional cooker is needed or would air fryer/microwave be more convenient. Using an air fryer has got some safety benefits against a traditional cooker.

A socket for a dyson type and a socket for a roomba.

Thanks all, this is helpful. It's a brick built building so will be well insulated etc. The heating is electric panel heating since we are not on mains gas so that is easy to operate, plus there is a log burner in there already.