Home and Comfort: Everyday Living Aids for Over-60s

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

Small, inexpensive changes around the house can make everyday jobs easier, safer and more comfortable in later life. This section explains what is worth buying, what to look for, roughly what it costs, and when you may be able to get it free.

How to use these guides

Each guide follows the same pattern: who the item helps, the main types, a checklist of what to look for, a rough price guide, safety points and the mistakes people most often make. We do not recommend particular brands or models. Instead we explain the features that matter, so you can judge any product in a shop or online for yourself.

Prices are broad, rough guides only. They change often, so treat them as a starting point and compare a few sellers before you buy. Our guide to comparing prices shows how.

Before you buy: you may not have to pay

If you are finding daily tasks hard, such as getting dressed, cooking, bathing or moving around the house, you can ask your local council for a free needs assessment. An occupational therapist (a health professional who helps people carry on with everyday activities, often shortened to OT) or a trained assessor looks at what you find difficult and what would help.

In England, if the assessment finds that you need a piece of equipment or a small change to your home costing less than £1,000, the council must provide it free of charge, whatever your income or savings. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, run by the council or, in Northern Ireland, the local Health and Social Care Trust, so ask what applies where you live. You can apply for a needs assessment on GOV.UK or by phoning your council's adult social care team.

Tip: Ask for the assessment before you spend your own money. Councils will not usually refund something you have already bought, and the assessor may suggest something better suited to you.

If you do buy for yourself and you have a long-term illness or disability, some items designed for disabled people can be bought without VAT. See our guide to VAT relief on mobility aids. It is also worth checking whether you could claim Attendance Allowance, which is not means-tested and can help with the extra costs of needing help at home.

Guides in this section

Kitchen and eating

Jar openers and kitchen aids — gadgets that take the strain when grip is weak or hands are painful.
Easy-pour kettles and kettle tippers — safer ways to make a hot drink without lifting a heavy kettle.
Easy-grip cutlery — thicker, lighter or angled handles that make mealtimes easier.

Dressing and footwear

Reachers and dressing aids — grabbers, sock aids, long shoe horns and button hooks.
Slippers and footwear — why backless slippers are a falls risk and what to wear instead.

Warmth, sleep and housework

Heated throws and electric blankets — safety, how to work out running costs, and when to replace.
Keeping warm for less — low-cost ways to stay warm and the help you can claim.
Adjustable beds — who they suit, what they cost and how to avoid a hard sell.
Lightweight vacuum cleaners — weight, cordless or corded, stick or upright.
Garden tools for older gardeners — long handles, light tools, kneelers and raised beds.

Health at home

Pill organisers — weekly boxes, reminders and what pharmacies can do to help.
Blood pressure monitors — choosing a validated monitor and the right cuff size.
Reading glasses and magnifiers — ready readers, magnifiers and when to see an optician.
Lighting for ageing eyes — brighter, more even light for reading, cooking and stairs.

Safety and peace of mind

Preventing falls at home — a room-by-room checklist and how NHS falls services can help.
Personal alarms — pendant alarms, council telecare and the digital landline change.
Key safes — letting carers and family in safely, and what "police approved" means.

Leisure

Large-print books, audiobooks and puzzles — free library services and easy-on-the-eye hobbies.

Related sections

For larger equipment such as walking frames, stairlifts and bathing aids, see our mobility aids buying guide. For phones, tablets and other gadgets, see tech made simple.

Common questions

Do I need a referral from my GP to get an occupational therapy assessment?

Not usually. You can contact your council's adult social care department yourself and ask for a needs assessment. A relative or carer can also ask on your behalf, with your agreement. Your GP surgery can refer you too, which is the usual route for NHS occupational therapy after an illness or a stay in hospital.

Is equipment from the council really free?

In England, equipment and minor adaptations costing less than £1,000 that you are assessed as needing are free. Larger adaptations may be means-tested. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check locally. Equipment is normally on loan and is collected when you no longer need it.

Where can I try things before buying?

Some areas have independent living centres or mobility shops with demonstration rooms where you can handle items before buying. Your council or local Age UK can tell you what is nearby. If you buy online, check the returns policy first; our guide to returns and refunds explains your rights.

Are cheap daily living aids safe to buy online?

Simple aids such as jar openers carry little risk. For anything electrical or anything that takes your weight, buy from a known UK retailer and look for the UKCA or CE mark. See buying on marketplaces for the extra checks to make with unfamiliar sellers.