Practical ideas for independent living

Everyone’s home should be a place of comfort and safety. For some people, everyday tasks can become harder due to age, illness, or disability. The right equipment or small changes at home can make a big difference – helping you or a loved one stay independent for longer.

Explore our Virtual House

We are aware of an issue affecting our Virtual House and are working to resolve it. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Our interactive Virtual House lets you move through each room and discover ideas, products, and equipment that could help make daily tasks around your home easier. As you take a tour through the house you can see examples of equipment, assistive technology and sensory aids which can help to make daily tasks around the home easier. As you move around the rooms you will find information about each item including where it can be purchased.

How to use

• walk through the house at your own pace.
• click on items to learn how they could help with everyday tasks.
• see real examples of practical solutions, from the kitchen to the bathroom and beyond.
• find information about each item including where it can be purchased.

Whether you are exploring for yourself, a family member, or someone you care for, the Virtual House is a simple way to see what’s possible.

Not sure what’s right for you?

If you’d like more personalised advice, you can also try Ask Sara – an easy-to-use online tool. Just answer a few questions about your needs, and it will suggest tailored solutions and ideas to support you.

Together, these tools are here to help you make informed choices about staying safe, comfortable, and independent at home.

Help using the Virtual House

If you have any problems accessing or using the Virtual House, try the following:

• Devices: The tour works best on a computer, laptop, or tablet. You can also use a smartphone, but the screen may feel small.
• Browser tips: Use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox for the best experience.
• Loading issues: If the Virtual House doesn’t load, refresh the page or try a different browser.
• Navigation: Use your mouse, touchscreen, or arrow keys to move around the house. Click or tap on the highlighted items to learn more.
• Accessibility: If you find the tour difficult to use, you can still explore independent living ideas through Ask Sara, which provides the same information in a step-by-step format.