The home and the built environment have an important influence on independence and quality of life of older people. However, while new facilities can be designed to be more socially inclusive, most of the housing stock and built environment already exists. Here there are particular challenges for research.

If the construction industry and government are to consider seriously the needs of older people then research has to demonstrate how adapting the existing built environment both contributes to improving quality of life and can be achieved without a major increase in costs.

A recently completed study has demonstrated that the adaptation of the existing homes of older people and the provision of personal assistive technologies can obviate the need for older people to move to either sheltered housing or residential care settings. In less extreme circumstances adaptations and assistive technology can reduce the need for the provision of care services, such as home nursing, personal care and domestic care.

Not only can adaptations and assistive technology substitute and supplement formal care services and thus increase independence and quality of life, but their provision can lead to a reduction in the overall costs incurred in caring for the individual.

The study provides strong evidence to support both government policy in relation to enhancing the independence of older people and the activities of those parts of the construction industry concerned with the design and delivery of adaptations to the home.