To many people, moving to a bungalow makes good sense — if aching or immobile joints become a problem then a life without stairs is not only simpler, but also much safer.
However, experts warn that making that move too early can actually hasten the decline associated with old age, leading to a phenomenon now being dubbed ‘bungalow leg’.
The term refers to the gradual weakening of muscles in the leg, which is often apparent in people who have moved to a single-storey dwelling and are living without the challenge of stairs.
When you stop doing things, you lose the ability to do them, says Victoria Rendle, a physiotherapist based in Devon, who specialises in treating elderly patients [File photo]