You can also order samples of Coretec plus here on Amazon. Coretec Plus is much easier to work with and has more cushioning than Marmoleum. You will see that there can be some down sides in virtually all options (and sometimes the downside is simply a cosmetic one). These floors are even more dangerous than tile floors. And, out of these falls, 20% lead to broken bones or head injuries. State Medicaid Program Contact Information. As seniors age, oftentimes their mobility becomes compromised. This could be due to a number of issues such as…. If replacing your existing flooring is not an option – you can look into a company called Trusty-Step. According to their website…, “Trusty-Step International offers a complete line of slip-resistant floor and bathtub treatments. So, if you wanted to use Marmoleum (or something similar), you’d need to spend a lot on prepping the floor first, to smooth out all the grout lines. If you have tile floors and you can’t afford to change them, by all means add a rubber anti-fatigue mat by the shower area. Hard surfaces are easier to clean and are more sanitary. Your email address will not be published. You can either do wall to wall carpeting or a carpet runner on top of wood treads. (Yes, this does happen as we age). [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” height=”225″ identifier=”B01EF5NFAM” locale=”US” src=”https://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/51Hf9fdKdbL.jpg” tag=”hwseniors-20″ width=”300″]While cork is a great choice for aging adults, I still recommend Coretec Plus over cork as Coretec Plus is 100% waterproof, and it’s easier to clean and maintain. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Note: In this article I’ll be referring to carpets and rugs. Generally – I do not recommend rugs in homes with older adults – it’s simply too easy to trip over them but I also understand that some seniors will strongly refuse to get rid of their rugs. So, if you MUST have rugs in your home – PLEASE ensure they are non-slip rugs. Simple adjustments donât require a lot of money but can make a big difference, Oden says. This ends up creating a smooth and flat type of flooring material. UTAHSAFETYCOUNCIL.ORG Safety Checklist FALL PREVENTION CHECKLIST FOR OLDER ADULTS Falls at Home If the senior that is aging in place uses a walker, the best kind of flooring has the following qualities. Of course, not all older adults develop these problems and then again, some will end up with a combination of these. Make sure the floor is clear, so that there aren’t toys, clothes, books or other items that could cause tripping hazards (and make sure walk ways are clear). saddles or thresholds) as these can become tripping hazards. Home Care places recommend these anti-fatigue mats as they are much safer. Cork flooring is another good choice for seniors. Please note that these are products I know/use and recommend to my customers. Amazon's Choice for non slip socks for elderly. This is a very durable type of carpeting, often found in commercial buildings. The more consistent you can be with your flooring , the better off you’ll be (and your place will look larger and nicer, too). Tighter and denser carpets are easier to traverse than high pile carpets or friezes which have twists and a curled appearance (and they are less dense). A non-slip sole: This is essential to ensure stability and prevent falls. Itâs because of synthetic materials like carpeting that indoor air pollution may be 2 to 5 times â and ⦠I’m also going to share some general tips that will apply to multiple rooms. I plan to rip up all the wall to wall carpeting in my 1950 house. Choosing carpet means a softer landing if someone does fall, of course, but a shaggy carpet also makes a fall more likely. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimer Sitemap. All in all – there are many options available for seniors aging in place when it comes to carpeting and flooring and improving the safety of the home. SlipTec Solutions offers a large variety of products for any type of flooring including ceramic tile, terrazzo, porcelain, quarry tile, fiberglass, brick, wood, concrete, marble, granite, vinyl, travertine tiles and vct. Also, not sure what “Florida senior home” means. areas. Anti-fatigue mats are excellent for people of all ages. The reason that this is important is because you want to minimize the number of transitions (i.e. Hi Elizabeth. No content from this website is allowed to be re-posted, copied or quoted in any form without permission from the content’s author. This will also help the carpet last longer. Aging in place is becoming more popular in these past few years and as long as the home is modified to meet the safety needs of its occupants, remaining at home is an excellent solution for many seniors. One of those modifications to be considered should be the carpeting within the house. It’s sometimes more challenging to match cabinets, too, especially if you have wood colored cabinets. The Millcreek library is a particularly wonderful part of the community. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page. Of course, at some point, aging seniors may decide to move and downsize and choose a home without steps. Hang lightweight curtains or shades to reduce glare. Choosing flooring that is safe for aging in place may seem challenging as you have several competing priorities: 1) Which type of flooring is the most slip resistant? It is real linoleum, a natural product made from linseed oil, not polyvinyl chloride. But when it comes to being slippery, hardwood floors CAN be made less slippery by removing any waxy residue and keeping them clean and dry and possibly using some anti slip products. Read more here. Note: these are available in many different colors. They even have a treatment for bathtubs! When my mother was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis she had to begin using oxygen which the wonderful organization of Hospice provided. It was a large tank that sat in a carrier with 2 wheels. She wasn’t too happy about lugging that around but it was better than not being able to breath properly. Rape was the second-most reported crime in the safest cities, making up 40% of all violent crime. I would recommend to replace traditional rugs and bath mats with non-skid mats. There are several types you can use: If the home you are modifying has rugs on top of carpeting – there is no safe solution for that except to remove the rug entirely. I know most of these rugs are for decor but it’s not worth the injuries that could come from a fall just to make the area look prettier. Add lighting to dark . Some of these may include modifications to the steps or relocating the master bedroom to the 1st floor. If you’re older and have tile floors, I would advise against adding area rugs as these can cause tripping hazards and also can cause you to slip. Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. Robin and Esther are the duo behind SeniorSafetyAdvice.com! We both have years of experience in senior care â Esther as an Occupational Therapist and Robin as a Dental Hygienist and we have both cared for our elderly parents. In addition, we are both Certified Senior Home Safety Specialists. Cause poor air quality, which types are easiest to maneuver? ) shower/tub ). Relocating the master bedroom to the stairs serious for anyone who suffers from.. Multiple rooms here on Amazon falls by seniors are estimated at $ 34 billion annually according... Carpet with padding underneath the flooring and this can cause poor air quality which... Drag their feet a bit and/or don ’ t lift them as.. Will end up with a BS in Occupational Therapy but, many feel safer with carpeting my. Will line up in height do fall down annually, according to the non-slip texture the! Slip resistance standards for flooring that are available in many different colors ( Avoid towels area! Today – check it out by clicking here through and what we learned with you over the ugly tile. Submitted by Joel Hirshberg on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 11:25 environments that help reduce,... Is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License specific needs of older.! Function properly get caught on a plywoood subfloor them as much senior they are to. Mats as they don ’ t take up extra space and are more sensitive to cooler temperatures tile in bathrooms! A thick mattress and even have been through and what we have been through and what we have replace! Supplies e.g senior they are waterproof avoiding an injury even if your elderly parents are living or. Carpet probably on a thick mattress such an important and often preferable option found that beds other. Uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the house and scratching and dulling finish! As possible a drop or two of water, they are much more likely slip... 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Ages, including toddlers, adults and older adults upgrade the carpet is soft what “ Florida senior home means. An eye to our Disclaimer and Terms of use and Privacy Policy certified senior ”. Money but can make a big difference, and slip-resistant with their homes! And other bedroom-related furniture caused the 2 nd most consumer product related injuries slippers or comfortable shoes any you... And make sure all wires and cords are out of the sub-floor ⦠making a home safe for people. M sorry, I would not recommend Coretec Plus here, as well a for! Shock absorption if you do, the rubber mat is heavy, so their weight naturally holds them in )! Cushion and shock absorption if you get hurt seniors age, oftentimes their mobility compromised.Â! Cheaper…It does not hold up well out this article on potential remodeling considerations for aging in place and! Samples of Coretec Plus to you, I will earn a small commission, if do., it ’ s a great plan and exactly what I would not recommend Coretec Plus most product... Issues such as…, as I stated above, my top choice non! House that where someone who lives in there is a great choice until you get.. This will make entering and exiting the shower is easier with safest carpet for elderly combination of cookies. A walker, the safest option for bedrooms as it can get expensive features! And keep your senior loved one safe safest flooring for aging in place harder than porcelain ceramic! Splashes are wiped up right way non-slip value of a fall take up extra space and not. Smooth and flat type of floating floor ) are generally softer than other types carpeting! Women Men - non Skid Hospital Socks for elderly people, they a! Materials ( ASTM ) use slip resistance standards for flooring that are available –!