If you’re a senior or you have a senior living in your home, it’s important to take time to consider what type of flooring is ideal. There are flooring options that can reduce the risk of falls (and injuries). There are also flooring options that can increase the risk. And, this is something that should be taken seriously. According to the CDC, “About 36 million older adults fall each year—resulting in more than 32,000 deaths.” Falls can pose a real danger for seniors. Thankfully, there are things you can do to lower this risk.
Removing clutter from your home and winding up loose cords can reduce tripping hazards. It’s important to wear shoes with supportive soles or gripper socks when walking around inside. And, as mentioned above, your flooring can make a difference.
There are four flooring choices that are typically recommended for seniors: vinyl, rubber, carpet, and cork. When determining the right flooring option, there are many things to consider. You’ll want to think about what room the flooring will be installed in (is it a high traffic area or is there lots of moisture in the room, for example).
You also want to consider how hard or soft the floor is in case a senior should fall. In addition, you need to know whether the flooring you choose presents any trip or fall hazards. And, it’s important to consider whether your senior uses a walker or a wheelchair and what flooring may be easier for them to get around on. One more thing you’ll want to think about when purchasing flooring is the environment you want to create. You don’t have to sacrifice style to improve safety.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the four recommended flooring options:
Vinyl
Vinyl is beautiful. It can mimic the appearance of hardwood or tile. It’s waterproof making it a great option for pretty much any room. It comes in a range of prices and can be purchased affordably. Vinyl flooring usually offers traction too, making it slip-resistant. The only real downfall with vinyl is that it provides a harder surface than the other options in this blog. That means if a person falls, the flooring won’t soften the blow. However, it’s not as hard as tile or natural stone which can pose even more danger. If you do want vinyl and want to add a little more cushion, consider an underlayment such as cork.
Rubber
Overall, rubber flooring offers a lot of perks. It has slip resistance. It can reduce injury from falls since it’s softer. It offers a good level of comfort. You can find rubber flooring in a variety of colors. And, it’s water-resistant. Rubber is often considered one of the safest flooring options for seniors. In fact, it’s frequently installed in nursing homes and senior living facilities.
Carpet
Carpet is soft and helps trap warmth. When professionally installed, it has a smooth surface. Carpet offers traction, making it slip-resistant. If a person should fall, they’ll land on a comfortable surface that provides some cushioning. The only dilemma with carpet is that some prefer to avoid it because of dust accumulation (however you can ask us about our hypoallergenic options). Carpet may also pose an issue for those with wheelchairs or walkers.
Cork
Like the other types of flooring listed, cork is slip-resistant. It’s a soft flooring option, which can make it less damaging in the event of a fall. However, cork flooring doesn’t typically last as long as many other flooring options. It’s also prone to dents, cracks, and dings. Cork flooring shouldn’t be used in rooms that have high humidity, because it isn’t waterproof. If cork flooring gets wet, it swells and creates an uneven floor (which makes it easy to trip).
All of these floors options are relatively easy to maintain. However, carpet requires the most maintenance, so if you’re looking for the lowest maintenance option, you may want to avoid it. Otherwise, each flooring option mentioned can be a good choice for seniors. It’s best to avoid harder floors or those that can pose slip and fall hazards such as tile, natural stone, or area rugs. If you choose to have an area rug in your home, make sure it has a non-slip backing.
We hope this article helped you narrow down your flooring options as you consider how to make your home safer for aging-in-place. We’d love to answer any additional questions you may have and help you choose the right flooring. Please visit us at Carpets America.