Deciding on applicable flooring for a senior liked one’s residence could make an unlimited distinction to their high quality of life, security and total wellbeing. Falls pose one of many biggest threats to senior adults – an estimated 25 out of 100 adults fall annually!
Flooring ought to present non-slip surfaces and cushioning ought to the one you love fall, in addition to being straightforward to stroll on for folks utilizing wheelchairs or different assisted mobility gadgets.
Carpet Tiles
Carpeting is among the hottest flooring selections for houses. Nonetheless, it is probably not secure for seniors residing there in areas the place they might slip or fall (akin to bogs and kitchens).
If you’d like a secure flooring choice that is straightforward to maintain clear and preserve, carpet tiles could also be your reply. With no adhesive crucial and varied colours and patterns to select from, putting in carpet tiles may make a sensible addition.
Rug runners will be a wonderful means so as to add shade with out making a everlasting dedication. As cost-effective alternate options to broadloom carpet, they’re simply eliminated or put in once more as wanted.
Carpet tiles present one other distinct benefit in that their decrease pile traps much less grime and particles, and plenty of function patterns or designs that assist conceal it to scale back monitoring all through a room.
Low-pile carpet tiles are available in varied trendy colours that make them appropriate for aging-in-place houses. As low-profile options, these carpet tiles don’t supply as a lot help, but stay snug sufficient for senior residents to stroll safely over.
Carpet is an insulator of heat and softness that may scale back the feeling of chilly toes in winter, particularly for aged people who’re extra delicate to temperature modifications than youthful people. This function of carpet could make an necessary contribution towards senior citizen care.
Carpet will be harmful when moist, rising the possibility of a senior falling on it and breaking a bone when falling, probably making it tougher for them to rise up with out help. If this issues you, safer flooring choices akin to Coretec Plus or Cork would supply extra forgiving surfaces that may assist.
Non-Skid Rugs
Carpeting for seniors should be chosen with care to reduce the chance of falls and accidents, whether or not reworking your house or just making it safer for your self. Many merchandise exist that may help on this endeavor – non-skid rugs particularly designed to scale back danger are one such product accessible that would assist.
Mats are available in varied sizes and colours, and can be utilized on most surfaces – nevertheless if putting instantly onto the ground they need to be protected with a rug pad or gripper product for further gripping energy.
One other different is silicone caulking to connect your rug to the ground, though that is usually cheaper and easier. Sadly, nevertheless, gripper merchandise have a tendency to supply superior outcomes when it comes to holding energy.
Caulking ought to at all times be utilized on surfaces which might be clear, dry, and freed from mould for optimum outcomes. Every 3″ ought to obtain caulking to extend maintain on its glue bond. A putty knife might provide help to flatten out bead beads to assist the glue keep put longer.
An efficient non-skid rug must be constructed of sturdy but low pile materials that may be machine washed. They arrive with varied lovely patterns for further influence when positioned on both hardwood or tile flooring.
These latex rubber rugs are appropriate for many flooring surfaces together with hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring. Moreover, they’re straightforward to take care of and might even be minimize to any measurement for optimum comfort.
Non-skid rugs are available in varied kinds and costs to satisfy any want, from budget-friendly PVC rugs to luxurious felt and rubber padded non-skid mats.
Non-slip tub mats for seniors will also be extraordinarily useful – significantly those that ceaselessly slip on moist surfaces.
This mat is right for showers and tubs, that includes thick foam layers on either side that supply most grip. Plus, it is machine-washable for simple care and is available in varied colours to enrich any lavatory decor!
Adhesive Rugs
In case your senior liked one prefers delicate, plush carpets for lounging on, wall-to-wall carpeting may very well be the perfect flooring alternative of their bed room. Nonetheless, this flooring should be commonly maintained and sanitized, as it may well accumulate an excessive amount of mud and particles that compromise indoor air high quality and result in well being points akin to allergic reactions.
Moreover, excessive pile carpet will be slippery and make it exhausting for aged people to stroll on or transfer a walker over it safely. To handle these issues, choosing a low pile carpet with ample traction must be the precedence.
Berber or different low-pile rugs supply each consolation and harm safety, making them safer than thicker rugs as a result of they’re much less more likely to bunch up and trigger journey hazards.
When choosing secure flooring choices for the one you love, it is important to maintain their room, the extent of foot visitors of their residing area and desired atmosphere in thoughts. As an illustration, resilient supplies like tile or vinyl might present optimum cleansing options whereas concurrently making life extra snug for seniors in care houses.
Colour and texture must also be thought-about when adorning any room. Darker rugs might help forestall falls by offering distinction that makes your flooring seem decrease than surrounding surfaces, probably serving to forestall falls from occurring.
Discover non-slip rug pads appropriate for any carpet kind to maintain it in place and discover them simply at most residence enchancment shops.
Use double-sided tape to connect the rug securely with out harming any of the wooden’s fibers. This methodology could also be particularly appropriate for seniors residing on hardwood flooring because it will not hurt the ground floor in any means.
When putting in your rug, make sure you use glue designed particularly for carpeting. Double-sided tape might rip off carpet materials and harm hardwood flooring if utilized instantly over it; so use solely adhesive designed particularly for carpet set up!
Throw Rugs
Throw rugs can add a singular and classy aptitude to your house, including shade, sample, and texture. Plus, their measurement makes them straightforward to maneuver from room to room because the seasons change!
When selecting the suitable rug on your area, keep in mind each its measurement and furnishings that it’ll cowl. If putting in entrance of a sofa or mattress, guarantee it covers most of its floor as it will forestall the furnishings from shifting round and damaging your flooring floor.
An necessary consideration when selecting the suitable rug is pile top; ideally it shouldn’t exceed 1/4 of an inch to keep away from turning into caught up on a walker, cane, or foot.
Padding must also be skinny in order to scale back slipperiness of the carpet underfoot and consequently tripping and falling dangers, which will be significantly painful for seniors.
Primarily based in your finances and wishes, choosing a sturdy and stain-resistant carpet choice may very well be key for making life simpler with youngsters and pets in the home. Carpet fibers have a tendency to gather mud, oil and particles that’s troublesome to take away.
Carpet with brief minimize pile and skinny padding beneath will be the most secure and most sturdy alternative on your residence, providing glorious sturdiness towards wear-and-tear in addition to being immune to stains. Plus, these carpets can deal with excessive volumes of visitors with out wanting worn down over time!
Buy a carpet pad to maintain the carpet safe and add a further layer of insulation, thus lowering tripping and fall accidents whereas making cleansing easier. This can even make cleansing the ground a lot easier!