As our loved ones get on in years their needs can evolve. It’s important to make sure they have as much freedom and independence as their health will allow and that can mean making some changes to their environment to make it easier on them. These can be relatively simple additions or they may require significant installations of assistive products. Whether they’re staying in their own home or moving into yours there are a few things to keep in mind that can make their home more senior-friendly.

Safety First

As we get older we become more prone to injury and take longer to heal. Making sure our loved ones don’t hurt themselves is the top priority for any renovations. Begin first in the bathroom where most slippery tubs and surfaces can cause issues. Adding grab bars and shower chairs can be great first steps to make sure falls are minimized. Bathroom and kitchens can also benefit from non-slip flooring rather than tile or hardwood that could pose dangers.

For the rest of the house carpet works well but make sure they have a good rubber backing so they can grip the floor beneath them well. For carpets or area rugs without backing put in rug pads or carpet tape to keep them in place. All carpets and rugs should be tight and secure. Additionally, watch for transition spaces and make sure they’re even or ramped well to prevent tripping. Stairs should have adequate handrails and not have rugs at the top or bottom – for those having trouble climbing stairs consider installing a chair lift.

Easy Maintenance

Once safety issues have been worked out concentrate on enhancements that can make cleaning easier. Vinyl and tile work well but, again, should be variants that aren’t prone to becoming slippery. If you want to preserve that gorgeous hardwood floor it may be best to temporarily cover it with carpet to make cleaning up easier and make damage to the wood less likely.

Seniors deserve all the support they need to maintain as active a life as they can manage. With the right changes we can help them do just that. If you’d like to take a look at flooring options that are senior-friendly contact us at Tony’s Flooring Centre today!