Whatever our age or mobility, the home environment is one that must be adapted to the specific needs appropriate for those circumstances. That could be hazard proofing a home against dangers for toddlers, by installing a gate at the top of stairs; widening door frames to accommodate wheelchairs or laying non-slip flooring in showers, wet areas and bathrooms.
Falls in the home account for many of the injuries sustained by older people, and wet floors are a prime hazard. Non-slip flooring in key areas of the home isthereforehighly recommendedespecially for bathrooms, wet rooms, hallways and external terraces. Inside or outside, investing in non-slip flooring represents another layer of protection for the home over time.
Anywhere where floors can get damp, either indoors or outdoors, should be given extra attention with regard to the choice of finishes and materials.
There is absolutely no reduction in design options for non-slip flooring and as such we have put together a few ideas and suggestions to make the home more ‘senior friendly’.
There are several measurement systems that provide a reliable indication of the degree of non-slip properties: Coefficient of Friction (CoF), Floor Surface Roughness (Rz), The R Rating (Ramp Test Rating) and The ABC Rating (Ramp Test Bare Feet Rating).
The most common rating for tiled floors is the R Rating, undertaken on an inclined ramp surface with ratings varying from R9 (least slip resistant) to R13 (most slip-resistant). Common to all these approaches is the measurement of resistance to slipping on a wet surface. Porcelain tiles are an excellent option for non-slip flooring given the range of designs available and the R Ratings.
While clearly there are major differences, the principles of non-slip flooring are similar for outdoors as well as indoors. The specific properties that make them suitable are:
In preparation for getting older, there are some simple but highly efficient changes we can make in the bathroom. The senior-friendly bathroom should be designed for the mobility impaired, wider door frames, 32 inches is recommended to allow wheelchair access (81.5 cm), a level access shower, fitted grab rails and handles for WCs and baths. And choosing non-slip floor tiles is just another way to help ensure against potential accidents. The array of choices in terms of the non-slip tiles available means not compromising on the décor.
A larger format tile is recommended for non-slip bathroom flooring because the fewer the joints between the floor tiles the better. Nowadays the larger format porcelain tiles have practically no joints so there are fewer trip hazards. Another consideration would be the colour; a definite chromatic contrast with the bathroom artefacts (WC, grab rails, baths etc.), which are normally white, is a good idea. Grey, dark grey or beige can not only look very elegant in the bathroom but also provide sharper colour contrast and so help avoid falls.
Choosing a wet room rather than a wheelchair accessible bathroom may depend on the space available in the home. To accommodate a wheelchair-accessible WC the minimum recommended dimensions are 220 cm by 150 cm. The recommended dimensions for a bathroom with a walk-in shower that can be comfortably negotiated in a wheelchair are 230 cm by 240 cm. So converting a downstairs WC or an en-suite into a wet room might be a good idea for senior proofing your home.
Because of its composite nature, non-slip laminate flooring can be achieved by adding an extra layer. This non-slip surface finish is applied to the embellishment layer which lends the laminate flooring its appearance, often recreating the look of wood. The entrance hall, circulation corridors and the kitchen are the best places to install non slip laminate flooring. In addition, the properties of non-slip laminate flooring include:
Apart from non-slip porcelain tiles and laminate flooring, other options include:
