Advice needed - Flooring in home for 89/90 year old? (moving, dating, cost)

[imcurious]

For health purposes, wood flooring, no carpet, and no synthetic materials. Carpet collects filth, easily, and synthetic materials off-gas. Some nice wood flooring will be perfect. I would think it might improve his health and well-being right away.

And no throw rugs for that population!

[accufitgolf]

Do not confuse the newer viny sheel flooring products with the older linoleum products. They are like day and night difference.

[Bette]

The living room is small but is connected to the dining room (smaller). The living room is a step down and the dining room is on the same level as when you walk in.

So, I'm not sure if it should all be the same or not. It sound like the vinyl sheeting would be great for the kitchen. There is a small eat in area in the kitchen.

The existing flooring in the kitchen is hideous. I honestly have never seen anything like it.

But, then again, my parents had an aqua kitchen (puke) at one time. Sorry if you like aqua but you had to be there

This is after having such a stately home in the Chicago suburbs.

Title should be: Will take a look.

[Sunnydee]

There is a new kind of linoleum flooring that looks like hardwood, but it's actually linoleum. It's easy to clean up wet and dry messes and looks pretty darn good. You might want to check that out because this might be the perfect application for this product.

[theoldnorthstate]

a friend of mine is in a wheel chair and had to replace her flooring because the chair made ruts in the carpet and laminate.

don't know if this is a factor but she chose tile and wood as being more sturdy and retaining its integrity.

OTOH, I fell and fortunately hit on the hardwood and didn't break anything. It it had been the tile I probably would have broken a hip.

so guess it depends as well on mobility.

[GLS]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

You won't find much carpeting in the living areas of a nursing home and there is a reason for that. Go out to an upscale elder care facility near your home and look around and get some ideas.

I agree completely. Having had many clients that were skilled nursing facilities, I recommend flooring that is easy to clean and disinfect. We also use flooring smooth enough that a patient can scoot their walker across without getting stuck, but very slightly textured to prevent falls when it is wet.

[RiverBird]

Vinyl flooring when wet - slippery.

Carpeting, even wall to wall good quality like Berber -
Anyone wearing soft-soled shoes like sneakers can easily catch the toe on the nap and fall forward and down - esp on stairs. My late elderly mother fell twice on carpet, my ex-MIL did too and wound up in a cast.

Marmoleum - softer, all natural version of real linoleum; can be installed in floating squares, not slippery when wet.

Cork - good surface for standing on; can be installed in floating squares, easy to clean, does not "catch" like carpet and does not have a smooth surface like vinyl that can be slippery when wet.

[daydreamin71]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Given his age, I'd recommend some form of low-nap carpeting. It's easier to walk on, provides better traction, would cushion possible falls, is quieter and warmer under foot. If treated against stains and cleaned approximately every six months it can be kept/made reasonably hygenic.

Exactly - low nap carpeting. The elderly can slip very easily on wood or tile. The carpet would help prevent falls, keep the floor warmer and provide cushion. And the low nap will be easier to clean than deep shag. No area rugs, due to the risk for falls.

[daydreamin71]

Originally Posted by Wilson513

You won't find much carpeting in the living areas of a nursing home and there is a reason for that. Go out to an upscale elder care facility near your home and look around and get some ideas.

Part of the reason for this is to enable the frequent, 'hospital-grade' cleaning needed in nursing homes, which generally isn't needed in private homes. Most flooring products often found in private households wouldn't hold up to that type of cleaning.

[M3 Mitch]

I would suggest wood flooring at least in an area where he eats. I have never understood carpet in kitchens or dining rooms.