Aging in Place? Here are the Top Flooring Choices for Safe Mobility
The Boomers are staying home. According to the American Association of Retired People (AARP), 87% of Americans would like to age in place. That means they want to remain in their current homes rather than move to assisted living communities or other living options as they age.
And, more often than not, that means remodeling their homes to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices typically needed to age in place. Sure, that involves ramps, wider doorways, and things like lower counters and cabinets. But it also means looking at the role flooring plays in the age-in-place trend.
Flooring and Mobility for Older Americans
Old, loose carpet can present a tripping hazard. Uneven transitions between flooring types can cause difficulty for wheelchairs and walkers. Decades-old vinyl flooring with peeling seams could be dangerous to someone with an unsteady gait. Flooring can be a real danger—and a hindrance to mobility—to people as they age.
Fortunately, removing those hazards is as simple as replacing old flooring. Today, we’ll share our top two choices for aging in place safely (and with style).
Armstrong® Luxe Plank™ Flooring
Safe doesn’t have to mean boring. Case in point: Armstrong Luxe Plank luxury vinyl flooring. Available in tile and exotic hardwood flooring looks, Luxe Plank is 100% waterproof, meaning it will stay smooth and attractive whether you install it in the bathroom, the kitchen, or anywhere else in your home. Just as importantly, the durable Luxe Plank surface resists scuffs and scratches, so there’s less to catch a cane, a toe, or anything else on.
Best of all, Armstrong Luxe Plank luxury vinyl flooring is available in both plank and tile. Want a modern tile look? This is your flooring. Prefer sleek hardwood flooring? Luxe Plank has you covered. When the SMART Carpet mobile flooring showroom arrives at your home, make sure to look at Luxe Plank in cool and sophisticated Soho Gray, rustic Gunstock, or the multi-color Lexington Slate look.
Carpet: Mohawk® Love the Loop™ Berber Carpet
If your home needs to be ready for you to age in place but you have no desire to give up the warmth and comfort of carpet, take a look at Mohawk’s Love the Loop Berber. This dense, level loop carpet is smooth enough to safely accommodate all kinds of mobility devices while offering a soft feel underfoot. That dense weave makes it easy to keep clean, too. Available in 16 attractive shades, there’s a Love the Loop Berber carpet for every room.
If you plan to age in place in New Jersey, Pennsylvania or New York, let’s get started on getting your home ready. Call SMART Carpet and Flooring at 1-800-526-RUGS (7847) to set up an in-home showing with our flooring experts. Don’t forget, we can handle everything from removal of your old flooring to financing and installation of your new floors!