Safety and home
Non-slip flooring
Non-slip flooring is flooring or a floor treatment that gives better grip, especially when wet. It includes textured tile, slip-resistant coatings, and adhesive strips or mats in tubs and showers. It lowers the chance of slips and falls. It is most useful in bathrooms, kitchens and entryways, where water makes floors slick.
Why it matters for your family
Wet bathrooms and kitchens cause many slips. The National Institute on Aging advises nonskid adhesive strips, decals or mats in the tub and shower, and next to the tub, toilet and sink on uncarpeted floors. Families should also remove loose rugs or fix them down. AARP says Original Medicare typically does not pay for nonslip flooring. A common mistake is to use a loose bath mat without a rubber backing. It can slide. Another is to wax floors until they are slick. Check mats for wear. A caregiver can watch for spills and clutter during visits. Ask a contractor about slip ratings for permanent work.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Read more: What is Home Care? How to Benefit from These Services?
Related terms
- Fall preventionFall prevention is the set of steps that lower the chance an older adult will fall.
- Home safety assessmentA home safety assessment is a room-by-room check of a home for hazards that could cause falls or injuries.
- Home modificationsHome modifications are changes to a house that make it safer and easier to use for an older adult or a person with a disability.
- Grab barsGrab bars are sturdy handles fixed to a wall, usually in a bathroom, that give a person something solid to hold when standing, sitting or stepping.
- Shower chairA shower chair is a waterproof seat for use in a shower or tub.
- Fall riskFall risk is the chance that a person will fall and be hurt.
