Today, one in five heads of household is someone over the age of 65. By 2035, that number will increase to one in three U.S. households. That’s an increase of over 30 million people in less than 20 years. Many of these baby boomer homeowners intend to age in place which means they will likely need to adapt their residences to fit changing lifestyle needs.
According to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 80 percent of remodeling companies are now doing ‘aging-in-place’ projects with sure-footed flooring among the top five most requested upgrades. Given that falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults, that makes perfect sense.
At Mannington, we manufacture hard surface flooring that can help older homeowners remain more sure-footed. Here are three examples:
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A key cause? Loose rugs that create slipping and tripping hazards. A better pick for older homeowners are patterned vinyl floors that are soft underfoot and eliminate the need for a rug from a design point-of-view. Deco resilient flooring is an authentic reproduction of 12-inch encaustic tiles and features a dramatic large format pattern of symmetrical intertwined florals. Deco creates lots of visual interest and a smooth, grout-free surface for easier walking or maneuvering with a walker or wheelchair.
82 percent of home buyers across the age spectrum want hardwood floors because of the natural beauty and warmth they bring to interiors. Real hardwood floors can go in almost any room of the house, so there is no need for bumpy transition from room-to-room which can create a tripping hazard. And Mannington hardwood floors come in a wide variety of colors and styles so there’s something for any décor. Shown here is Madison Oak. The cross-grain construction of this engineered hardwood flooring is far stronger than a single piece of solid wood and more structurally sound so wood planks won’t buckle, gap, cup or twist. This ensures a strong, even surface for navigating unassisted or with a cane, walker or wheelchair.
Water from a sink, shower or tub can turn the bathroom into the most dangerous room in the house, especially if homeowners are traversing across slick stone or ceramic tile floors. A better choice for older homeowners is Adura® Max Legacy luxury vinyl tile flooring that delivers the luxe look of marble in a more sure-footed way.
Floors like these can help seniors continue to live in their homes more safely and functionally, so they can age in place if they so desire. At Mannington, we believe that’s an option every person should have.
