According to the WHO, adults older than 60 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls. So, making smart and safe flooring choices is super important for elderly people.
Old age is a sensitive phase; older people need care and comfort to lead healthy lives without worries and anxiety. And it becomes important for the family to look around their home and assess what may be a safety hazard.
So, whether building a new home or remodeling the old one, consider several factors to make homes friendly and safe for the elderly, especially the bathrooms.
We all know a wet bathroom can seem scary for the elderly as the dampness could get tricky and lead to slippery accidents. Thus, choosing the right bathroom flooring becomes quintessential with the elderly being around.
Here are some key factors to consider while choosing the right floor tiles for your bathrooms.
As we all know, bathrooms are problematic spaces due to dampness. There is always a risk of slipping in slimy and wet bathrooms. As our elders grow old, their ability to control their grip reduces, and their vision is compromised.
This restricts them from making judgments while moving inside the bathrooms. That is why choosing floor tiles with a high COF (Coefficient of Friction) value should opt for bathroom flooring. COF values represent the resistance of sliding two surfaces in contact with each other. The higher the value, the higher the resistance to slip. This factor should be the prime point of focus while purchasing tiles for bathroom flooring.
In bathrooms, regardless of age, careful consideration should be given to the finish of the tiles. While glossy tiles are an excellent choice for bathroom walls, due to their property of being impervious to water, they are certainly not the right choice for the bathroom flooring.
As the name suggests, Glossy tiles have a gloss, a shiny polish that trickles down all the water. This makes them super slippery, which is why their COF values are low. Bathroom flooring tiles with a matte finish will have a higher COF value and are resistant to slip. Therefore, choosing flooring tiles with a matte finish will be an apt decision for the safety of the elderly.
Also, learn what is trending in Bathroom Tiles?
In the case of older people living on their own, germ free environment is considered appropriate. As we grow old, our bodies do not possess the same vigor to clean and maintain the upkeep of the home. Minimal furniture, simple wardrobes, and tidy spaces are preferred. The same house philosophy must be carried over to their bathrooms as well. Installing tiles that are easy to clean makes way to maintain the bathrooms effortlessly.
For homes that have families with extreme age groups, there is enough work in hand anyway. That’s where Orientbell Tiles’ germ-free tiles comes in the picture. They are manufactured using an antimicrobial layer that fights against germs, killing 99% of them upon contact. Germ-free tiles are especially used in places such as bathrooms and kitchens which may remain wet for long periods and are prone to germ infestation
As mentioned earlier, the elderly prefer living with modesty, which applies to every aspect of their lives. For them, less is more. Bright and colorful designs may not be as soothing for them as they would be for the younger generations. When one grows old, their minds tend to get finicky, and it may even bother them to see too many elements. Hence, keeping the designs simple will work well for them and give them a sense of calmness.
Old age brings about a lot of changes in the eyesight. Moreover, their vision becomes incompatible with the colors and textures that are too bright. Thus, choosing muted colors for bathroom flooring would be a much-preferred choice for homes with the elderly and kids. It may also not allow them to see things clearly, which could bring about a gap in their judgment. On the other hand, light-colored tiles will make the bathrooms look more spacious and well-lit even in the daylight.
Also, do not forget to check how you can make a small bathroom look bigger.
We hope you found our ideas useful! If you want beautiful tiles for your home, then look no further. Visit the nearest tile store to pick the right flooring for your home, or you can also try the tiles online and see how they look in your place in real-time by using our TriaLook feature.