Flooring, Rugs and Trip Hazards in an Older Person's Home

Why floors cause falls

• Slippery surfaces, especially polished marble, granite, glossy vitrified tiles and wet floors.
• Uneven surfaces: cracks, raised tiles, uneven joins between rooms, worn carpets.
• Loose items: rugs, mats, cables, clutter, pets' items.
• Changes in level: thresholds, small steps and ramps.
• Visual confusion: patterned floors, dark mats that look like holes, shiny floors that look wet.
• Footwear: socks, loose slippers and smooth soles; see walking aids and footwear.
• Moisture: spills, wet footprints, leaks, damp in the monsoon.
• Ageing bodies: shuffling gait, reduced foot lift, poor balance and reduced sensation in the feet.

For the bigger picture, see preventing falls in older adults.

Choosing flooring

If you are renovating or choosing floors, think about safety first.

Good choices:

• Matt, textured, slip-resistant tiles, with a good grip rating, especially in bathrooms, kitchens and entrances. Look for anti-slip or "R10/R11" type ratings, or ask the supplier about slip resistance and for wet areas.
• Vinyl or rubber flooring with a non-slip surface, warm, cushioned and easy to clean; avoid glossy finishes.
• Cork and linoleum, which have good grip and some cushioning.
• Wooden floors with a matt, non-slip finish.
• Low-pile, firmly fixed carpet in bedrooms and living areas, with a thin, dense pile that does not catch walkers.

Poor choices:

• Polished marble, granite and glossy tiles, which are very slippery when wet or when worn in socks.
• Thick, deep-pile carpets that catch feet and walkers and make wheelchairs hard to push.
• Highly patterned floors, which confuse vision.
• Hard floors with shiny waxed finishes.

General: use the same floor colour and level throughout where possible, avoiding changes at doorways.

Treating existing floors

You do not have to replace floors to make them safer.

• Anti-slip treatments: chemical etching or coating that increases grip on tiles; ask a specialist, and test a small area.
• Anti-slip tape and strips at thresholds, steps and wet areas; see anti-slip tape and coatings.
• Non-slip mats where needed, fixed securely.
• Stop polishing floors to a high shine.
• Use matt floor cleaners, not wax or silicone polishes.
• Repair cracks, loose tiles and uneven joints.
• Fill small gaps and bevel raised edges at thresholds.
• Keep floors dry: wipe spills at once, use a squeegee in bathrooms and kitchens, fix leaks.

Rugs and mats

The rule for older people is simple: if a rug can move or curl, remove it.

• Remove loose rugs, dhurries and runners in walkways, living rooms and bedrooms, or fix them down completely.
• If you keep a rug: use a non-slip underlay or double-sided carpet tape across the whole area, keep edges flat, choose a thin, low-pile rug and place it away from doorways and paths.
• Door mats: use thin, flat, firmly fixed mats with bevelled edges, or recessed mats set into the floor.
• Bathroom mats: rubber-backed, with suction or a non-slip base, flat and heavy enough not to curl; replace when worn; see non-slip bath mats.
• Kitchen mats: anti-fatigue and non-slip, with bevelled edges.
• Avoid dark mats on light floors, which may look like holes, and busy patterns.
• Check regularly for curling edges, wear and slipping.

Cables, cords and clutter

• Cables: route them along walls, behind furniture or under cable covers; avoid trailing across floors. Move sockets or extension points closer to appliances.
• Telephone and charger cords: shorten and secure.
• Clutter: keep floors clear of shoes, bags, boxes, baskets, magazines and pets' toys; see decluttering for safety and calm.
• Furniture: keep walkways at least 90 cm wide, with 120 cm for walkers or wheelchairs.
• Low furniture, such as footstools and low tables, in walkways: move or remove.
• Pet beds and bowls: place away from paths.
• Laundry baskets and bags: store out of the way.

Thresholds and level changes

• Check each doorway for raised sills, small steps and uneven floor joins.
• Bevelled threshold strips or small ramps smooth changes up to a few centimetres; see portable ramps for thresholds.
• Mark thresholds with a contrasting colour.
• Remove unnecessary thresholds where possible, with a builder's help.
• Entrance steps need rails and good lighting; see stairs, steps and thresholds.
• Bathroom thresholds: a low, bevelled kerb or a flush floor, with the floor sloping gently to a drain.

Wet areas

• Bathrooms: non-slip floors, mats and strips; wipe the floor after bathing; keep a dry area for stepping out; see bathroom safety checklist for seniors and bathroom flooring and wet-floor safety.
• Kitchens: wipe spills immediately, use mats by the sink and stove.
• Entrances: wipe wet shoes, use a doormat, leave wet umbrellas outside; in the monsoon, a towel and a place to remove wet footwear.
• Balconies and terraces: drainage, non-slip surfaces; see garden, balcony and terrace safety.
• Leaks and damp: fix promptly; see damp, mould and pests.

Visual clarity

• Avoid patterns on floors, which can look like steps or holes.
• Use plain or subtly textured floors with a good contrast between floor and walls, with a skirting board to define edges.
• Avoid glare, by using matt finishes and controlling sunlight; see lighting and colour contrast at home.
• Use contrast at changes of level.
• Good lighting across the floor.

Footwear and the floor

• Never walk in socks on smooth floors. Use non-slip socks or supportive shoes.
• Wear shoes with a good grip indoors, if possible; see walking aids and footwear.
• Use a bench at the door to change shoes.
• Leave outdoor shoes at the door, with indoor shoes ready, with grips.
• Check walking aid tips for wear; see rubber tips for walking sticks.

Floors for walkers and wheelchairs

• Smooth, firm, level floors are easiest to use. Thick carpet and rugs are difficult.
• Hard floors need non-slip surfaces for the walker's feet and wheels.
• Threshold ramps and level floors ease movement.
• Wide, clear routes.

See two-wheeled walkers and wheelchair buying guide for India.

Dementia and low vision

People with dementia may misread dark mats as holes and shiny floors as water. Use plain, matt, even-coloured floors, avoid dark patches at doors, and keep a consistent colour between rooms; see orientation aids for memory loss and low vision home safety.

A floor safety checklist

• No loose rugs or curling mats; all fixed or removed.
• No cables across walkways.
• Walkways clear and at least 90 cm wide.
• Floors matt, non-slip and dry; no spills.
• Thresholds smooth, marked or ramped.
• Cracks and loose tiles repaired.
• Bathroom and kitchen mats rubber-backed and flat.
• Non-slip footwear worn indoors.
• Good lighting over floors.
• Regular checks, especially in the monsoon.

When to ask a professional

An occupational therapist can assess floors and trip hazards and advise on changes; see occupational therapy home assessment. A builder or flooring specialist can treat and repair floors. A physiotherapist can assess walking and footwear. Ask a doctor about dizziness or repeated falls. Our care advisors can arrange a home safety visit and source fittings.