For many of us, filling our first apartment or house with furnishings and decorations was a statement of our independence. After a while, carpeting wears out, styles change and we find ourselves reassessing our home surroundings. Because we're older and our families have grown, we start thinking about our environment differently, looking more for comfort than for ambiance, convenience rather than character. Gazing down the road a little further, we should be considering accessibility too.

There comes a time to reassess your home for changes that would mean increased independence. Whether you are redesigning for yourselves or for an aging family member, consider the physical and mental changes that are a natural part of the aging process. Then plan with those changes in mind. For example, we need more lighting as vision decreases; are there enough lighting fixtures to remove shadows from walkways and brighten the areas where you work and play?

The staff at Dynamic-Living.com has researched flooring, an important decorative element and an even more important component for accessibility. Here are some things to consider:

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Changes in flooring thickness require adjustments in gait that may present hazards.

• It is preferable to use the same flooring throughout as much of the home as possible. Some experts recommend low pile carpeting, even in the bathroom. It softens falls and offers slip resistance, particularly in wet areas like the bathroom and kitchen. Thick carpeting is harder to maintain and it causes too much drag on wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, rollators and canes.

• Lower or remove thresholds. If there is still a difference in surface heights, consider threshold ramps that bridge the change in height more incrementally. This makes it easier to walk or roll from room to room.

• Eliminate throw rugs, area rugs and scatter rugs or at least use a non-slip backing underneath to make them more secure. Replace worn carpeting, especially when it is frayed or has seams that have lifted.

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Color and pattern on a floor can affect how we respond physically. Without thinking, we interpret visual flooring cues that tell us where to walk and when to lift our feet.

• Contrasting colors create the illusion of differences in height, possibly providing a warning when the depth difference is real, or creating a tripping hazard when it isn't. Shiny floors could appear slippery or disturb depth perception, making walking on these surfaces tenuous and therefore uncomfortable and unsteady. In addition, natural light from a window can cause glare on the shiny surface, making it difficult to see and navigate.

• Patterns can present an array of challenges. For people with impaired thinking, large swirls can be confused with rope, blotches of color can represent lint or trash to be picked up, contrasting blocks of color might confuse depth perception. These illusions can cause a person with Alzheimers to hesitate when walking, sitting, or even become agitated or fearful. For people with visual impairments, these same patterns can make it difficult to tell where something begins or ends, causing tripping.

• Colors should be calming, rather than bright, preferably contrasting with the walls and molding to help prevent unnecessary bumps.

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In addition to hallways, every room has a path that is traveled frequently.

• Safety experts remind us to keep electric cords close to the wall and to remove small clutter from underfoot. For accessibility, however, clutter can include large items that could be bumped into, like hampers, magazine racks, planters, hassocks, coffee tables and waste baskets. Find an out of the way place to store walkers and other mobility aids when not in use, so they don't create barriers later.

• Furniture that has accumulated over the years can create barriers. If there are too many chairs, a pathway can become an obstacle course. Assess your true seating needs and eliminate the excess. Choose coverings that contrast to the flooring to provide visual cues and consider reducing fabric patterns that might cause confusion or distraction.

• If the furniture by the path could present a hazard, rearrange the room. Furniture is sometimes used for support along the way, so be sure to relocate chairs that rock or swivel and furniture on wheels. Lightweight dining chairs and standing lamps should not be relied on to assist with balance. Padded furniture will provide more cushioning in the event of a fall.

• Remove or pad bumping hazards. While concentrating on moving from here to there, it is easy to miss things that protrude: coat hooks, door handles, counter and cabinet edges, shelves, misplaced towel bars and grab bars. Replace worn magnet closure mechanisms for cabinets so they stay closed.

• Don't trip over your own shadow! Even in the daylight, make sure that paths and hallways are properly lit to minimize false visual cues. Use photoelectric nightlights or lamps on timers that automatically come on at dusk. Spotlights and lamp lighting can help to clearly indicate the right path.

• Make sure that all hallways and paths are accessible for you and your equipment or caregiver. This means a 4 foot radius to allow two people to walk side by side. Offset door hinges can widen doorway access to prevent scraped knuckles as you pass through with a walker. Or you might change room doors to pocket or French doors to maintain privacy while increasing access and making it easier to get to you if you fall behind the door.

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Decorating your house to make it a home is a very personal thing. Sometimes the path between and within a room is that last thing people think about. Don't overlook the contribution that appropriate flooring can make to your comfort and well being. Create pathways that are easier to navigate, easier to maintain and easier on the eyes. You'll enjoy the additional convenience, comfort and safety for years to come!

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© Copyright 2004 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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