Are Rugs and Carpets a Safety Hazard in My Mother's Home?

By Kevin Edwards | May 21, 2018 |

By Kevin Edwards, President

How Can You Make Rugs and Carpets Safer for Your Senior?

Home Care in Kansas City: Use Non-Slip Rug Tape to Help Avoid Falls

Rugs and carpets provide warmth and ambiance to your elderly family member’s home, but they can also be a safety concern for her. Paying close attention to what is happening with your senior’s carpets and rugs can help to prevent accidents and injuries.

Rugs that Slide Need to Be Removed

Any rugs or carpets that slip or slide when you walk on them need to be removed. This type of issue can also cause rugs to get caught up in your senior’s walker, wheelchair, or cane. The best solution, especially at first, can be to simply remove them until you can either find a less slippery replacement or solve the slipping problem.

Carpet Tape and Rug Liners Can Work

If the rugs don’t already have a non-slip backing, rubberized rug liners can be extremely helpful. You can find these in a variety of sizes and then cut them down to fit underneath the carpet or rug that you want to secure. Carpet tape is another option that can be effective, but it can damage some types of flooring. You might want to test it in an inconspicuous location before you commit to using carpet tape full time.

Look for Wear and Tear Regularly

Wear and tear on carpets and rugs can be a problem. Small holes and worn spots can catch your senior’s shoes or on the tip of her cane. Threads can get caught in wheels. If you know about these issues, you can make repairs before they become too much of a problem. Make it a habit to check for problems when you vacuum.

If the Rugs Are Too Much of a Problem, Remove Them

The main thing to consider is that if the rugs and carpets are causing too much of a problem for you and for your elderly family member, you’re better off without them. Clearing away the rugs allows you to focus on making the existing flooring safer for your senior to navigate. Removing them can be a way for you to have one less thing to worry about for right now.

Summary for Caregivers

It’s not always easy for you to keep up with all of the different safety concerns you have to juggle as a caregiver. This is one reason why hiring home care providers can be such a help to you and to your elderly family member. They can help you to stay on top of all of your safety concerns.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Kansas City, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today. Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

Author
Recent Posts

Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.