IMO floors are chosen then cabinet color .The floor choice should be what they will have all through the main living spaces .

If real wood is in the budget I’d have zero doubts about putting that in over LVP.

Wood.

I would go with wood. Hopefully your parents will enjoy many years of good health, but thinking of aging in place is important and my understanding is that LVP flooring is not ideal with wheelchair usage.

Wood

Normally I’d say wood but I’ve been viewing homes a relative is searching for a property. I’ve seen some really great wood look vinyl planks . I had to ask to be sure . People are not hesitant to Run it From kitchen right thru to great room etc,. I would not hesitate now that I’ve seen it a few times.

As much as I love hardwood floors, it is worth considering SPC (stone polymer composite) flooring. I ended up using it in my high traffic areas (kitchen, family room , etc.). I had one family member in a wheelchair and another using a walker and it has held up remarkably well. It also is imperious to water spills and my dogs’ toenails. Just something to consider.

Cork flooring = softest hardwood in the world. It is EXCELLENT 'age in place' flooring. A good cork floor can be the difference between a deep bone-bruise or a full hip replacement. Falls are going to be the new normal. A floor that can help reduce the damage when the fall occurs is going to be worth it's weight in gold (or EMERG costs).

Falls are the new normal??? lighting / footwear / adjust norms of reach and grabbing objects / eliminate area rugs and mats due to corner tripping if you want To talk Preventing a fall. Resilient flooring is a help for joints. If someone is that high risk that a fall is to be expected they ought to consult PT/ OT and have a walker / cane and create access within their kitchen , regards aisles and reach and bending issues. I’d like to see the data that cork above other resilient floors is responsible for the outcome of a fall.

I have had experience with cork floors and they would not be my choice. I think either of those choices would be fine but a lot depends on budget and if they have pets IMO we need a bit more info as to how they live. We are in our 70s have big dogs and a wood floor would have not stood up as well as our laminate or vinyl plank so for us wood was not even considered.

I would do wood.

Your cabinets will be gorgeous. A family member has Candlelight Canterbury Cherry Embers w/ a Sable glaze.

Are you from the Lockport area?

Thank you so much for everyone who took time to respond. To answer a few of the questions above:

1) Budget is not an issue - safety is the primary issue.

2) I am GREATLY concerned about my parents falling; hence the need to find the safest floor as possible.

(As a side note - my parents really want wall-to-wall carpeting in the master - so we would have to find maybe a quality commercial grade? BUT - my mother really wants to either use an area rug or in lay in the great room - much to our dismay. Any suggestions on how to safely handle this situation without saying NO.)

3) Yes, they a cocker spaniel dog that probably weighs 20 pounds.

Any insight you folks might have is appreciated. I am finally feeling the pressure to make sure every decision I make is a grand slam.

thanks again

I've been part of a Residential Home's purchase of 8mm cork glue down cork tiles in their common area. The tiles were site finished with 2 coats of Loba 2K Supra AT. The cork is thick with natural energy absorbing abilities. The Loba 2K Supra AT is a HIGH GRIP product - even when damp.

An elderly resident fell from a standing position. They landed heavily on their hip. They were taken to EMERG for X-Rays. There was no sign of a break. The resident was Dx with a 'deep bone bruise' and sent home to rest.

The Home's director stated that previous falls of that nature usually have resulted in broken bones. This was the first time the home had seen a serious fall that did not result in broken bones. The cork was the difference maker.

Cork is finicky but can be made super tough without compromising on aesthetics. It can be used INSTEAD OF carpet. In fact it is a 'carpet replacement' product. When done properly it can last 130+ years (Library of Congress received their cork floor in 1890's....it is STILL THERE...in it's original state).

Area carpets are a big "NO" when aging in place - trip hazard.

Lower pile wall to wall or inlaid carpet has worked fine for my brother in law who uses a walker and was fine for my mom and mother in law when using walkers.

If they like carpet let them have carpet - it is softer if they do fall.

LVP is not a super hard surface like tile. Mine has a cork backing. It does not make my legs and back sore the way tile flooring did.

@Jennifer Hogan what brand Flooring do you have and do you still love it?

@Mom what brand flooring do you have?

I’ve been looking at luxury vinyl planks for months and haven’t decided on one. Looking for a good brand, wood look, warm brown (not light/not dark) that is not rustic. I’m so tired of researching flooring. Lol

Here’s a photo I took of a sample I brought home. Niagara is the color (they have several others); UrbanFloor is the brand. Good luck! Researching flooring can be exhausting!

@Mom thank you!