Best and Safest Flooring Options for Aged Care Facilities

Published by Adam Pol,


Senior living and senior living design have changed dramatically in recent years. Senior living communities today aspire to do more than just shelter the elderly and handle age-related ailments. Seniors are living longer than ever before, and they want communities that reflect their active lifestyles with improved services and recreational opportunities.

The architecture of these rooms must be adaptable, robust, and most importantly, safe in order to deliver all of the amenities that seniors anticipate. Senior living homes must fulfil stringent criteria in all areas, including eating rooms, gyms, swimming pools, libraries, art studios, and wellness centres. To do so, effective design starts with the floor.

When it comes to choosing the right flooring option for your aged facility, there are some important criteria to consider.

  • Slip Resistance - Look for floors that are non-slip and have strong traction. A solid non-slip floor should be safe to walk on not just when it's dry, but also when it's wet.
  • Cushion - You can't completely eliminate the chance of falling. A soft floor, or one that can absorb part of the effects of falling, would be a smart choice for the elderly to reduce the danger of fatal injuries. Soft flooring is also more comfortable to walk on since they lessen the joint impact. Soft floors tend to be resilient or feel like rubber when you press on them.
  • Ease of Travel - The flooring should be pleasant and safe to walk on. Walking, whether with or without a cane or walker or in a wheelchair, should not be difficult. Any protruding element or feature that might provide a tripping hazard should be avoided. The ideal flooring is usually one that has a level and smooth surface.
  • Comfort - Floors can also improve the elderly's quality of life by providing some level of comfort. One such convenience it may provide is a heated surface underfoot in the cold.
  • Durability - The flooring you choose should be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. A good durable floor will have protection and be resistant to water damage, scratches, and other factors that might cause it to be damaged. A good floor quality should be able to withstand decades of use.

Vinyl Flooring

Durable, waterproof and easy to maintain - these characteristics make vinyl an excellent aged care flooring option. The fact the vinyl is also hard and durable means that travel with wheelchairs and walkers is easier than many other flooring options. Vinyl is also a resilient flooring, which means it restores its shape after being dented.

Available in sheets or in tiles, there're three types of vinyl flooring: luxury vinyl tile (LVT), vinyl composition tile (VCT) and sheet flooring. All of the three have proven to be worthwhile in aged-care facilities, with sheets being a popular option for bathrooms due to their ability to eliminate most seams and crevices, making it difficult for water to seep through.

VCT is a sheet-based material made up of limestone, resin, aggregates, and colour pigments that are then cut into tiles. It requires more upkeep than LVT and sheet flooring due to its composition. To prevent moisture penetration through the porous components used to make VCT, a wax must be applied to the surface. VCT must be stripped and resealed over time, which takes additional time and money.

LVT and sheet flooring are ideal for high-traffic areas of the facility. They're made of limestone as well but have a sealed exterior layer. Flexible, durable, water and heat resistant, simple to maintain, and with a wide range of design options, these sorts of floors are ideal.

Cork Flooring

The softest of the "hard" surfaces cork flooring has also some of the same thermal and acoustic qualities as carpet flooring. But unlike carpet, cork provides a flat surface for efficient wheelchair travel. Cork is also quite easy to clean and maintain, and the sealer applied to the surface prevents it from staining.

However, due to its soft nature, cork can be easily damaged by punctures, scratches, and indentations caused by furniture legs. Cork is porous, so while it is water-resistant, it is not waterproof, and standing water can get into the seams and destroy the core material.

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring offers excellent impact absorption and slip resistance. If an old person falls on it by accident, it provides excellent cushioning. Even when wet, it provides excellent grip. It is extremely tough and long-lasting and can tolerate any physical abuse or impact. It can withstand damage from furniture, equipment, and abrasive footwear for a long time.

It's also stain-resistant and waterproof, as well as simple to clean and maintain. It may be installed over any hard surface, including concrete, and it is almost self-installed.

It comes in rolls and sheets, as well as snap-together tiles. Because of the restricted designs, colours, and textures available, the appearance and feel may not be as intimate or homely as other floor kinds.

Rubber flooring may be installed in almost any space, including moist areas like bathrooms and basements. However, because rubber flooring is not as diverse in terms of design style, style and appearance will always be a concern.