Safety and accessibility are the top concerns in aged care centres. While the abilities of the people living in aged care facilities may vary, the flooring requirements are the same. The ideal flooring solution takes into account the needs of older adults and reduces the risk of falls. Choosing the right aged care flooring is not an easy task and requires a balance of design and performance. There are many different flooring solutions that can make the entire process for the owners of retirement facilities. To help you narrow down your options, here are some of the most important factors you need to consider.
Slip Resistance
Providing the residents and employees with a safe and healthy environment can be easily achieved by choosing a flooring option that minimises the chances of slipping or falling. Slip-resistant flooring can reduce the risk of injuries and is a great choice for senior-friendly environments.
Ease of Movement
Flooring that is easy to walk on is the perfect choice for aged care centres as it allows the elderly to move around with ease and use a walker or wheelchair if needed, without damaging the floor.
Comfort
Allowing seniors to move around comfortably should be a top priority of every retirement facility. You can find an aged care flooring solution for every area of your facility. Different areas require different flooring solutions, so hallways and bathrooms, for instance, need two different flooring types. For the hallways, you need flooring that can withstand high foot traffic, while for the bathrooms a slip-resistant flooring option is the most adequate option.
Cushioning
Falls in elderly people are the leading cause of injuries and fatalities. That being said, you want to make sure the flooring you choose will be able to minimise the impact of potential falls, in case any of the seniors happen to fall due to a health issue or any other reason.
Low Maintenance
Living in these pandemic times, we’ve all realised how important hygiene is for preserving our health. But when it comes to aged care centres, maintaining high levels of hygiene has always been a priority in order to avoid the spread of infections as older adults can easily get sick. That’s why it’s always a good idea to look for a flooring solution that prevents dirt build-up and germs spread.
Aesthetics
Modern designs offer practical flooring solutions in many different colours and patterns and even dementia-friendly design schemes. The environment can have a big impact on the overall experience, making residents and employees feel at ease, which can result in positive outcomes. A warm and welcoming environment can create a positive impact on anyone that will walk through your facility, so make sure the flooring you choose looks good and complements the look of your facility.
With all the factors considered, vinyl is one of the most popular options lately and for a good reason. Made from synthetic materials with a tough layer, it’s one of the most stylish and contemporary flooring solutions on the market and is very often used in institutional and commercial applications.
What Makes Vinyl a Great Flooring Solution for an Aged Care Centre
The comfort quality and the design freedom of materials like vinyl, make a great option for nursing home flooring. If you are new to vinyl, here is what makes vinyl one of the most purposeful flooring solutions and how it can meet all the specific needs of an aged care centre.
Durable
Vinyl is a highly durable flooring option and if properly installed, you can expect it to last for a long time. It can handle high traffic for long hours without taking any damages, even from using a wheelchair or walker.
Easy to Install
The installation process of vinyl flooring is simple and easy for both large and small areas.
Comfortable
Vinyl flooring feels soft underfoot, it’s warm and comfortable to walk on, which makes it a safe and secure option for any aged care centre.
Slip Resistant
Vinyl flooring for nursing homes is specifically designed to ensure slip resistance. When selecting the vinyl flooring, make sure to look for a product with a bit more underlayment that will guarantee more safety.
Cushions Falls
The high, spongy quality of vinyl can cushion falls. Vinyl flooring designed for aged care centres has built-in padding that helps to minimise the amount of shock to the body in case of a fall. As mentioned above, this is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a flooring solution for a nursing home.
Easily Maintained
Vinyl flooring is a low maintenance option, it can take a lot of impacts, it’s resistant to abrasion and can be cleaned easily. It’s resistant to stains, doesn’t allow dust to build up and most of the time, sweeping and mopping is all it takes to keep your vinyl flooring clean.
Eco Friendly
Even though vinyl was not an eco-friendly alternative in the early days of its production, in the past couple of years, many manufacturers have improved their techniques and are now producing eco-friendly and low-emitting vinyl materials.
Lastly, one of the greatest advantages of vinyl flooring is the variety of options it offers. You can choose a vinyl flooring that looks like ceramic tiles, natural wood, stone or features abstract effects and find the most suitable design for your aged care facility interior and make it feel like home.
