10 KEY FACTORS OF FLOOR DESIGN EVERY SENIOR LIVING FACILITY SHOULD CONSIDER

Colour – The colour you choose for resident rooms, community spaces, and corridors are not only important in creating a sense of comfort but also in aiding those with low vision. Consider contrasting floor colours with those of the walls and doors to make navigating easier for residents. Finishes are a key factor too. Typically, a matte finish is recommended to reduce glare. 

Texture & Material Compatibility - Texture is a key factor when it comes to slip resistance, especially in areas where the floor may become wet. Consult with your flooring expert to determine the level of texture for any given space. While a high texture is more slip resistant, the level of cleanability will be reduced. Finding the perfect balance for physical safety and hygienic safety is key. Another factor to consider is mobility problems seniors can face when walking from one type of surface to another. Installing seamless floors with minimal transitions can be a perfect solution to avoid these issues. 

Sanitary & Easy to Clean – Now more than ever, sanitary design is key in senior living spaces. Seamless walls and floors that are not only easy to clean but present no challenges for a complete cleaning. This saves staff time and effort, keeps your facility looking spotless, and most importantly prevents microbes from harbouring and growing. With poured-in-place, nonporous, seamless floors, bacteria have no place to harbour and grow, unlike with traditional flooring. 

Chemical Resistance – Cleaning chemicals used throughout the facility and in food service areas can break down a floor. A chemical-resistant, bleach-resistant flooring system will save you from failures that hinder safe and efficient operations and result in increased spending for repairs or replacement. 

Stain Resistance – Medicines, food and drink spills, and other organic and chemical materials can cause stains around your facility. Stained floors look unclean and unsightly and are a poor advertisement for your business. Employees, prospective residents, the residents themselves, and their visitors want to enter a building that looks cared for and sparkling clean, not neglected. Stain-resistant floors are a vital part of your interior design. 

Ergonomics – Standing on floors can be hard for staff and residents. Give them the comfort of resilient flooring. Resilient, ergonomic floors ease back and leg problems, which many residents may be already experiencing prior to coming to the facility. Floors that support the body can also affect the morale of staff, assist them in working throughout the day, and cut down on absenteeism. 

Durability – A durable floor is key for senior and assisted living facilities. Equipment, furniture, and other items are constantly being moved, placed, or even dropped in these environments. High traffic, busy spaces like yours need floors formulated and installed to last. Not only are floor failures costly but they are also disruptive. Consider your residents and the difficulty that comes with unsafe flooring areas, or the efforts required in re-routing them until the area is fixed. Choose a floor that will last for many years without worry. 

Wear Resistance – A wear-resistant floor will hold up under the constant foot, walker, and wheelchair traffic your space will certainly encounter. When floors wear down, they look dull and unattractive and can become hazards for both slips and falls as well as become further damaged where they are no longer able to be kept sanitary by cleaning. 

Acoustic Efficiency – When choosing a resilient flooring system, an added benefit to ergonomics is acoustic efficiency. Not only is acoustic design important for making a pleasant living environment but will be important for residents who are hard of hearing and for the staff who are communicating with them. 

Wayfinding – An assisted living facility may choose to provide wayfinding markings for residents, making a practical and supportive choice for those who have Alzheimer's disease or may become confused within the facility. With resinous flooring, any number of directional markers, designs, or colours can be achieved right within the floor as part of the installation. In addition to wayfinding applications, any design can be incorporated into the floor of your facility, for instance a logo can be displayed at reception or the lobby entrance.