The demand for Assisted living floors is increasing as the population ages and more people enter into assisted living. Although the abilities of senior residents vary, their flooring needs are similar. Safety and accessibility come first in any home. Visual impairment must be accommodated, as well as slipping hazards, transition risks (between materials), and flammability.
When it comes to selecting the best flooring for a senior living facility, cost isn’t always an issue. Durability, ease of maintenance, and long-term viability are all important factors to consider. Flooring installations or material choices that result in mistakes may be harmful – even deadly – when it comes to choosing among flooring suggestions for the elderly. As a result, the ideal flooring for a retirement community is one that takes its residents’ requirements into account.
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and water-jet cutting technology may be utilized to create stunning floors. There are several vinyl plank patterns that have a wood-look and come in a variety of designs. Some even include beveled edges to give the appearance of planks. Vinyl tiles offer a number of advantages over other types. For example, they are more resilient and have greater point loads to resist indentation than porcelain tile (VCT) or ceramic tile. Vinyl tiles provide superior comfort and ease of maintenance compared to porcelain tile (VCT) or ceramic tile. They can readily be patterned by water jet cutting prior to installation for more complex designs. Antimicrobial additives are also frequently used in the production of vinyl tiles.
Another alternative for senior living communities is natural rubber tiles or rolled rubber flooring. Rubber is a quickly renewable resource that is extremely durable and a excellent shock and sound absorber. Rubber comes in a variety of colors and has an appealing natural sheen that improves with age. It’s naturally antibacterial, needs very little care, and can be cut using a water-jet method to create intricate patterns before being laid down.
Carpeting still remains a dominant material in flooring for senior living communities. Healthcare carpet installers say that broadloom carpet is a cost-effective option for offices and areas where replacement and heavy traffic is not such a big concern. Carpet tile has made its entry in non-critical care spaces. It’s fast becoming a favorite for its ease of installation and replacement, as well as the variety of patterns and colors. Plus, it’s a natural acoustical conditioner, promoting speech privacy in large spaces.
Installers also suggest cork flooring. Cork, like carpet, is shock absorbent and pleasant to stand on for lengthy periods of time. When properly cared for, cork has a 40-year lifespan. Furthermore, it is all-natural, biodegradable, and recyclable.
Terrazzo flooring, which was formerly employed in hospitals, is making a comeback in retirement residences. This is due to its low-maintenance nature. To keep your terrazzo floor looking nice, simply sweep and mop it on a regular basis.
Linoleum is a wood-based, natural flooring product that can be cut with water jets to create intricate patterns. It’s antibacterial, anti-static, and sound absorptive in addition to being durable, flexible, and sound absorbing. Linoleum is similar to padded vinyl in terms of comfort but isn’t quite as stain-resistant. Linoleum is easy to clean, maintain, and disinfect despite this.
The researchers from the Bruyere Research Institute in Canada, which is funded in part by SATech Inc. and the Care of the Elderly Physicians’ Association, conducted a study of falls at an Arizona nursing home from 2008 to 2010. On DSF flooring (flooring that has a compressible layer intended to cushion falls), 82 falls occurred. Residents who fell on the DSF did not suffer fractures. Of the 85 falls on normal flooring, two people had fractured bones. The fracture rate of 2.4 percent of falls on the regular floor is consistent with previous studies in the literature, whereas a 0 percent incidence reported on the DSF floor is a clinically significant difference, according to researchers.
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