When providing the highest standard of care possible every element matters, with none more important than the floors. This guide takes a brief look at area specific requirements of flooring for aged care, including wet areas, bedrooms, corridors, utility rooms, dining rooms, and areas of special requirement.

Wet areas

Any area that gets wet needs flooring specifically designed to cope with moisture. Not only is this important to prevent slipping, but also to maintain a hygienic environment and minimise damage to the floors. Vinyl and rubber flooring are both great choices, as apart from being designed to handle moisture, their softer surfaces are more forgiving if a fall does occur.

Bedrooms

The bedrooms in aged care facilities should look and feel warm, stylish and comfortable, and no flooring will do so quite like carpet. Apart from providing a soft touch and plenty of support, a quality carpet will also help to minimise noise while providing a durable flooring solution. Some carpets are even designed to be impervious, making them easier to clean and therefore more hygienic.

Corridors

Corridors in aged care facilities can be pretty busy places, as apart from all that foot traffic there are often wheelchairs and heavy equipment being moved around. To avoid the disruption of constant repairs, durable flooring is essential, but those floors also need to be comfortable, stylish, quiet, and designed for ease of movement. Carpet and vinyl flooring are two of your best options.

Utility rooms

The utility rooms in any building need to be built for durability, particularly the floors. Apart from dealing with heavy machines and equipment, heat and moisture can also play havoc on an unsuitable floor. Vinyl or treated ceramic tile flooring will both work extremely well, as each will provide a durable, non-slip surface.

Dining rooms

Any dining room needs to have a stylish and welcoming atmosphere and your flooring will help set the mood; however, those floors also need to be durable, quiet and easy to clean. Carpet and vinyl provides a wonderful solution thanks to its all-round performance, with carpet tiles a particularly flexible option thanks to their ability to be repaired or replaced easily.

High dependency wards

Some aged care residents need a little more support than others and the right floors will make a huge difference. Flooring that is anti-slip, easy to clean and quiet is extremely important and a softer surface is also a good idea in case of falls. Vinyl and rubber are both excellent options that will cover all your bases.

Dementia wards

Residents dealing with dementia have very specific needs and creating a calm and comfortable setting is essential. The ideal flooring should be quiet, supportive; soft enough to deal with falls and easy to clean – clear colour contrasts and simple patterns should also be used to minimise confusion. Carpet, vinyl or rubber floors are all suitable options, although carpet is the best in terms of insulating sound.

Infection control areas

Controlling the spread of disease is obviously important and studies have shown that some types of flooring do a better job than others – vinyl and rubber flooring are among the best. Vinyl floors can be built with a custom anti-microbial barrier while rubber contains a natural resistance to bacteria. Both materials are also essentially one piece surfaces, so there are fewer places for germs to hide.

Keeping everyone healthy and happy is a central part of running a successful aged care facility and it all starts with choosing the right floors. If you need professional advice, talk to the experts at Aussie Flooring Insights.