Though important, safety and infection control are not the only factors to consider when specifying flooring for aged care and health care applications.

When working in aged or healthcare settings, designers should always keep in mind the impacts their designs are likely to have on residents and patients who are dealing with the effects of ageing or ill-health.

“Design ultimately influences the mindset, health and wellbeing of staff, residents, patients, and visitors. Therefore, selecting quality materials that are high performing and functional is an important consideration,” says Mark Andrews, Managing Director of The Andrews Group, a Bolon Partner.

This holds true for flooring, which according to Andrews, “plays a vital role in creating safe, healthy and functional aged and healthcare facilities.”

There are several reasons for this. Considering the mobility issues, balance problems and so on that many of these people have to deal with, flooring needs to be stable, firm and slip resistant.

“Aged and healthcare settings must also maintain high levels of cleanliness to prevent the spread of infections and illness,” says Andrews. “Flooring should be easy to clean and disinfect to maintain a clean environment. In areas where high spillage is likely, flooring should also be impermeable.”

In addition, according to Andrews, floors should always be comfortable underfoot and provide cushioning to reduce the risk of fatigue and discomfort; and it should facilitate mobility for everybody, including those requiring wheelchairs or walkers.

The acoustic properties of flooring are also important.

“Aged and healthcare settings can be noisy with constant activity and movement. Flooring that absorbs sound can help create a quieter and more peaceful environment for residents, patients, staff, and visitors,” says Andrews.

Beyond all these functional requirements, as has become better understood in recent years, the design and aesthetics of the flooring can contribute to the overall atmosphere and ambience of the aged and healthcare setting.

“Flooring should be chosen to create a welcoming and soothing environment for residents, patients, visitors and staff,” says Andrews.

“The flooring palette also needs to consider the demands of each space, and how colours affect emotion and impact on mental health. It can also be used as a way-finding tool to designate areas and enable intuitive navigation.”

Flooring for those living with dementia

Dementia and the needs of those living with the illness are always important considerations, particularly in the aged care context. However, as it stands, the actual flooring choices in such facilities often don’t meet requirements.

“Unfortunately, we are finding that more and more of our clients are choosing vinyl flooring in dementia facilities because of cleanability,” says Debbie De Fiddes of De Fiddes Design, a Perth-based practice that specialises in aged care.

“While that is important, acoustics and safety are equally, if not more important. Too much noise and poor acoustics in a building can have a detrimental impact on people living with dementia by increasing stress levels, anxiety, agitation, confusion and can even lead to fatigue and falls.”

According to De Fiddes, the main factors to consider in this context are pattern and design.

“While we need to avoid bold, busy patterns, it doesn’t mean that flooring should be devoid of any pattern or design. We are trying to create environments that are domestic in look, and which feel warm and inviting. Therefore, patterns should be subtle with little tonal difference,” she says, adding that a combination of hard and soft surfaces is ultimately the best option for operations and resident comfort.

In line with this, suppliers like Forbo Flooring have begun to offer products developed specifically with the needs of those living with dementia in mind. In fact, the company is in the process of designing a bespoke collection with De Fiddes and her team.

Known as Flotex, the collection which is washable, waterproof, and fast drying, matches the look of carpet with the performance of vinyl. In this way, it better meets the needs of these residents, while not detracting from other important design considerations and the realisation of these across the facilities.

Having addressed this important issue itself, Forbo Flooring recommends that specifiers working in this area engage dementia design specialists, recognised by the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), as a good first step on the way to effective outcomes.

Fit-for-purpose solutions

According to Lily Vaughan, Head of Interior Design at Interface, providing fit-for-purpose flooring solutions in Health and Aged Care environments involves meeting aesthetic, functional and hygiene requirements.

“Within the Aged Care sector, we are always striving to achieve the balance between beautiful design and function. The extensive range at Interface not only allows us to achieve both but create beautiful bespoke homes for the elderly,” she says.

The company’s latest collection, Etched & Threaded carpet tile and Earthen Forms Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), are designed to deliver a sense of calm and comfort, and in so doing, contribute to the wellbeing of patients, residents, and staff.

Etched & Threaded carpet tile and Earthen Forms Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) / Interface

By weaving the warmth of textiles with the geometric flow of natural stone, Etched & Threaded and Earthen Forms cut through the hustle and bustle to create relaxing spaces. The soft patterns and subtle neutral colorways in these products help create serene and calming environments.

This is particularly beneficial in aged care and healthcare settings, where reducing stress and promoting relaxation can significantly enhance the healing and living experience.

Like all Interface products, Etched & Threaded and Earthen Forms are made to last. They are designed for durability and longevity, which is critical in high-traffic areas typical of healthcare and aged care facilities. This ensures that the flooring remains intact and aesthetically pleasing over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Etched & Threaded and Earthen Forms involve sustainable thinking, aligning with the increasing emphasis on eco-friendly practices in healthcare and aged care facilities. This not only supports environmental goals but also appeals to the growing demand for sustainable building materials.

Etched & Threaded carpet tiles are made of 100% recycled solution dyed nylon and have low carbon footprint of between 5.37 and 7.24 kg CO₂/m², while Earthen Forms LVT has 39% recycled content.

Thompson Health Care Oran Park House

Thompson Health Care Oran Park House / GH Commercial

Located in the Macarthur Region of Southwestern Sydney, Oran Park House is a recently opened aged care facility operated by Thompson Health.

Designed by TSD Studio, a Sydney-based interior design practice that specialises in aged care, the facility offers resort style accommodation, as well as permanent and respite places, 24-hour registered nursing care, a café, a private dining room, an arts and crafts space, a cinema, a beauty salon and a library.

In completing the project, the designers were intent on prioritising comfort, accessibility, and ease of living. Broadly speaking, they were looking to create a sophisticated and luxurious atmosphere, and at the same time, to turn attention away from specific medical care finishes.

In terms of flooring, Oran Park House includes carpeting by GH Commercial, a supplier with a solid record of work across the independent Living, Assisted Living and Special-Care sectors.

All customised to suit their specific applications, and all designed with durability, safety, and sustainability at front of mind, the carpeting can be found throughout the resident rooms and hallways, in the Chapel, the Function Room and Bar area, and also in the facility’s cinema.

The results speak for themselves. Visually reassuring and comfortable, each meets the specific requirements of its location.

Deliberately neutral, the carpeting in the resident rooms and hallways features subtle patterns and variegated earth shades speckled with blue; while in the Chapel, a carpet of gently overlapping squares in muted tones contrasts nicely with the vaulted ceiling and massive windows.

Then, in the Function Room Bar area and cinema, reminiscence becomes the order of the day as the carpets, with their irregular geometric shapes and bold borders invite residents to have some fun and recall various past social events.

Macquarie University Hospital

Located on the university’s campus on Sydney’s North Shore, Macquarie University Hospital is a 144-bed teaching facility that integrates clinical practice with research and education.

Having recently expanded and refurbished its operating theatres and wards, the hospital now includes a dedicated orthopaedic centre. Known as the Orthopaedic Institute, this new centre provides high quality healthcare and wellness services to the community.

Designed by Angel Mahchut Architects, the Orthopaedic Institute features flooring by Gerflor, a manufacturer and supplier of innovative and eco-responsible products for floors and their peripheries.

Specifically, the products included are Gerflor’s Mipolam homogeneous flooring and Taralay Impression range.

Mipolam homogeneous flooring presents as an ideal choice. Available in a vast array of suitable colours – and in this case specified in Greige, Light Greige, Quartz, Santorini, and Matte Grey – it includes antiviral and antibacterial properties, and therefore contributes to infection prevention and control.

Featured in the Orthopaedic Institute’s corridors, aisles, and attending areas – and specified in the Cemento Capri, Cemento Genova, and Infinity Greige varieties – the Taralay Impression range delivers a contemporary and organic ambiance. In this way, by introducing a biophilic element, it helps create a sense of calm and sets the scene for patient recovery and wellbeing.

Endorsed by the DSDC and equipped with Protecsol 2, a patented surface treatment that possesses antiviral and antibacterial activity, it is also recommended for aged care environments in which catering to residents with dementia is important.

Presenting as a fusion of aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency, and available with compact and acoustic backing, it provides excellent comfort under foot for staff and patients, alike.

Like the various other flooring solutions mentioned above, when specified appropriately, it can help ensure that aged care and health facilities are places in which health, safety, and wellbeing are accorded the status they deserve.

Main Image: Forbo Flooring / Forbo Flooring

SUPPLIERS

GH commercial

Forbo Flooring

Bolon

Interface

Gerflor

Matthew McDonald

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