Senior living communities: Flooring and design elements

While selecting the type of flooring to be used in senior living communities, the primary objective should be to minimise the risk of falls; the primary cause of injuries amongst seniors. Whether for the interior of homes and common areas or outdoor spaces, there are several important characteristics to consider.

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The material used should be non-slippery
Ramps or thresholds must be planned to handle the level differences required on the floor
Locations of any floor projections or floor rugs must be selected and placed carefully to avoid risks of tripping

The most common material is vitrified tile in areas, such as living rooms, bedrooms and passages. It is available with a non-slippery finish in various colours, textures, patterns and sizes; hence, offering a wide choice for the designer. Laminated wooden floorings and vinyl flooring are other options that can be explored to avoid water ingress or dampness.

For wet area applications, such as bathrooms or balconies, the anti-skid range of ceramic tiles is the most commonly used and cost-effective solution for non-slippery flooring. Vitrified tiles in a non-slippery finish could be an option for common areas, such as the lobby, lounges and dining areas, where ease of maintenance is important. Stone can be explored as an option considering its resistance to wear and tear; however, the finish should be rough instead of polished. The colours, textures and patterns of the flooring material should be selected to suit the overall theme and the ambience.

For activity areas, such as the gymnasium or the games room, the flooring should avoid the risk of injuries in case of an accidental fall. Sports vinyl is a commonly used material in these areas. Carpets could also be explored as a possibility for a limited-area application, considering the high maintenance involved.

Ramps need to be finished with non-slippery flooring material. Anti-skid strips could be added as an additional precaution.

Rugs or carpets add colour and ambience to the interiors and are recommended by designers. However, it must be carefully reviewed in terms of thickness to avoid tripping. Restrict the use of carpets and rugs to specific areas, like the seating lounges, which are away from the main path of movement.

The same philosophy applies while selecting floor finishes for outdoor spaces. Since the outdoor areas are prone to weather changes, ensuring that non-slippery material is used becomes even more important. Flamed granites, outdoor grade non-slippery tiles and paver or concrete finishes are some options worth exploring. Ease of maintenance should be a major factor while selecting the materials. For areas with vehicular movement and heavy traffic, the material should be carefully reviewed before selection.

For exercise areas, such as outdoor gymnasiums and walking and jogging tracks, the material must minimise the risk of injury in case of an accidental fall. Rubberised flooring or other resilient options are commonly used for such applications.

A wide variety of materials are available to meet specific floor-finish requirements. The same would facilitate the designers to meet the functional requirements for a floor finish of a senior living community without compromising on the ambience, which is imminent to create an environment conducive to positive ageing.

Popular flooring options to consider

When designing a home for senior living, it is better to go for flooring designs that have neutral and natural appeal. Sometimes, intricate flooring patterns may seem confusing. Though slightly expensive, hardwood and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring options may be the right choice. Engineered hardwood flooring come with their simplistic design patterns. Some wood materials to consider are white oak, red oak and maple. You can choose light and warm to dark tones based on your preference.

LVT flooring materials are slip-resistant as they are also water-resistant. Thus, they can be used for designing senior living homes to ensure safety.

Flooring materials to avoid

When designing flooring for senior citizen homes, avoid materials such as polished stone, ceramic and porcelain tile. Moreover, area rugs may be slippery when placed on hard floors and must be avoided.

(The author is vice president, design and development, Columbia Pacific Communities)

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Poornima Hareendra

Poornima Hareendra is the Vice President – Design and Development, Columbia Pacific Communities. In a career spanning over 16 years, she was initially with Jones Lang La Salle, one of the global leaders in Construction Project Management. She later got associated and continued with Hospital Design with Columbia Asia group of Hospitals (currently taken over by Manipal Hospitals). An architect by profession, with Post Graduation in Construction Management from IIT Madras, she excels in Project Management, with substantial exposure in project scheduling, project budgeting, procurement and construction contracts.