Senior Care Flooring

Products to use in senior care

Designing for dementia

Flooring is one of the most essential factors in determining a basis for designing a dementia environment as it has much impact on safety and orientation of a space, giving patients confidence, security and independence.

We would like to contribute to creating a safe and pleasurable environment, providing a sense of well-being for the residents of special care and dementia institutions. That's why we have partnered with Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), an international centre which draws on 25 years of global research and practice, to identify which products in our portfolio can contribute to improving the quality of life for people with dementia.

DSDC & Forbo colleboration

Our dementia friendly flooring selection

Designing for dementia is no ‘exact science’. No clear boundaries can be made as to which design is or is not suitable. What is ‘good and acceptable’ in one country may well be judged to be ‘questionable or not accepted’ in another. The choices to make always depend on the specific project and common sense and basic design principles lie at the start of every interior design.

In a dementia environment no single design element stands on its own. The floor is an integral part of the design, together with the color of the walls, doors, furniture, sanitary fitting and lighting schemes. Providing contrast in lightness between the various objects is of importance, just as providing harmony within the individual objects.

The designs in our collections are coordinated and muted, so that people are not getting confused or tempted to try and pick design elements from the floor. Our designs are matte, avoiding the disturbing reflection and by their nature provide a comfortable atmosphere.

Textile, vinyl as well as linoleum designs generate a recollection of the past and to create an environment that looks like being home whilst being in a dementia environment. Finally choices are made in such a way that when applied correctly, there are no transitions between different surfaces that are difficult to manage at old age.

Color and color combinations

Color, also in designing for dementia is a matter of taste. In our selection therefore we have not made a color choice as such. Instead we looked closely at the contrast and harmony in lightness of the colors with which designs can be created that provide a good bases for the colors of other interior elements such as walls and furniture. Contrasting floor colors in a building can be used to indicate that certain areas are off-limit, f.e. staff areas, or indicate a clearly different space, f.e. stairs, bathroom, or toilet.

Our dementia floor covering selection

For the applications in dementia environments we have selected the following floor coverings:

Marmoleum: Our natural Marmoleum floors are available in a wide range of tranquil allover designs. Marmoleum has a smooth surface which makes maneuvering easy even when walking has become a ‘shuffle’.
See the Marmoleum selection in our product finder

Eternal Step slip resistant vinyl: Eternal Step safety vinyl is available in natural wood and stone designs as well as various muted colors. The traditional shiny non slip particles have been replaced by mat crystals that do not light up.
See the Eternal Step safety flooring selection in our product finder

Eternal design vinyl sheet: Eternal is available in mute all over natural designs that mimic homely environments. Seamless application is ideal for corridors as well as living areas.
See the Eternal vinyl selection in our product finder

Allura luxury vinyl tiles: Allura tiles create realistic natural floors without the hazard of tripping or seams opening up. Easy to install and decorative. Out of the wide collection of designs we have chosen the most suitable and muted, tone in tone items.
See the Allura selection in our product finder

Flotex flocked flooring: this textile floor covering is created from a densely packed nylon flock surface mounted on a vinyl backing. It can be cleaned with water detergent and scrubbers and as such is the most hygienic textile in the market.
See the Flotex selection in our product finder

Marmoleum

Marmoleum is chosen as the desired flooring solution for aged care facilities to date. Senior care facilities and assisted living environments all benefit from using Marmoleum as a hygienic floor covering solution that is easy to clean and maintain as well as durable, safe and comfortable for both wheeled and foot traffic.

✔ Infection control
✔ Phthalates free
✔ Prevent the growth of bacteria
✔ Allergy approved
✔ Low emission

Marmoleum's ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria stems from the natural raw materials that go into its production, namely linseed oil. An inherent property of the product, the anti-bacterial qualities of Marmoleum won't diminish over time, giving peace of mind and constant protection from the moment it is installed.

Independent testing by the University of Glasgow has proven that Marmoleum has a unique suitability for a diverse range of environments where hygiene and control of bacteria such as MRSA or E. coli is an everyday concern. The test results for MRSA, Norovirus and C-DIFF can be downloaded below.

Global partnerships

The responsibility for forging global partnerships with key clients is entrusted to our most experienced Key Account Managers. Dedicated to customer care, their only remit is to ensure that Forbo delivers a flooring solution that is ideally suited to your needs.

• We can supply international quotations and have experience with international order processes and local regulations
• We manage international logistics
• We have 20 years partnerships with worldwide customers

As a global partner we stand next to you on a local level. Our design team can offer guidance and assistance as required. Our technicians speak the language of the flooring installers and in this way everybody is aligned.