Dementia Friendly Flooring at Hamilton Flooring: The Forbo Way

Commercial Flooring that is Practical and Homely

Dementia is an, often misunderstood, devastatingly common condition which will affect most of us at some point in our lives…whether through developing the syndrome ourselves or through supporting a loved-one in their own journey with dementia. As research develops treatments and interventions to reduce, manage, and - hopefully one day - cure Dementia, there are a number of ways that everyday actions and experiences can be made easier and more positive for those living with the condition. Hamilton Flooring are dedicated to supporting the creation of inclusive spaces through highly informed, purpose-led-design. Having more than three decades of experience, Hamilton Flooring has worked with a number of healthcare providers and assisted living facilities to create dementia friendly spaces through appropriate and thoughtful flooring choices. In this article we discuss some of the ways that the right flooring choice can greatly impact the quality of life for those using healthcare and residential facilities and specifically looking at some of the amazing, research led designs and products available to Hamilton Flooring clients through our partnership with Forbo Flooring.

Why Choose Dementia Friendly Flooring?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports that there are over 850,000 people living with Dementia in the UK, this figure is set to rise to two million by 2051. With an ageing demographic, compassionate flooring solutions are an important consideration when designing spaces. Whether for residential care homes, healthcare settings or domestic dwellings, dementia friendly flooring prioritises supporting; perception and sight changes, cognitive decline, and mobility issues. Flooring is one of the largest surface areas of most environments and it can have a powerful effect on the user experience of the space.

The properties of flooring should be a key consideration for any environment which may be used by those with dementia as well as many forms of neurodivergence. The types of flooring which benefits those with dementia are beneficial to everyone who uses the space as this type of flooring is designed to be beautiful, practical and support wayfinding, safe mobility, noise reduction and high hygiene standards - making it a fantastic choice for all sorts of environments!

Non-slip flooring - although a required element of dementia friendly design - is not enough to create a positive and safe environment for those living with dementia. Texture, colour, pattern - the correct selection of flooring can reduce fall risks and diminish change-related stress levels among this often vulnerable user group. Having said this, a well designed environment and sensitively selected flooring can support independent living and help create comfort without the sterile aesthetic often associated with specialist safety flooring.

One brand which does exceptionally well with performance flooring is Forbo. Having collaborated with the Dementia Services Design Centre, Forbo is a leading manufacturer of dementia-friendly flooring solutions, designed to create safe and comfortable environments for individuals living with dementia. With a focus on both functionality and aesthetics, Forbo has developed innovative flooring options that cater to the specific needs of those living with dementia whilst remaining attractive and design-centred.

What Makes Forbo Flooring Dementia Friendly?

Forbo flooring is designed with the unique challenges faced by individuals with dementia in mind. The flooring is slip-resistant, reducing the risk of falls, which can be particularly dangerous for those with cognitive impairments. Forbo’s dementia friendly flooring is also noise reducing which is particularly important in shared spaces and large open buildings such as residential care homes and healthcare suites. Additionally, Forbo flooring is easy to clean and maintain, ensuring a hygienic environment that promotes overall well-being.

The start point for Forbo flooring is solutions which can contribute to improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and other syndromes/conditions resulting in physical or cognitive decline. When considered holistically as part of the Dementia Services Design Centre’s design guidelines, Forbo flooring ensures that everyone can safely navigate a space by following some key concepts:

Simple Design: Dementia Friendly Flooring

It has been established that a matt finish with simple, plain designs is the most recommended design aspect of dementia friendly flooring. Natural and familiar motifs also help with transitions (particularly important for individuals who are moving into supported living) and reduces stress levels. Natural wood effect flooring is particularly favourable. Flooring should avoid flecks, striped or patterned effects as they can cause ocular disturbances, confusion and even hallucinations. Logos should be avoided in flooring and any glossy, shiny or sparkly effect flooring would be problematic for many individuals.

Contrast is a fantastic tool for your design belt when creating inclusive spaces. Ensuring a reasonable tonal contrast between floors and walls (whilst avoiding overly dark flooring) is recommended with a specification of a 30 degree difference in light reflectance values (LRV) to be achieved between critical surfaces ( ie: floors to walls, doors to walls). LRV is the measure of the percentage of visible and usable light which is reflected from a surface when illuminated by a light source. Utilising these suggestions around tonal contrast supports the delineation of surfaces and aids navigation of a space reducing the risk of accidents as well as the stress which comes from becoming disorientated in an environment.

Following on from tonal contrast, adjoining flooring should be similarly toned to prevent the perception of steps or incline/decline which may lead to gait adjustment resulting in trips, falls and general unsteadiness. The guidelines here suggest LRVs should be a maximum of 8 degrees between flooring and the fewer degrees of difference the better. Transition strips between flooring should ideally have a difference of no more than three degrees of LRV to avoid the illusion of floor height change.

Noise Reduction: Dementia Friendly Flooring

Anyone who has been to any healthcare facility or group residential home will know that, on the whole, they tend to be open spaces with a high potential for unwanted and disruptive noise. This additional noise can create disorientation, agitation and stress for patients and visitors, particularly those with sensory issues. Even the simple act of walking down an echoey corridor can be an unpleasant experience for someone with dementia so any reduction of sound can improve the experience. Acoustic flooring solutions have many applications and sound dampening properties are particularly favourable for those designing dementia friendly spaces.

The Best Flooring for Creating Dementia Friendly Environments: Forbo Flooring

The design teams at Forbo have worked closely with the DSDC and Dementia care experts to create a portfolio of dementia friendly flooring. These Include:

Marmoleum: Forbo Dementia Friendly Floors Available from Hamilton Flooring

Marmoleum is an incredible product that Hamilton Flooring finds ourselves recommending for a number of commercial and domestic spaces. Available in a huge variety of designs, there are numerous tranquil tones and uniform colourways which comply with dementia friendly specifications. Marmoleum has a cushioned and smooth surface which makes navigating and manoeuvring spaces simple even when mobility is challenging. It is also incredibly hardwearing and easy to clean making it an ideal solution for any environment experiencing high footfall and the use of mobility aids.

Step Slip Resistant Vinyl: Forbo Dementia Friendly Floors Available from Hamilton Flooring

Available in natural stone and wood designs as well as muted colours, step safe vinyl and the Surestep Balance Range is specifically tailored to dementia friendly spaces. Subtle, minimalist designs and a matt finish make step slip resistant vinyl a great choice for dementia friendly design whilst remaining contemporary and stylish. The embodiment of Forbo’s ‘design for purpose’ philosophy.

Eternal Heterogeneous Vinyl: Forbo Dementia Friendly Floors Available from Hamilton Flooring

For homely and comfortable environments, Eternal Heterogeneous Vinyl is a wonderful choice with muted and all-over designs available matching those you would find in the home but with the added benefits of characteristically dementia friendly flooring.

Flotex Flocked Flooring Range: Forbo Dementia Friendly Floors Available from Hamilton Flooring

All of the flooring types we have mentioned are compatible with regular cleaning and high hygiene standards, however the Flotex Flocked Flooring range has a unique construction allowing for easy cleaning and the confidence of a hygienic surface combined with dementia friendly design. Muted tones and the absence of flecks and sparkle reduces confusion and over stimulation whilst looking welcoming and attractive. The seamless nature of this flooring makes it particularly suited to corridors and pathways.

Dementia Friendly Flooring at Hamilton Flooring - Your Local Flooring Experts

Dementia-friendly flooring can create environments that help those living with the condition maintain their independence, by making navigation easier and creating an atmosphere of comfort, whilst enhancing safety measures and reducing the risk of falls.

Key Considerations For Choosing Dementia Friendly Forbo Flooring with Hamilton Flooring

Working with our expert flooring team, we will help you find the most suitable dementia friendly flooring solution to enhance the safety, comfort, and independence for individuals with dementia.

Choose from a huge range of flooring options to suit most budgets, with characteristics including;

Non-slip surfaces to reduce fall risk
Contrasting colours defining spaces and aiding navigation
Soft and cushioned surfaces to reduce impact in the case of a fall
High hygiene standards with specialist flooring and low maintenance surfaces
Simple patterns, solid colourways and natural wood and stone effect flooring
Noise reduction properties to reduce overstimulation and disorientation
Stylish, high quality products designed for high traffic areas
Professional preparation and installation to ensure quality and longevity

Hamilton Flooring are highly experienced with the knowledge and professionalism you need to ensure your flooring solution is the best for the environment it serves. From consultation through to aftercare, Hamilton Flooring are here to support you with your next flooring project. Contact us today to discuss all your commercial and domestic flooring needs.