| Floor Type | Description |
| Cork | Cork flooring can be waxed to prevent water damage and make the flooring stain resistant. When waxed, cork flooring is easy to clean and disinfect. The softness of the material can also help to cushion any falls that may occur. The downside to this flooring material is that it is not as durable as other recommended flooring options for LTC facilities. |
| Padded Vinyl | Padded vinyl flooring is easily disinfected and can resist stains as well. This flooring type is easy to clean and require minimal maintenance. This is also the universal type flooring and can be used for rooms, common areas, and bathrooms. The extra padding beneath the vinyl can provide warmth and help to cushion the floor, reducing the risk of injury for residents. Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of colors making it easy to help contrast the edge of the floor with the edge of the wall. This can help orient residents in smaller spaces, such as bathrooms and bedrooms. |
| Padded Linoleum | Padded linoleum shares many qualities with padded vinyl expect for this flooring type is natural. Any risks with fumes or chemicals are reduced. The downside to this flooring is that it is not as stain resistant as other flooring types. |
| Rubber | Rubber is claimed as the safest material to use for LTC facilities, as well as the easiest flooring type to maintain over time. Rubber is naturally water and stain resistant, which decreases the need for coatings or waxes. This flooring type is also helpful to reduce injury from fall as the impact from a fall gets dissipated throughout the flooring. A drawback from this flooring reported by users is that rubber emits a faint smell that can be unpleasant to some staff and residents. |
| Carpet | Carpet is usually discounted due to its low stain resistance. However, carpet can be replaced much easier than other flooring types and can provide a home-like feel through colors and patterns. Overall, carpet requires low maintenance and can come in a variety of textures, patterns, colors, and thicknesses. When used in dining areas, carpet can help to reduce the noise levels due to its acoustical properties of absorbing sound. This is a potential solution to help those with Alzheimer’s and dementia to keep an appetite. It has been reported that loud dining space can reduce the appetite and overall food intake of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease34. LTC facilities have also reported higher resident and staff satisfaction rates for carpeted rooms. A downside to using carpet is the chance for seam permeability, which is when the seam that holds two sheets of carpet together begins to unravel. Carpet is also a good option only if the concrete of the subflooring is properly sealed, which is an expensive process if not sealed. |