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The number of elderly who wants to access to Nursing Homes (NH) will increase due to the rapid aging society and domestic changes. Those who move into NH expect 24/7 care service in safe environment. Providing space free from danger, especially from fall, for the frail elderly is essential. The purpose of this study is to categorize performance needs of flooring materials in the aspect of safety, and analyze materials so that adequate ones for each space in NH can be suggested. Performance needs are as follows; slip resistance (dry/wet), fire resistance, resilience, water resistance, soil retardant, anti-bacterial, gloss, sound absorbtion. maintenance, durability, ease replacement, color and pattern variety, visual and tactual texture, tactile warmth, IAQ, sustainable material (before use), impact to nature (after use). They are categorized under function, economy, sensibility and sustainability. It was found that there are better materials than common ones that has been used repeatedly in NHs, such as vinyl sheets and VCT. In overall, Cork flooring and nylon carpet met all four categories, followed by wool carpet, rubber and linoleum. For bedroom, wood flooring, Cork, rubber, wool carpet, nylon carpets were suggested. In bathroom with shower, rubber, vinyl sheet and porcelain tiles were safe materials. As living/dining room and corridor floors, wool carpet, nylon carpet, cork flooring would be excellent as they are resilient and durable. The result of this paper can be used by both NH managers and material companies, resulting better quality of life of the elderly by providing safe environment.
Miryum Chung (Fri,) studied this question.