At Easton Homes' dining area (designed by Reese, Lower, Patrick & Scott, Ltd.), flooring, fabrics, and fixtures work together to provide a warm, home-line atmosphere.

Striving to make residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities feel more at home is the aim of many operators of such facilities today. They are utilizing a number of innovative materials to achieve a warmer, cozier environment.

And while these facilities may have lost their institutional look and feel, they haven't compromised cleanliness, according to Rett Howard of Beverly Enterprises in Fort Smith, Arkansas. "The biggest advancement we've seen is the ability to use carpet in areas we never were able to before," he says.

An anti-microbial carpet manufactured by Lees is a popular flooring choice because of its rubber Unibond backing and built-in fungus- and germ-fighting chemicals, he explains. Since it takes the place of slick flooring, this carpet really reduces falls, which helps to cut down on injuries. In addition, it's cleaner and quieter than tile floors. Equally important, it makes a room more home-like and less institutional."

Stacy Hollinger, an interior designer with the Lancaster architectural firm of Reese, Lower, Patrick & Scott, says not only are the new anti-microbial carpets sanitary, they are available in a variety of colors and patterns. "They really help to present a homey feel in rooms that traditionally were very sterile-looking," she says.

That homey feel may also be conveyed with new sheet vinyl that looks like wood, she says. The product is nonporous and scratch-resistant, so it's a good choice for flooring in dining areas. This complements other upgrades being installed in assisted-living facilities today, she says. "Residents are more sophisticated and knowledgeable in their design requests," she explains. "They have requested wood cabinetry and Corian counters to remind them of home."

Another attribute of vinyl flooring is that it is less slippery than vinyl composite tile, which traditionally has been the floor of choice in many nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. The result is far fewer accidents, Howard says.

Furnishings also have received facelifts in skilled-care facilities. Much furniture is upholstered with Crypton fabric, which Hollinger says is impervious to stains and has a high double-rub rating, making it very durable because it doesn't wear through. Howard says Crypton, which looks and feels like cloth, is a perfect choice for couches and dining room chairs where spills occur. He notes the cost may be 10 to 15 percent more than traditional fabric choices but "is well worth it in the long run."

European showers are becoming popular in nursing homes, Hollinger says. "They're all open-no shower doors and no curtains to get in the way." She says to cut down on splashes, shower stalls are equipped with wands so that water may be directed.

While there are no new wall-covering products on the market, Hollinger says wall coverings in nursing homes and assisted living facilities generally are Type II grade, which means they're designed for use in high-traffic areas that tend to need more maintenance and heavy cleaning.