COVER STORY
Dementia-Friendly Bathrooms
Did you know that it costs no more to install a dementia- friendly bathroom than a standard bathroom adaptation? AKW tells us more.
In the UK 20% of people aged 80 or over have dementia or some form of serious memory loss. In less than ten years, it is predicted that there will be one million people living with dementia in the UK, making it clear to see the growing need for dementia-friendly bathroom solutions.
More than 800,000 people in the UK are already living with dementia and, with around 163,000 new cases diagnosed in England and Wales each year, care homes are increasingly being called upon to fit safe and easy-to-use bathroom facilities.
A dementia-friendly adaptation goes beyond simply installing grab rails. When there is a duty of care for people with dementia and a need to prioritise their quality of life and safety, it’s worth partnering with an experienced provider of inclusive living products.
Hazards in the bathroom include trip points, slippery floors, hot water and confusing layouts. What was once a comfortable and familiar room can become a challenging and sometimes frightening place that can cause upset, frustration and a reluctance to use the bathroom.
When it comes to designing a dementia-friendly bathroom, care homes should take into consideration the following key points:
1. Protection against scalding/burns Someone with dementia may progressively lose safety awareness and as a result they will become more vulnerable to scalding. By simply using thermostatically controlled taps
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and showers, this issue can be resolved. Using LST (Low Surface Temperature) heating products will also help, provided any exposed pipework is also covered.
2. Fall protection People with dementia are twice as likely to fall as others in their age group and three times more likely to die within three months of these falls. Try to reduce the number of trip hazards and ensure furniture has smooth or curved edges.
3. Memory loss Short-term memory loss can lead to a risk of flooding if the shower or tap is not turned off after use. A simple and cost effective solution here is to use a shower with an auto shut-off function.
4. Retro memory Most people with dementia have good long-term memory but poor short-term, so are more comfortable with familiar fixtures and fittings from the past. Simple retro touches with the decor can make the user feel more comfortable.
5. General confusion For some people with dementia, the reflection of their own face can cause distress and may lead them to believe another person is using the bathroom. By installing roller blinds above mirrors, they can be covered when required.
6. Floor colour perception A person with dementia may believe a sudden change in floor colour to be a step up or down,
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which on a level surface can cause trips or falls. In some cases individuals with dementia can perceive a dark colour floor as a gaping hole, while the speckled effect seen commonly in safety flooring can be seen as flecks of dust or dirt which can cause people to fall trying to pick them up. Light uniformly coloured flooring should alleviate these issues.
7. Visual confusion Contrasting colours should be used to clearly define the showering and toilet areas so the user can safely and effectively locate and use them.
For further information on creating a dementia-friendly bathroom, download AKW’s guide, which was developed with leading healthcare and building design experts, from
www.akw-ltd.co.uk/dementia or call 0800 078 7051.
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