FURNITURE & INTERIORS
Showered in Support
GROHE, sanitary fittings specialist, discusses the key considerations to be made when designing bathrooms for the older generation.
The bathroom is particularly vital to older people, as it is the room where they perhaps most want to be self- sufficient to preserve dignity and save themselves from embarrassment. At the same time, it is an essential room in a living space in order to maintain high self-hygiene levels. There are a number of ways that bathroom design can be structured to cope with the additional demands ageing creates. An important contribution to this objective is delivered by specifically designed and engineered products combining elevated levels of comfort, ergonomics, user safety and longevity.
The room layout should avoid narrow access ways, provide sufficient turning space for wheelchairs and walkers, while placing basins and WCs in easily accessible spots- for example, a lower wall hung basin to allow access for wheelchair users. Cleverly placed grab bars in the toilet and shower area, plus a seat in the bath or shower, can help to give people confidence to use the bathroom independently. Products- wise, think about safety features, such as thermostatic shower controls to balance fluctuations in water temperature and pressure, as well as cool to the touch technology to ensure the outer surfaces of the mixers remain a comfortable temperature and never get too hot. This helps to reduce the risk of scalding and, as the technology is
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hidden within the product, the customer can still enjoy the same stylish looks.
Product control is also an important factor to consider. Easy to use and intuitive functionality is imperative, such as smooth operation levers which require minimum effort to turn the water flow on and off. Infra-red touchless taps also provide a great solution, as the water flow simply starts and stops when the sensor detects hand movement. They also oſten come with a timer which automatically stops the water flow aſter a desired length of time to reduce wastage. For showers, offerings include push button control systems which simply start and stop the water by pushing a button, for straightforward use. Many products allow the user to save their favourite settings, to avoid the process of re- setting the perfect temperature and strength of water flow each time.
In the WC area, a shower toilet provides a solution with its natural, water-only cleansing process and its wide array of customisable functions. Shower toilets use advanced technologies to minimise maintenance and cleaning, offering a perfect combination of thorough body care, ultimate hygiene and personalised comfort. Once thought of as a niche luxury, shower toilets are becoming an increasingly popular choice in bathrooms. GROHE’s Sensia Arena shower toilet allows you to choose
your preferred settings, such as water temperature and spray pattern, and remember them via its clever remote control or app so that it is ready for each use. The Sensia Arena also offers self-cleaning functions, automatic seat operation, odour extraction and an automatic flush. Alternatively, opt for framed cisterns that come with an adjustable height, ensuring a comfortable toilet experience for all.
In 2017, GROHE launched its first ceramics range, Bau, to offer a full bathroom solution for projects. All Bau ceramic toilets come complete with rimless technology as standard, making them effortless to clean. Offering wide design variety, installers can choose between basins, toilets, urinals and Bau Cosmopolitan accessories, to ensure a perfectly coordinated finish for the client. All fittings are available in various heights and models to best suit the room and space, from full and semi-basin pedestals to rimless wall- hung, floor-standing and close-coupled WCs. A variety of mounting options are also available for design flexibility and homes for less-able residents. All products have been designed to ensure a hassle-free and quick installation for specifiers and installers. For ultimate peace of mind, the Bau collection is available with a five-year guarantee on all products.
www.grohe.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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