Care home bathrooms


than ever before. Free-standing bidets have become less common and a less permanent solution is more appealing for care homes, to enable the provision of more flexibility in the transition between residents and to keep control of costs. Two modern options are built-in or two-in-one bidets with an over-toilet seat attachment. The seat-like attachment bidet for existing toilets is very cost- effective to buy and install compared to other options. The cost and installation of a seat-like attachment bidet is typically less than £1,000.


The solution is also transferable, so


if there is a change of resident or the current occupier no longer needs the use of a bidet, it can be removed, sanitised and used elsewhere in the care home as required. Where space is a premium the seat-like attachment also overcomes the need for additional floor space in the bath, shower, wet or washroom. Seat-like attachment bidets can offer a wide range of functions. For maximum dignity and independence, the features to look out for include: l Instant water heating technology and a range of temperature control options.


l An adjustable spray nozzle that can alter intensity and the type of spray.


l A range of drying temperatures and speeds so choices can be suited to the individual.


l For ultimate safety find a bidet that has an integral seat sensor, so that the bidet can only be activated when someone sits on the seat.


l A self-cleaning function to ensure the


A person with dementia or visual impairment may assume that the colour change from flooring to a shower tray means there is a step up or down and fall


bidet hygienically clean before and after every use.


l A low noise heater, pump and dryer for discreet operation.


l A remote, which makes the bidet easy to use for everybody. It removes the need to use side controls and can also support carer options within the room whilst maximising dignity.


Minimising bathroom falls As well as promoting resident independence through toileting, it is essential to ensure that both public and private bathroom spaces are as safe to move around as possible for those with mobility, visual impairment and dementia diagnoses. After all, care home residents are


three times more likely to fall than their community dwelling peers and ten times more likely to sustain a significant injury as a result.2


and lighting in high-risk bathroom areas, these falls can be minimised. When it comes bathroom flooring:


Ensure the flooring meets anti-slip standards Accessible bathroom flooring should conform to both HSE and international


standards and have high barefoot and footwear slip resistance. If possible, choose flooring such


as AKW’s new anti-slip vinyl flooring, which has a pendulum test value (PTV) that exceeds wet room requirement standards, providing complete peace of mind for end users and care home managers.


By thinking about the flooring


Avoid changes in floor colour that can create confusion A person with dementia or visual impairment may assume that the colour change from flooring to a shower tray means there is a step up or down and fall. To avoid this, ensure that the wet room is finished using safety flooring in a single colour and does not incorporate large speckles. The large speckles can be misinterpreted as pieces of dust or dirt that a person with dementia will try and pick up and potentially fall over while doing so.


Avoid patterns on the flooring Avoid the use of shiny flooring, as this can be perceived as being wet. In addition, choose a floor colour that is uniform and does not contain a pattern or raised dimples, as these can be mistaken for dirt by someone with dementia and can lead to an increased fall risk.


Bathroom lighting One of the easiest ways to reduce the incidence of falls within the care home environment is to make sure that areas are sufficiently well-lit for residents. To achieve this, a mix of task-specific lighting and overall ambient lighting is needed to deliver adequate light levels for showering, shaving and other personal care activities. For those with low vision or mobility issues, the avoidance of shadows, dark areas and glare are key to safe movement around the space. To light the space well, without it feeling stark or ‘medical’, care home providers should include: l Warm-coloured LED lighting – choose


40 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com • April 2021


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