Care home bathrooms
warm-coloured LED lights. As well as creating a welcoming space, they are highly energy efficient, able to provide shadow-free illumination and are ideal for those with visual impairment issues and dementia.
l 30° task focused LED lights - narrow beam (30°) ceiling LED task lights will direct light downward, clearly highlighting specific task areas. The majority of lights on the market have a beam angle of 60°, so ensure that 30° ones are used for those with visual impairment or mobility issues.
l Mirror lighting - lights over mirrors, or embedded within the frame as a decorative feature are ideal for those looking for task-specific lighting for shaving or make-up application and add a touch of glamour to any space.
l Easy-to-use light switch or pull cord - a rocker switch or easy to hold pull cord - that is not in red, as this is the emergency cord colour - will ensure residents can turn the lights on and off easily every time.
Showering accessibility Being able to access shower facilities,
either with or without a wheelchair, is a key factor in promoting independent care for residents as they become less mobile. Over the years, care homes have seen an evolution in room design; from the 1970s that saw no ensuite facilities available and a usable average floor space of c.9m2
, to the late 2010s, where
many care homes were offering ensuite wet rooms and had a usable floor area of c.20m2
.3 The growth in popularity of wet rooms
in care homes is to do with the flexibility offered to residents and their carers
alike. Accessible bathrooms and wet rooms have come a long way and it is now possible for the care home team to choose from a wide variety of styles and finishes to obtain the functionality required, without an institutional look and feel. It is also possible to promote easy, autonomous movement around the space, even for wheelchair users, to encourage their independence for longer.
Promote movement around the space Manoeuvring into and inside the bathroom are key considerations, not only when thinking about the wheelchair user but care assistants. With this in mind: l Prioritise level access throughout the space – use a wet room former, or a recessed or ramped shower tray.
l Ensure doors are outward facing – this increases space and helps in emergencies.
l Ensure easy and safe level shower access – use a corner design for the shower space.
l Minimise any gradient near the WC – to reduce wheelchair tipping hazards.
April 2021 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
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