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Creating inclusive bathrooms for today’s needs
When it comes to care home bathrooms, functionality has always been a primary concern. However, Tom Davies, sales director of retirement and care at inclusive solutions provider AKW, has noticed a recent shift in requirements driven by a growing demand for energy efficient solutions and a desire to create versatile spaces that meet a range of needs
According to a report released by Market Movers, Britain currently has a shortfall of 45,000 en suite (WC and hand-basin at a minimum) bedrooms in the elderly care home sector, and this number is set to grow. In fact, it is believed that by 2025 the shortfall will have increased to 58,000. This is being driven by an increase in demand for care from an ageing population, alongside a changing requirement from potential residents for en suite bedrooms. To accommodate this trend, it is no surprise that newer care homes are more likely to offer a greater percentage of en suite bedrooms than their older counterparts. Despite the impact that the pandemic has had on the new build care home sector, it seems that planning applications have rebounded, with Market Movers noting an 18.9 per cent increase in the number of applications, and a 22.8 per cent increase in the number of beds being applied for in 2022 compared to 2020-21. However, with 54 per cent of the UK’s care homes at present aged 20+ years of age , there is still a need for existing bathroom refurbishments that better suit today’s residents.
Above and beyond The UK’s private care home market makes up 82 per cent of the total care home market (£15.8 bn) and, overall, the care home landscape in the UK to date has been made up of smaller care homes, with just seven per cent having more than 75 beds. The dominance of private care homes is continuing to impact bathroom design, with residents expecting fixtures and fittings that make them feel at home, rather than reminding them of a healthcare setting. As a result, this is influencing the design of sanitaryware, with more and more inclusive
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bathroom design including aesthetically pleasing ranges. Many care home providers are also wanting to have a coherent theme to the design of their multiple bathrooms and as such, are seeking to purchase complete packages of sanitaryware and accessibility accessories from one provider.
A dementia-friendly bathroom need not necessarily cost more than a standard bathroom adaptation
Bathroom design for all An increasing demand for care home operators is to ensure that their inclusive bathrooms are designed to promote independence for all, and this includes those living with dementia. According to data from the Alzheimer’s Society, around 70 per cent of all care home residents are living with dementia or serious memory problems, with the bathroom being one of the most challenging and dangerous places for them. However, dementia-friendly design can compensate for the changes people experience when living with this condition. Importantly, a dementia-friendly bathroom need not necessarily cost more
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2024
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