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Shower savings and efficient bidets According to Waterwise, the average showerhead uses 12 litres of water per minute (with power showers using around 15 litres). If the average shower is 10 minutes long, that means up to 150 litres of water used with every shower. That is why reduced flow mixer electric showers that can monitor water usage, frequency, and energy consumption are increasingly being specified in care homes. Some care home residents need toileting aids such as bidets. It might seem counter-intuitive, but it takes more water to manufacture toilet paper than it does to operate an efficient bidet! This might not mean a direct reduction to care home water bills, but bidets do reduce consumption of toilet paper and contribute to environmental savings. There are also now a wide range of options available, from free-standing to built-in and over-toilet seat attachments.
Keeping the lights on As well as contributing to energy savings by using LED lighting – rather than older forms of lighting – a well-lit bathroom can also help significantly reduce fall risk. Good bathroom lighting can mean the world to those struggling with mobility or visual impairment issues. With a little time and investment, using the correct lighting will help promote independence for care home residents, as well as to help reduce accidents.
For lighting to be deemed ‘good’, it needs
to deliver adequate light levels for the user to perform a variety of tasks around the space, including 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. Key factors include:
n Ambient lighting with LEDs – LED lights are highly energy efficient and provide shadow-free illumination ideal for those with visual impairment issues or those living with dementia. To maintain ambient light levels in the bathroom, LED ceiling lights should be spaced to maximise coverage and minimise shadowing.
n Narrow beam LED downlights – to highlight tasks such as shaving and washing, narrow beams of light are needed on specific spaces such as the shower area or sink. Most LED downlights on the market have a beam angle of 60°;
30
6. Prioritise ease of installation to minimise disruption – use existing wiring and fittings, or alter switches to more user- friendly versions, before implementing any major changes.
7. Plan the adaptation to suit the future – choose adaptations that respond to changing needs, new occupants and lighting innovations.
however, for those with low vision or mobility issues, a specialist task light with a 30° beam angle is required.
n Easy to use light switch or pull cord – either a rocker switch or easy to hold pull cord is advised for use in accessible bathrooms. For those with visual impairment issues, a cord in a high- contrast colour is ideal.
n Mirror lighting – lights over mirrors or embedded within the frame as a decorative feature are aesthetically appealing and ideal for those looking for task-specific lighting for shaving or make-up application.
The seven characteristics of good lighting According to the Thomas Pocklington Trust, a charity dedicated to delivering positive change to those with sight loss, significant lighting improvements can be achieved by the following: 1. Tailor the lighting to specific needs – creating a visual environment that supports a person’s chosen ambience and activities.
2. Ensure the lighting is for specific tasks, orientation, and movement – create a safe minimum level of ambient light and task focused lighting to illuminate specific areas of importance.
3. Maintain even light levels – minimise glare, deep shadows ,or sharp changes in light levels. To reduce glare, the bright areas of light sources should not be directly visible from normal directions of view.
4. Incorporate adjustment for flexibility – by adding switching, dimming, or different lighting elements for specific needs.
5. Make sure the lighting is energy efficient – appropriate lighting should be selected to meet user needs without wasting energy. This can be achieved using LED lighting.
Tom Davies
Tom has been working in the care and retirement sector with AKW for the past four years. He has worked closely with architects, clients, and main contractors to provide the best possible solution for assisted bathing in care home settings and retirement villages. Tom is aiming to bridge the gap between providing product which is safe and functional, and product which is designed with style and aesthetics in mind.
What lights to put where? For a standard sized UK bathroom (sized approximately 8ft by 6ft or 2,438mm x 1,829mm), it is recommended that two ambient LED ceiling lights are used, as well as task lights, distributed in the following way (with the user no closer than 300mm to any given task light): one task light over the toilet, one over the hand basin (or use a mirror light instead), and three over the shower and/or bath (for a space of 1,500mm x 1,500mm). In years gone by, functionality was the only focus for care home bathrooms. Now, with economic forces and an ageing population demanding change, inclusive bathroom design is evolving. Is it time to make sure that your new or refurbished bathroom meets your residents’ needs while also helping you save money and the environment?
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com March 2024
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