Washrooms


force required to access liquid or foam soaps via some dispensers can be high, and this could prove difficult for elderly residents with stiff hands. Care home managers should therefore choose a dispenser with this in mind.


Disposable hand towels – another solution recommended by the Department of Health – will reduce the risk of cross- contamination associated with a textile towel while creating more of a ‘home from home’ experience than a noisy air dryer. The towels should be sufficiently soft to prevent any abrasion of the delicate skin of the elderly. Again, a system that allows individual hand towels to be pulled out of the dispenser one at a time will be easier to access than towels on a roll while also preventing over-consumption and keeping down costs.


A balancing act Other factors that need to be taken into account when equipping a care home washroom include the design, lighting, and colour scheme of the facility. The lighting needs to be able to facilitate good visibility for the visually impaired, while motion sensor lighting may be required to assist the resident when using the toilet at night. Care home walls tend to be painted in pastel colours to provide an airy feel, but this means that any white dispensers will quickly disappear against the pale background. Dispensers in a contrasting colour will prevent this from occurring and make it easier for the resident to locate the dispensers on the wall. Clever positioning of spotlights will help


to draw attention to the basin and toilet, helping users to find them more easily. Mirrors should be chosen with care, since these could confuse dementia sufferers who may struggle to recognise their own reflection. Small, unobtrusive mirrors work better than large ones in the care home – or the mirrors could even be removed altogether if this is considered more appropriate.


It is all too easy for a less dexterous person to scald themselves with hot water when trying to wash their hands using a


Even locating the soap and paper towel dispensers in a care home washroom can be a challenge


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traditional mixer tap. Thermostatic taps set at a controlled temperature will help to prevent scalds and burns. Pre-set valves that regulate water temperature will help to prevent the risk of scalding, and all thermostats and fittings should be regularly checked by a qualified engineer. Care home providers should carry out risk assessments to ascertain the likelihood of residents potentially scalding or burning themselves. They must take into account factors such as whether the resident is likely to try to run a bath or take a shower when unattended, and whether their lack of mobility means they would be unable to move away from the hot water source before they are scalded.


All other fixtures in a care home should


be installed with safety and dignity in mind. For example, doors to all toilets should be lockable from the inside to afford privacy while also being designed to be easily opened from the outside. Hand-grab rails should be supplied


in every toilet and bathroom along with any other specific modifications and aids that might be required by the individual resident. The toilets and bathrooms should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they are kept in a sanitary and hygienic condition. Equipping a care home washroom


is always a balancing act because there are so many factors to consider, but by using a combination of strategic thinking, empathy, a robust hygiene strategy, and the right products, care home managers will be able to offer tailored solutions that


Gina Court


Gina has worked in healthcare for nearly 17 years, working alongside infection prevention teams to help improve hand hygiene compliance through training and behavioural change. At Essity, Gina works within healthcare, delivering hand hygiene best practice to help support infection control teams to promote skin health.


allow residents to use the washrooms safely, hygienically – and with dignity.


Reference 1 Prevention and control of infection in care homes – an information resource. Department of Health and Health Protection Agency. 18 Feb 2013


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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com May 2023


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