How to Design Bathrooms that Stand Out in Retirement Communities: 4 Considerations

Ensuring Ergonomic Comfort

Everyone utilizes their bathroom each day, and for longer than they might assume. This may not seem very consequential to most of us, but for those who have trouble with mobility, or who suffer from chronic pain, even this trivial portion of the day is a very big deal. Choosing fixtures in the bathroom that are ergonomically-sensitive is a small gesture that goes a long way for those who will eventually be residing in the space you’re designing. Some of the best ways to protect the comfort of elderly residents are detailed below:

• Single-handle faucet options are definitely the way to go for elderly or mobility-impaired residents. When activating and utilizing a simple, single-handle faucet, there’s little to no risk of injury to the wrist. A knob-handle style faucet requires a twisting motion each time one wishes to turn the faucet on or off, or to change the temperature of the water. This can aggravate conditions like arthritis. 
• Install robe hooks in lieu of towel bars. Towel bars can be more difficult to use than robe hooks, as they prompt the need to fold the towel after each use. For the elderly, who often have limits to their mobility, this can eventually prove burdensome. It could be a lot easier for them to simply sling the towel over the hook instead. 
• Consider adding small luxuries, like a towel warmer to sweeten the deal for elderly residents who likely live with regular discomfort or pain. It may make all the difference to them to get to enjoy an added perk.

Including All the Bells and Whistles

Aside from comfort centered ergonomics, it’s also vital to ensure that you’re in full compliance with all regulatory requirements, including any ADA and low-flow requirements. This, of course, seems very obvious. But it doesn’t hurt to have a reminder that real people will be impacted by your design choices. 

Each unit in a senior community must be outfitted with all possible features to protect the safety of the residents who reside there. Elderly residents are far more likely to get seriously injured simply by slipping and falling down. Make sure that all grab-bars, non-slip tub inserts, and emergency pull-cords are installed correctly and working well.

Bolstering Reliability and Upkeep

The time it takes to select and install a fixture is only a very small fraction of the overall life the fixture will live once situated in your building. Once residents move in, they’ll have to clean and maintain whatever you’ve decided to install for years to come. Make it easier on elderly residents by taking that into consideration and choosing fixtures that are:

easy to clean, reliably crafted (all of our products undergo rigorous factory testing, which ensures unmatched durability and demonstrated longevity), and backed by an industry-leading warranty.

All will help protect the future residents of your property from undue hassles, (and ensure a healthy ROI is sustained).

Remembering the Importance of Aesthetics

The visual appeal of your design choices still matter when constructing facilities for seniors. Just because the demographic of the future community will be more advanced in age doesn’t mean that you should forgo opting for tasteful and popular design choices. The part of the design process where you conscientiously select the more aesthetically pleasing option should happen even if it will be a residence reserved exclusively for the elderly or memory-impared. Senior homes and assisted care facilities often feel sterile and unwelcoming. If your building can help shift that expectation, many more seniors would get to enjoy their golden years in an energetic and positive environment.