0 Is your home suitable for your needs?

• Lifestyle
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 17-02-2023

Is your home suitable for your needs? Take the self-assessment to find out. by visiting: adaptmyhome.org.uk/home/main Adapt My Home allows you to check how well your home supports your needs, and whether you could benefit from some adaptations to help you stay safe and independent. You will be asked some quick questions about how you are managing at home. Don’t worry, the information you provide will never be shared with anyone else unless you want to, this is just to help you see your options. Our assessment tool will then tell you how suitable your home is for you and give you some possible next steps to make it better.   https://adaptmyhome.org.uk/meanstest  

0 The 2022/23 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List

• Disability
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 15-02-2023

The 2022/23 Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List is as follows... This long-awaited league table of the most inclusive employers in the UK finally shines a light on best practice across all strands of diversity – age, disability, gender, LGBT, race, faith, and religion.  

0 Care Home Bathroom Safety

• Care Homes
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 14-02-2023

Care Home Bathroom – Safety First   We are all familiar with the contents in a bathroom, so you would think that the bathroom would be considered a safe environment by most people. However, the bathroom is a work environment in some sectors, in particular the care industry. All nursing homes will have bathrooms which may be with an en-suite or an individual main bathroom. The en-suite will normally be used only by the occupants in the room while the main bathroom used by several different residents. The care home manager has a duty of care to both the workforce and to the residents to ensure all areas within the home are safe to use. In this work environment there are health & safety and infection control considerations which will need to be assessed through the risk assessment. Hazards in a bathroom A risk assessment will identify the potential hazards within a bathroom and highlight any further controls needed to ensure it remains safe to all service users and stakeholders. The key types of hazards to consider in a risk assessment are: Space Lighting Temperature of water Slip, trips, falls. Infection control Bathroom equipment Mould from condensation Space There should be adequate space for the service user to be comfortable when using the toilet and bath or shower. If a hoist is required, then consideration must be given to the area around the hoist to allow staff a sufficient area to work in and ensure the safe use of hoists. Lighting The lighting must be suitable and sufficient for the use of the bathroom, allowing both staff and residents to be able to see what they are doing properly. Temperature of water The temperature of the water must be checked at regular intervals to ensure that it does not cause burns to the residents and must not exceed 44°C. The correct mixing taps should also be used, such as thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs). Slip, trips, falls The flooring should be suitable for the intended use of the bathroom and the floor covering must consider that it will become wet. Infection controls The bathroom must be cleaned after use to prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and bins will need to be cleaned and emptied regularly. Bathroom Equipment All equipment such as bath lifts and hoists used within the bathroom should be inspected and maintained regularly. Mould from condensation Good ventilation will help prevent the development of mould in the bathroom. Where possible, use natural ventilation but if you do open a window ensure that there are windows restrictors in place. The bathroom is a relatively safe area but will still need to be risk assessed to ensure it remains safe for each individual resident. The care home manager should ensure that regular planned inspections are carried out to ensure the bathroom remains a low-risk environment.

0 2023 Bathroom Trends

• Inspiration
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 10-02-2023

0 Accessible Shower Enclosure

• Walk In Shower
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 10-02-2023

0 Improving Your Bathrooms With Wall Panels?

• Bathrooms
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 09-02-2023

Bathroom Walls Panel The bathroom wall panel are hundred percent durable and waterproof in nature. Their finished surfaces don’t allow water to seep through them and maintain a decent internal environment. It is made up of environmentally friendly material compared to tiles, cement plasters, and concrete block walls. Installation of these wet wall panels is quick and easy. Even you can set up the frame of the wall panel with screws and hinges and then place the chunks accordingly. The joints of wet walls are precisely made to avoid any concealment and additional fixtures. You will have to apply a limited amount of silicon at the back of the panels to make them stick in one piece. Wall panels remain fresh and smooth for years, creating an ideal interior for your bathrooms. It is observed that many people are updating their bathrooms with wet wall panels and remodelling their entire houses.  Why Choose Wet Wall Panels? Wall panels are an ideal fit for your bathrooms. They are definitely long-lasting, durable, and easy to clean and disinfect compared to tiles and marble. You can completely change the entire look of your existing suite or bathroom by installing wet wall panels, shower panels, and LED fixtures.

0 Recognising pain in those living with Dementia

• Health
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 08-02-2023

Pain is a natural human sensation. We experience different kinds of pain that produce different kinds of actions and reactions. Mental pain over loss is often known as grief, which can often make people experience heightened emotions, especially those that are negative, whereas a physical pain from say a broken bone, would cause a different reaction. But in people living with dementia, pain can be a more complex issue. Someone with dementia can sometimes be unable to identify that they are in pain and can find it even more difficult to tell anyone they are in pain, hurting, tired or even unwell. For example, they could have taken a nasty fall or trip earlier in the day but not recognized the sensation as pain, or completely forgotten about it and are unknowingly making the situation worse. As mentioned above, another major barrier when it comes to dementia can be communication, especially in the later stages, so it could just be really difficult to communicate what pain this person is feeling and where – making it more difficult to treat. Whether the pain is physical or emotional, someone with dementia may not be able to tell you what it is they are experiencing, which can be one of the reasons why aggression and irritability is a symptom often associated with this condition. But how can you recognise pain or potential emotional issues in someone with dementia if you work in an environment where you have a duty of care over people living with dementia, such as a care home? – Signs of anger/ frustration: underlying emotional issue– Very small appetite or stopped eating: dental problems or appetite.– Very protective over being touched in specific places: There could be a problem in that area.– Tearful when moving: Joint pain or finger/toenail over-growth.– Temperature: Migraines or a potential flu/virus Above are just a few quick observations that you could probably make from careful observation, so if you notice any of these we would recommend investigating further and keeping an eye out for any more emerging symptoms. If you are all about making bathrooms accessible for everyone and reducing the risk of injury, then a dementia-friendly bathroom needs to be a consideration. With cool touch showers and heating options, colour contrasting key areas and level access showering, the risk of injury can be greatly reduced. 

0 20 Top Bathroom Trends in 2023

• Inspiration
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 08-02-2023

20 Top Bathroom Trends in 2023   Cream tone bathroom     Decorative Lighting       Mix and Match Tiles     Japandi Design     Blending Styles       Tile Wall Designs       Nature-Inspired Elements     Dusty Blues and Greens     Spa-Like Bathrooms     The Bathtub As a Focal Point     Irregular Mirrors     All White Walls and Cabinetry     Textured Tiles     Gold Accents     Bold (and Custom) Elements     Stone Showers     Floating Shelves     Colourful Cabinetry        Pedestal Sinks   Dark Finishes    

0 60+ Breathtaking Walk In Shower Ideas

• Inspiration
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 07-02-2023

0 Providing Support & Stability in the Bathroom

• Accessories
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 07-02-2023

When it comes down to showering it should be a time of relaxation, many see it as alone time, a time of reflection and it should be as comfortable as it possibly can be. People who live with disabilities may not have this privacy and relaxation when it comes to showering, due to the number of hazards presented in a wet, slippy bathroom, so alongside our guide on designing bathrooms for the visually impaired, we thought we’d let you know about our huge choice of shower seats that will help with bathroom independence. Properly installing a shower seat lowers the likelihood of slips and falls by providing a comfortable position to shower in, sitting down. We believe shower seats should be sturdy, comfortable and secure. There are many different types of shower seats, for different needs. The 2000 series of shower seats is a more than capable, practical range of furniture that will give support and comfort where it is used. This range can support a weight of up to 25 stone so it is sturdy and reliable, you can even buy extra cushion sets for the desired level of comfort. Specs: Compact option, designed for smaller enclosures and where space is limited Comfortable in use For users up to 158kg/25 stone The 4000 series contains many different model switch ups with different purposes in mind, such as a horseshoe seat or a flat, wide seat, but all models also contain a solid set of similar features such as adjustable position for comfort at different heights and a sturdily designed structure that can hold up to a weight of 40 stone. Specs: Designed in consultation with occupational therapists, end users and installers Adjustable for comfort, with seat heights of between 390-640mm (provided by two sets of leg height supplied as standard) Sturdy design, carries weight up to 254kg/ 40 stone A more portable alternative to these is the freestanding stool range. This may be one to go for if you’re installing in a multi user bathroom or for a user that plans on going travelling a lot and needs that basic stability and comfort away from home. They’re easy to carry and just easy to use as our wall mounted seats. They are also adjustable in terms of height options. Specs: Easy to pack away and store or carry, ideal for travelling Available with easy clean white plastic finish Stylish wooden and chrome options Adjustable height options All of our shower seats are sturdy and reliable, but if you’re still not too sure which one would be best for you – don’t hesitate to contact us