Building better bathrooms with customisation and care

Australia’s growing – and ageing population – has increased demand for healthcare and aged-care facilities. This presents a challenge for designers as healthcare environments must balance aesthetics, safety, comfort and hygiene while accommodating a varied range of ages and physical ability levels. This is especially relevant when designing bathrooms and specifying bathroom fixtures.

New Markets, New Demands

Based on recent statistics, the proportion of people aged 65 years and over has been steadily increasing. In 2017-2018, over 20,000 people presented to hospital emergency departments across the country. Considering these trends, designers must create bathroom facilities that can accommodate heavy traffic volumes and anticipate a broad range of user types.

Design Solutions for Quality Bathrooms

A careful, holistic approach is required when designing bathrooms for the healthcare sector. All elements of bathroom design, including accessories and fixtures, must work together to deliver a safe, hygienic and functional environment.

Based on Universal Design principles, some of the key strategies include accommodating a wide range of preferences, abilities and physical characteristics, minimising safety risks and ensuring low physical effort is required.

Incorporating Flexibility and Adaptability

Bathroom accessories such as washbasins, showerheads and shower seats should be height and sideways adjustable. Solutions that allow for customisation at the design and/or use stages ensure a wide range of use cases can be addressed.

Ensuring Low Maintenance and Easy Cleaning

The risk of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare facilities requires that ease of clean be a key consideration when selecting bathroom components. This should be balanced with features that enhance overall user safety and comfort.

Balancing Beauty and Utility

High quality products provide sufficient design flexibility to achieve different styles, from minimalist to ‘home-like’ aesthetics. Environments that resemble home environments are recommended as they can contribute to a patient’s sense of belonging and comfort.

HLS Healthcare

HLS Healthcare is one of Australia’s leading suppliers of high quality equipment and furniture solutions for the healthcare sector.

This Melbourne-based company sources only the highest quality healthcare products and accessories from Australia and internationally to deliver a comprehensive range of high performance, ergonomic and safe solutions that meet the needs of all users. The HLS range includes Profilo Smart’s Track & Cover, Zerogravity Height Adjustable Washbasin Bracket and Toilet Lift-up Arm Supports.

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