Bathing systems for assisted living.

As the demand for assisted living facilities continues to grow, manufacturers of resident care equipment are becoming more keenly aware of the special needs of this market. Even more than traditional nursing home environments, these facilities focus on providing a homelike atmosphere where residents can maintain their independence, dignity and privacy. Personal hygiene, such as bathing, may require special considerations for some residents who want to remain independent, yet need minor assistance. This has created a special challenge in product adaptability for manufacturers of nursing facility bathing systems.

Bathing systems designed to meet the needs of nursing homes and hospital environments, available in different styles to meet various clinical needs, are institutional in appearance and function, with little concern for personalized use by a resident alone. Assisted living facilities, however, as much as possible place a premium on visual appeal and ease of individual use. Manufacturers of bathing systems who want to compete in this growing market have responded by adapting current products or even designing new ones to accommodate this growing new market.

They have encountered several requirements in doing so. Equipment cannot have the traditional institutional look; it must be visually appealing to the extent of resembling what residents might find in their own homes. It also must fit into the 60" standard space, be user-friendly, easy to operate independently and be affordable to the facility. The following are examples of how three manufacturers have responded:

Arjo, Inc., manufacturer of a complete range of bathing equipment for nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living environments, acquired and began marketing the Freedom Bath[R] in 1997. According to Greg Gale, VP of Marketing for Arjo, the Freedom Bath was designed specifically for the assisted living market. It not only meets the visual and dimensional requirements but also features a full-width door opening for easier accessibility. "The door actually retracts underneath the tub so it does not take up any space or create any' potential danger by swinging out into the room," says Gale. "This is particularly helpful if a resident is approaching in a wheelchair or using a walker, as the door will not create any obstacle or barrier to entry." The Freedom Bath has many of the same features as Arjo's traditional bathing systems, but its increased accessibility makes it compatible with assisted living environments.

Invacare Corporation, a leading manufacturer and distributor of home healthcare products, and respiratory and mobility products for people with disabilities, has re-engineered their Invacare[R] Silcraft[TM] Bathing Systems to address the needs of assisted living residents. "We took the basic foundation and technologies of two of our current products and combined them to create a special product for the assisted living market," says Jay Kraft, product manager for the Invacare Continuing Care Group. "We had to design and implement products that were noninstitutional looking and, from a functional standpoint, consider users in both an ambulatory and semi-ambulatory population." Bath controls were relocated for easier user access, and the appearance of the products was softened to look more residential. Standard features, such as side door entry and a contoured seating interior, were maintained to provide a full range of comfort and ease-of-use.

The Amtech Corporation of Yelm, WA, a fiberglass and vacuum-form manufacturer, has taken a different approach to the assisted living market by offering the Lavtec[TM] Seamless Bathroom Module. This module consists of a 5[feet] x 8[feet] modular unit that incorporates a complete seamless bathroom. The unit includes a tub/shower, a lavatory and a sink and vanity that, according to Larry White, sales and marketing representative, meet all ADA requirements. The tub/shower unit is flush with the floor so there is no sill or ledge for the user to navigate. According to White, the Lavtec is visually appealing and easy to install. "The unit is simply dropped in and hooked up. It looks like a bathroom in your home, with the exception of the grab bars and the fact that the vanity doesn't meet the floor, allowing for wheelchair access." The Lavtec, however, does not lend itself to remodeling projects and is designed only for use in new or add-on construction.

Some manufacturers of bathing systems are looking at the development of ancillary products that would complement current products and create a total solution for the assisted living setting. According to Gale, "We are looking for a complete solution to help people within the bathing or showering area in the assisted living environment."

Just as assisted living provides an attractive alternative to nursing homes for those who are unable to, or choose not to, live with complete independence, so does it appear to provide attractive opportunities to manufacturers who are willing to adapt their products to meet the special considerations of this market.

Jo Donofrio is a medical writer based in Cleveland, OH.