The Role of Bathing Technology in Assisted Living.

For years bathing technology manufacturers have been evolving their skilled care-oriented products for assisted living--i.e., toward becoming more welcoming and attractive, while still providing all the features needed for assisted bathing. The challenge of assisted living is to be "homelike" (and perhaps even better than home) and yet adaptable to residents' growing ADL needs. Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Management asked some of the leading vendors how their industry is meeting the challenge.

Nikki McMartin, Sales and Marketing Manager, Apollo Corporation: "Unlike other facilities in the long-term continuum of care, assisted living homes are non-regulated (under typical state and federal healthcare mandates) and are private pay. In a sense, residents are very much like members of exclusive athletic clubs or guests at fine hotels. They are attracted to a place because of the ambiance and amenities available to them. The role of bathing technology in assisted living must recognize that residents expect and deserve these amenities: regular access to the pleasure, leisure and downright luxury of true whirlpool bathing in products designed especially with them in mind. Entry and exit must be safe and easy. Controls must be simple, understandable, convenient and easy to operate for those residents who are independent. They must also be that way for attendants when assistance is necessary.

"Bathing technology should have advanced to the point where manufacturers are able to supply attractive, stylish units as well-products that appear inviting to the residents, not something to be feared."

Greg Gale, Vice-President of Marketing, Arjo: "Assisted living bathing technology gives people the opportunity to bathe on their own without having a caregiver assist them. The bathing systems have to be user-friendly, and they must look noninstitutional.

"We found that what people value most is their independence. The tub that we have can be installed in someone's private assisted living bathroom, because it fits in the same 60-inch space as a standard bathtub. It has a power-operated door that residents can raise or lower on their own by pushing a button. Since assisted living bathrooms are typically small, the door works like an inverted roll-top desk, retracting under the tub and leaving room for a walker or wheelchair."

Rick Millard, President, Comfort Designs, Inc.: "Assisted living tub manufacturers are trying to get away from the institutional look. They're going to a much softer, more residential appearance. Bathtub manufacturers are also addressing little things, such as user-friendly and reachable controls for standing and sitting users. There are new non-mechanical tubs that are just coming out that are simply designed to be easier to get in and out of.

"Showers for assisted living have come a long way in the last three years. They are much more adaptable, with features such as semi-permanent thresholds to become barrier-free showers, more tile hooks in reachable locations and leg ledges that help enable lower-body hygiene for older folks who are unable to bend to wash their feet. Also, valves need to be easily turned on and off and for adjusting water temperature."

Todd Mengay, Bathing Product Manager, Invacare: "There's a difference in the styles of the tubs between those placed in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In our assisted living tubs, we move the controls of the unit closer to the resident because, typically, in an assisted living facility residents are able to turn the bath on and off for themselves.

"We try to focus on, as with the nursing homes, the therapeutic benefits of whirlpool bathing, such as relaxation, skin conditioning, etc. Obviously, since a whirlpool bath is used by a number of people in the facility, we provide disinfectants to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination."

Bryan Johnson, Vice-President of Sales, MasterCare Patient Equipment, Inc.: "Bathing technology for assisted living must increase the safety, comfort and quality of life for seniors as well as caregivers. One such technology we've introduced in recent years is a warm air hydro-massage system. This system creates a comfortable environment for the resident, and eliminates the internal plumbing loop, reducing the infection control concerns associated with conventional whirlpool systems. Another technology is a push-button power door that assures proper door closure and reduces staff training time. We also have an optional deck-mounted thermoscopic plumbing package that adds convenience and ease of installation, i.e., all controls are installed on the tub deck and not the wall. Finally, we allow a facility to showcase a system that can be used as a tub, shower or spa."

Brian McReavy, Product Manager for Bathing and Patient Handling, Sunrise Medical Continuing Care: "Assisted living should probably be thought of as low-assist or no-assist bathing. The challenge in assisted living is to provide baths and showers that are barrier-free in their design, so the resident can get in and Out with little or no assistance. Adaptive technology is the key to enhancing the functionality of any product, and we measure its return in terms of resident safety, accessibility, comfort and dignity.

"What I find about assisted living is that the facilities are built with style and aesthetics at the forefront. Developers are very aware of this. To address this need, our bath line offers a color palette of pastels such as peaches, ivories, creams and blues. Our ADA-compliant shower line features unique finishes, such as sand and silver granites.

"The trick of the light is to conceal the product's functionality from the eye of the beholder. The biggest compliment a designer/architect can pay me is when they take one of our baths, accentuate it with lights and make it the focal point of the room."