When it comes to care home bathrooms, functionality has always been a primary concern. However, Tom Davies, sales director of retirement and care at inclusive solutions provider AKW, has noticed a recent shift in requirements driven by a growing demand for energy efficient solutions and a desire to create versatile spaces that meet a range of needs
According to a report released by Market Movers, Britain currently has a shortfall of 45,000 en suite (WC and hand-basin at a minimum) bedrooms in the elderly care home sector, and this number is set to grow. In fact, it is believed that by 2025 the shortfall will have increased to 58,000. This is being driven by an increase in demand for care from an ageing population, alongside a changing requirement from potential residents for en suite bedrooms.
To accommodate this trend, it is no surprise that newer care homes are more likely to offer a greater percentage of en suite bedrooms than their older counterparts. Despite the impact that the pandemic has had on the new build care home sector, it seems that planning applications have rebounded, with Market Movers noting an 18.9 per cent increase in the number of applications, and a 22.8 per cent increase in the number of beds being applied for in 2022 compared to 2020-21. However, with 54 per cent of the UK’s care homes at present aged 20+ years of age , there is still a need for existing bathroom refurbishments that better suit today’s residents.
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