Joe Hulbert, sales director of Innova Care Concepts, explains how innovative design can make life in the care sector better for everybody
In the last 10 years there has been a huge change in the way the care industry approaches design – a shift away from the typical clinical environment towards spaces that are inviting not just for residents and visiting family, but for staff working in the sector, too. Staff recruitment and retention is a key issue facing social care, so creating and investing in interiors that workers want to return to, day after day, is absolutely crucial.
As Tracey Richards, director of Three Nine Designs, puts it: “Technology has made it easier to turn a care home into a home rather than an institution. Furniture has become more stylish and comfortable; flooring has become easier to clean with options to design patterns and wood effects that have slip ratings that only safety floors would have previously offered, and even lighting has stopped looking like hospital fixtures and more like a hotel while still giving out the correct LUX levels. This all adds to a care home feeling more like an inviting and homely space to live in.”
Places of work as well as places of residence
Innova Care Concepts exists to enhance the quality of life of every person living or working in an environment where care is provided. By creating the world’s most innovative and perfectly designed healthcare equipment and furniture, we make sure that residents and staff alike love spending time in their tailored care environment.
The inspiration behind Innova’s new Infinitum Furniture range is to create homely, spacious interiors that embrace a modern ‘boutique hotel’ feel. As many customers will be downsizing from a larger home, it is important for the homes within which this furniture sits to be stylish as well as practical for active lifestyles. Above all else, the next generation of care homes and retirement villages must not only meet the needs and aspirations of an aging population – they must also be high quality and beautiful spaces where residents and staff enjoy spending their day
From lounging to welcoming reception spaces to calming boudoirs, Infinitum Furniture is underpinned by subtle refinements that enhance comfort depending upon environment. This collection delivers a balance between function and cost, high-end design, and technological innovation whilst placing no limitations on infection control, hygiene standards, and, of course, aesthetic value
According to Fraser Tennent, product design consultant at Innova: “People are not just looking at the building when making such a huge life decision. They are looking for a lifestyle, to feel part of a community and to have their own safe, secure space with opportunities to remain active, socialise and learn new skills. Clean lines, and fresh and modern finishes are stylish as well as practical for active lifestyles.”
At Innova we know that beautiful, cutting-edge designed spaces will be enjoyed not only by residents, but by the staff caring for them, too. These are, after all, places of work as well as places of residence, and if operators and providers are serious about attracting and – crucially – retaining staff, they must give serious consideration to investing in beautiful interiors that have that all-important ‘wow’ factor. Staff deserve to work in a space that looks different to the similar looking, dated, and clinical spaces found in many care environments.
Innova – the full solution
Having worked within the care industry for decades, our family-owned business realised early on the importance of listening to our customers. This applies not only to the business of design, but equally to the business of logistics.
It has often been said that when opening the doors to any new establishment, the last couple of weeks can be the most challenging, with multiple daily deliveries on site, last-minute delays, and schedule overruns often being compounded by different personnel all wanting to do their job as effectively as possible, and all within that tight opening window. The risk of precious equipment and furnishings being damaged or going missing is high.
This is where Innova Care Concepts, in conjunction with our sister company - warehousing and logistics specialist Dependall - comes in. We offer an elite service of managing all the logistics and deliveries to site – for the entire project, if needs be. As experienced logistics operators, Innova can take on the role of project manager, overseeing all critical paths and ensuring that issues are clearly communicated and addressed before they impact the opening. With over 700,000 sq. ft of storage across two primely-located sites with easy access to the motorway network, we are ideally placed to take the strain out of the build-up to opening day.
Let us take you on a design journey
Innova continually strives for long-lasting and sustainable solutions which challenge the status quo and raise expectations. Our latest furniture collection reflects a culmination of engineering skill, quality design, and many years of experience. It unites ergonomic functionality with technical elegance. Infinitum Furniture is where the principle of ‘endless possibilities’ never ends
Bob Oliver, commercial director at Innova Care Concepts, says: “We at Innova are always looking for the latest innovations in healthcare. Currently, in the care and retirement living settings the choice for furniture that is truly design led yet can deliver practical requirements is very limited. With the growing demand of an aging yet more design conscious population, there is a burning need for furniture that could deliver on both counts. We also know the huge challenges placed on those last weeks before the big opening day of an establishment and knowing that we can support this by mitigating the risk.”
Working alongside designers, architects and end clients, our passionate and dedicated team are here to bring your design ideas to life. One of our secrets to a great project, big or small, is the attention to detail and the fact that we take every step with you. Let us take you on a design journey and see what Infinitum Furniture can do for you, your residents, and your staff.
Joe Hulbert
Joe began his career back in 2008 in customer service. An energetic sales director with a proven track record of delivering high levels of business within a competitive marketplace, Joe is passionate about Innova’s mission of challenging the status quo and bringing new innovations to the marketplace – the driving motivation behind the new, cutting-edge Infinitum range. His friendly approach enables him to quickly establish rapport with customers and colleagues, and he prides himself on exceeding the ever-evolving requirements and expectations of Innova’s customers.
www.innovacareconcepts.com
enquiries@innova.uk.com
0345 034 1450
