Considerations for Aged Care Facility Design
Stainless steel has a big role to play in the the aged care sector which is predicted to grow significantly in the future with the number of Australians aged 65 and over forecast to double over the next 40 years according to Treasury’s 2015 Intergenerational Report (1.). Furthermore, it is estimated by the Aged Care Financing Authority (1.; ACFA) that a hefty 76,000 new residential aged care places will be required by 2023-24 in order to meet this demand.
With all of this new construction in the aged care sector, there are many a concern for the architects, designers and builders tendering for or commissioned to these projects.
As is sadly the case, residents in aged care may be more vulnerable to infection (2.) , and older adults are at an increased risk of having a fall, a common and frequently overlooked source of injury among the elderly (3.). These two factors alone make safety and hygiene an imperative consideration for aged care facilities.
There are a number of ways through which aged care providers seek to promote safety and hygiene for their residents through their internal policies and practices. These things are also considered well before this – in the planning and construction of care facilities.
Stainless Steel Floor Grates for Safety and Hygiene in Aged Care.
Stainless Steel floor grates are an asset in the architects’ toolbox when it comes to designing aged care facilities. Stainless Steel grates can be used in a number of locations to prevent trip and slip hazards, as well as promoting mobility, by providing a well drained and level plane. Furthermore stainless steel presents an impervious and easy to clean medium, thus assisting in the prevention of the spread of germs.
Stainless steel grates for safety and mobility
Often, simple things around a house can present both a hindrance to mobility as well as an outright hazard to those prone to falls. Simple things that many younger folk take for granted, such as door frames, doormats, step in showers and stairs , can present a major challenge to mobility impaired elderly people. Stainless Steel grates can be used to take away these problem in nursing home, respite facilities and even in the home.
Stainless steel grates for hygiene
Stainless steel is a common element in locations where hygiene is of the utmost importance, as a non-porous and easy to clean medium. Furthermore, stainless steel is temperature and chemical resistant so it can withstand stringent cleaning regimes.
Other benefits of stainless steel grates
Stainless steel is by nature corrosion resistant and durable, and while these things do not impact on the value of stainless grates in the short term, they do ensure better long term outcomes than grates made of inferior materials. Simply put, stainless steel grates will last longer and will not rust and crack creating a nasty hazard in the future.
At Auswave Products we pair the efficacy of stainless steel with our superior design and construction method to ensure the optimum in grate longevity.
How Can Auswave Products’ Stainless Steel Grates by Used in Aged Care Facilities?
Ramps
Ramps are among one of the many “musts” when it comes to accessibility. While they can be made of many different materials, one of the key advantages of stainless steel grate ramps is their drainage qualities – No flowing water as it simply drains straight through.
Our heelguard ramp grates are both wheelchair friendly and prevent heels (and therefore, the much wider diameter of a walking stick) from becoming stuck. They are also available in a slip resistant finish for added grip.
Entry Mats
Grate entry mats present a flush door mat solution. Unlike other varieties that rely on a carpeting material for absorbance, grate entry mats rely on drainage, water and dust being whisked away into a drainage tray.
Linear Shower and Bathroom Drainage
Linear shower and bathroom grates are a big winner for aged care bathroom facilities, helping make the walk-in or wheel-in shower possible. Linear drainage, unlike more traditional drainage, is level plane and requires only a singular gradient to effect optimal drainage, thus making for a flatter floor. When correctly planned and placed, linear shower grates eliminate the need for a raised shower threshold. Moreover, linear grates provide a wider area of drainage to get wet areas dry, quicker.
Threshold Drainage
Similarly to their application in showers, linear floor grates can be used to prevent the need for a raised door threshold. Rather than a physical barrier to prevent the inward flow of water, a linear drain takes its place.
Threshold drainage is ideal at door lines to balconies or to other outdoor spaces that may be subject to weather. These are installed with varieties of doors that do not require any type of raised frame, for example, bi-fold doors.
If you are looking to plan or design an aged care facility and interested in how our stainless steel grates can help you achieve your objectives, Contact Us,
References:
- Deloitte 2016. Australia’s aged care sector: economic contribution and future directions. Deloitte, viewed 19 December 2019, <https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/12_2016/aged_care_guild_-_enclosure_1_-_deloitte_access_economics_-_australia_s_.pdf?>
- Department of Social Services 2013. Prevention and control of infection in residential and community aged care. Department of Social Services. viewed 19 December 2019, <https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/01_2015/infection_control_booklet_-_december_2014.pdf>
- Health Direct 2017. What causes Falls, Health Direct. viewed 19 December 2019, <https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-causes-falls?>