Accessibility, ease of mobility and safety are some of the important considerations in the design of aged care facilities to minimise the risk of accidents and injury among residents.
New facilities are being built and existing units renovated to address the rising demand for aged care accommodation while adhering to Australian building standards. The Building Code of Australia requires new constructions to provide access for people with disabilities, as specified in Australian Standard AS 1428.1-2009 - Design for access and mobility.
In addition to mandating continuous accessible paths of travel for wheelchair users and people with ambulatory or sensory disabilities, these standards also include provisions against hazardous design features such as step-downs, shower hobs and raised step kerbs. Given that the rate of fall incidents among residents in aged care facilities is three times that of senior citizens living in the community, these design standards play an important role in keeping older people safe, healthy and independent.
Some bathrooms can be particularly hazardous, especially for people with mobility issues. Slippery tiles, steps and shower hobs have been identified as some of the most common causes of falls. Though shower hobs are integrated into bathrooms to prevent flooding, the step-up creates a trip hazard for the user. All these hazards can be eliminated with the application of a flat and seamless surface drainage system in all the wet areas of the bathroom, preventing flooding, facilitating quick draining, and even allowing wheelchair access.
Threshold drainage is also an important aspect of aged care building design in terms of accessibility and ease of mobility. Indoor and outdoor living areas can be seamlessly connected using flat grates and troughs to allow smooth travel for wheelchair users or people with disabilities.
Australian surface drainage specialist Stainless Steel Drainage and Civil (SSDC) has been working with architects and designers to effectively address the many challenges of aged care design. SSDC’s flat and seamless drainage solutions combine a stylish aesthetic with excellent functionality to create safer indoor and outdoor spaces for older people.
SSDC recommends the Bollinger Series of stainless steel grates and troughs for modern aged care facilities to provide flat surface drainage in wet areas as well as enable seamless movement between indoor and outdoor environments. The Bollinger Series completely eliminates step-downs and uneven floor surfaces, minimising the risk of fall incidents among aged care residents while also promoting independent living.
Manufactured in Australia for Australian conditions, SSDC surface drainage solutions can also be tailored to suit specific site requirements, especially in renovations, upgrades and refurbishments at aged care facilities. The entire range of flat, seamless grates and troughs is supplied in made-to-measure lengths to fit project specifications.
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