Sunrise Senior Living Provides Seniors with Safety, Comfort and Style in Bathroom Design
Sunrise and its architects have partnered with suppliers such as Best Bath Systems to provide residents with high-quality fiberglass showers that provide safety, comfort and residential styling
(PRWEB) July 12, 2005 -- Sunrise Senior Living is acutely aware
of the importance of safety, comfort and aesthetic appeal of every aspect of
living accommodations for seniors – particularly in bathroom design. This
applies to the whole range of residents, ranging from those who are capable of
independent living to those who require rehabilitative or Alzheimer’s care.
Regardless of the level of care required, Sunrise Senior Living insists
that its facilities maintain a warm and friendly residential atmosphere, rather
than an institutional one. In order to maximize its success in doing so, Sunrise
often partners with vendors such as Best Bath Systems, Boise, Idaho, to provide
the best solutions possible.
An innovative leader in adaptable access
bathing products since 1972, Best Bath has worked with Sunrise and other
organizations involved with the planning and development of shower systems that
meet the requirements of seniors, acute care patients, residents in
rehabilitation and those requiring “universal access”
accommodations.
“Most of our residents become increasingly frail over the
years of their stay with us,” says Gene Schoenfelder, Vice President,
Construction Management Sunrise Senior Living. “So we have worked with our
design partners to make our showers adaptable in many
residences.”
According to Timothy Danforth, AIA partner in charge of
construction administration at BeeryRio Architecture + Interiors, the primary
architect for Sunrise facilities in the U.S., one of the most important
principals behind the Sunrise Senior Living concept is the
residential appearance of its facilities.
“Sunrise’s objective is to not
make the facility look like a nursing home or hospital,” explains Danforth. “So,
while these facilities are actually sophisticated commercial buildings, they are
hidden under a residential skin, so that when families come to visit the
residents they come to a very comfortable home environment, not in an
institution.”
“We have worked closely with manufacturers in designing
customized shower units for Sunrise,” says Danforth. “Best Bath has always been
responsive, stepping up and investing on re-tooling for new designs and product
enhancements.”
As an example, Best Bath collaborated with Sunrise and
BeeryRio on a unique shower design that includes a low profile, collapsible,
neoprene “water dam” at the base of the shower entry. The water dam is highly
flexible, and gives way to wheelchairs, walkers or feet, and then reforms its
original shape to prevent water from flowing out onto the bathroom
floor.
Safety devices such as grab-bars and handrails are also crucial
components in senior facilities. It is critical that safety bars are well
placed, in accordance with a resident’s size or other needs. In some cases, such
as due to injuries or increasing frailty, safety bars must be added or
relocated.
Best Bath satisfies those needs by incorporating a heavy,
1/2-inch plywood backing into the walls of its shower enclosures. This permits
the installation, relocation or addition of safety bars at virtually any
location that hold securely under lateral loads of 300 lbs.
The selection
and placement of controls is also important for fragile seniors. In some cases
the shower units at Sunrise Senior Living facilities
feature control fixtures of contrasting colors so they are easily visible to
residents.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb260734.htm