This study addresses some of the difficulties experienced by older people in their wish to live independently. As their agility and dexterity decline so does their ability to use conventional baths or showers safely. This problem is further exacerbated with the shift away from institutional care of the elderly to care in the community and the need for mainstream bathing alternatives that are suitable for domestic environments.
Research partner ESL Industries produce bathing solutions for older and less able people in the housing and care home markets but wished to extend their product range. Their intention in initiating and supporting this study was to introduce a low-cost, inclusively designed product that would appeal to local authority, housing association and care home markets in addition to the wider domestic market.
To achieve this objective, Barford worked closely with carers and residents at a residential care home in Surrey and developed the unique ‘Watergate’ bath in response to this research which incorporates two sections. Each has its own plughole for drainage and although one section is essentially ‘dry’ and the other ‘wet, a pair of inner doors - not unlike lock gates in their principle of operation, enable the two sections to become one for bathing purposes. The bather can enter and leave the bath safely and conveniently via a pair of side opening doors provided in the ‘dry’ area.
This case study demonstrates how a combination of user research and creative design thinking can generate practical yet surprisingly novel solutions in a challenging market.
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Older users, walk-in baths, bath seats, independent living, inclusive design, personal hygiene
