Nursing Home Design Guide
2006
safety of both the resident and the
bathroom bedpan equipment often
assistant. ADAAG recognizes the
results in unhygienic splatter or
use of shower chairs in medical
splash. Washing and sanitizing
facilities. The Access Board has
equipment can be inadvertently
pointed out, for purposes of
grabbed or used by residents. Such
interpreting ADA, which Nursing
equipment is also inconsistent with
Homes are a subset of "medical
goals of a residential model.
facilities." Provision of shower chairs
rather than benches is consistent
Where permitted by local codes,
bedpan washing and sanitizing
with ADAAG and should be provided
in bathrooms in both resident
facilities may be included in a
bedrooms and bathing suites.
conveniently located soiled utility
Omission of Back-Wall Grab Bar
room. This is suggested as an
Where permitted, the grab bar at the
alternative to being located in the
back wall may be omitted, if the fold-
resident toilet room. Provisions
up side rails can be locked in an
should be made for bedpans to be
upright position and held for toileting
appropriately covered or bagged and
when facing the toilet.
sealed for safe removal.
Use of Fold-Up Grab Bars
Floor Drains
To accommodate lifting and
If permitted by applicable codes, the
transfers, securely mounted, wall
resident toilet room may include a
hinged, fold-up bars should be
floor drain. Unless they are used
installed to individually and safely
periodically, floor drains may require
swing up or out of the way. Use of
regular maintenance to avoid
fold-up grab bars may need to be
problems of odor and sewer gas
approved by local jurisdictions,
build-up. Methods for achieving
particularly those applying state
proper maintenance may need to be
codes based on ANSI A117.1. The
indicated during plan review. The
justification for applying for use of
resident's handheld shower may be
fold-up bars is to meet the functional
helpful in drain maintenance.
needs of both residents and staff.
Structural security and safety is of
The combined impact of space,
concern to many review agencies
fixture placement, door design, and
and should be reviewed with both
rail placement and selection should
the manufacturer and construction
be carefully coordinated to respond
team, all of whom should be made
to movement, assistance and safety
aware of the heights and weights of
needs. Each resident should have
the predominantly male veterans, as
immediate access to a toilet room
well as the care giving staff, who will
from the resident bedroom without
use them.
having to move through a public
Shower Chairs in Lieu of Fold-up
corridor.
Benches
Fixtures and Equipment
Use of shower chairs is the preferred
Fixtures should be selected and
method of showering for the typical
placed to accommodate the sweep
Nursing Home resident, to allow
of a minimum diameter of 5'-6" [1676
repositioning and to increase the
mm] three-point turn for suitable
Office of Facilities Management
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