Assisted bathing for local Crewe community

Built in 2012, Pickmere Extra Care is owned by The Guinness Partnership, which as a social landlord, provides housing for over 120,000 people nationwide. Pickmere provides 85 one and two-bedroom dwellings for the over 55s with 24/7 emergency response monitoring. It allows residents with limited mobility or disability to live independently within apartments that were specifically designed by Occupational Therapists.

Each property has easily manageable features and enhanced accessibility such as wider doorways and level access wet rooms. Construction includes eco friendly design so energy efficiency is maximised for reduced utility costs and effective sustainability. This architecturally clever approach is also employed in the impressive communal facilities which provide a sociable atmosphere enjoyed by elderly and disabled residents.

Onsite features include a bistro restaurant, cafe, hair salon, spa and therapy rooms. Within this shared environment there is a fully accessible bathroom which provides assisted bathing for residents and people from the surrounding area. As part of its regeneration, Gainsborough Specialist Bathrooms provided a new care bath for this facility so that the latest safety and comfort could be provided, namely through a hi-lo Gentona.

Pat Sandland, Pickmere Manager, comments:

“We find our communal bathroom is an useful addition to our service offer. It is used each day by several residents and people living in local communities. Many only have a shower at home or if they do have a standard bath, they cannot get in and out safely.”

The Gentona bath provides full powered assistance for bathers and carers so access is safe and comfortable, without any manual lifting or the risk of slips and falls. In the 15x15m bathroom, Gainsborough installed overhead rails for hoist transfers and ensured wheelchair users have ample space to move around.

Pat Sandland, Pickmere Extra Care Manager (left) and fellow team member (right) with resident bather and the new powered Gentona specialist bath from Gainsborough Specialist Bathrooms.

The Gentona is a power-assisted bath that provides variable height and a bather transfer seat. It is the flagship product from Gainsborough which has been a specialist UK bath manufacturer for over 30 years. Suited to a plethora of client needs in care homes, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, the Gentona is chosen to provide safe and dignified bathing for vulnerable individuals. It provides complete assistance to transfer a bather into the bath and hi-lo adjustment so carers can assist at a safe working height.

With the Gentona raised to equal eye level, carers can engage more fully with bathers and the need for bending whilst providing personal care is negated – avoiding the risk of back and muscle injury.

Unique to the Gentona, is its ultra-efficient water saving technology and antimicrobial BioCote protection. Invisible and integrated during the manufacturing process, BioCote provides 24/7, 99.9% protection against harmful Superbugs such as Influenza, E.coli, Salmonella and antibiotic resistance microbes. It cannot be wiped or worn away and is proven to be far more effective than traditional liquid disinfectants which gives staff, bathers and carers peace of mind.

The communal bathroom is a rare feature amongst later living schemes and also benefits the local community. For a small cost per session and following a suitability assessment, people living in local communities can bathe for up to one hour. It can support people, who may have joint pain and are helped by bathing and people with skin conditions who can soak in therapeutic oils. The importance of bathing should never be underestimated in terms of well-being.