Close

Browsing as a

Close

Browsing as a

We're open for business!In line with Government guidance we remain open.

Find out more >>>

#BRISTANBULLETIN: MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING

14th December 2018

Another rollercoaster week for the housebuilding sector this week, as Theresa May faced down a leadership challenge, causing a rise for shares in Brexit related housebuilders. This positivity was tempered by mixed market analyses from RICS, UBS and Shore Capital, all of which included cautions for the industry.

As we come to the close of 2018, it’s worth remembering that next year will likely offer more certainty, for better or worse, when it comes to Brexit, and will therefore hopefully begin to stabilise nervousness surrounding the UK housebuilding sector.
The Big Bristan Story: Multigenerational Living

With the UK’s ageing population leading to multiple generations living under one roof, families increasingly have to consider the needs of older people with limited mobility. This trend is creating demand for products that can be used by people of varying capabilities and the bathroom is an important area of focus.

So how can the vision of an inclusive bathroom be achieved?

According to the National House Building Council (NHBC) Foundation report ‘Multigenerational living - an opportunity for UK house builders?’ approximately 125,000 families per year are adopting multigenerational living in the UK. With more than 1.8 million households in Britain containing at least two adult generations, Britain’s housebuilders are now looking at ways of offering new homes with greater flexibility.

The bathroom is perhaps one of the most important areas of the home where accessibility needs must be considered. The good news is that new technologies are available that can help.

FUTURE-PROOFED SHOWERS


The shower has quickly become the heart of most bathrooms and therefore several factors must be considered for multi-generational households including potential visual and aural impairments.

The first point of consideration is the prevention of sudden temperature change and minimising the risk of scalding. Thermostatic electric showers, which provide a safeguard against fluctuations in water heat, are a good solution and now widely available.

Whether considering new home design or adaptation of existing properties, a shower room can also offer an attractive option. A level-access shower or wet room can overcome many of the difficulties posed by limited mobility. Assistive aids, such as a wall-mounted fold-up shower seat, can be easily added and benefit from being practical and unobtrusive.



PEACE OF MIND


Keep a look out for the BEAB Care Mark when deciding on an assistive shower, as this demonstrates compliance with additional safety requirements that take into account the needs of people in care situations, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Some products are also endorsed by the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), a charity which offers support for those with sight loss and general age-related vision impairments.

One such example is the Joy Care thermostatic shower from Bristan. This
incorporates a large dial for ease of use, raised markings and an audible click when settings are adjusted. The shower head retainer is a paddle handle, making it easier to move, and there’s an illuminated stop/start button, LED digital setting display and a grey contrasting back box to make the unit easier to use for those with impaired sight.

Users can set a maximum temperature setting and shut off time, all of which can be adjusted at installation. Plus, as a big benefit to installers, Joy Care is easy to fit with multiple water and cable entry points.

As the UK population continues to evolve and change, the average household will only become more diverse. Therefore, it is imperative that products are considered that offer an all-inclusive approach to bathrooms.

To find out more about Joycare please click here


DocM Shower Pack



Joycare Electric Shower

Here to help

Talk to our friendly experts

We have a team of experts dedicated to specifiers and will be pleased to assist with the creation of a specification and advise on product suitability.

Contact Sales Support

Request a brochure

You can download and view our brochures online, or request a hard copy in the post by clicking on the button below.

Order a Brochure

Build a Project Specification

Register and create your specifications as Bristan offers support for professionals with project building tools, technical data sheets, BIM data and links to RIBA.

Create Project

© Bristan Group Limited 2019

Cookie Settings

By clicking the button "Yes, I agree", all categories of cookies will be activated. In the "cookie settings" you can edit your settings and tailor your cookie preferences. You can find further information about our cookies under cookie guidelines and privacy policy.