Best Practices in the Design of Toileting and Bathing Facilities for Assisted Transfers

Toilet Room Configuration.

The most common practice among the innovative designs was the placement of the bathroom located in a corner of a resident room with an out-swinging bathroom door oriented at 45⁰ to the resident room. The 45⁰ angle facilitated maneuvering by eliminating the need for sharp turns in small spaces. In addition, the location of the door also permitted the toilet and lavatory in many facilities to be located at right angles to each other. This configuration provided room for a 5’ wheelchair turning radius as well as sufficient room for assistance on both sides of the toilet. Furthermore, the out-swinging door not only permitted a 5’ turning radius in the toilet room, but also facilitated entry by staff in the event of a resident fall or other incapacity inside the room that might block the door. This basic configuration was found in numerous facilities including: a nursing care addition at Pennswood Village Retirement Community, Newton, PA (Lewis and Rodgers Architects, Fort Washington, PA) (Figure 1); Bridges Medical Services, Ada, MN (Horty, Elving & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) (Figure 2); and The Heritage at Landis Homes Retirement Community, Lititz, PA, (RLPS) (Figure 3).

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Figure 2. Toilet Room Configuration at Bridges Medical Services, Ada, MN (Horty, Elving & Associates)

Figure 3. Toilet Room Configuration at The Heritage at Landis Homes Retirement Community, Lititz, PA(RLPS)