How do I choose the right tap fitting for an age-friendly bathroom as a family caregiver?

The most important factor is ease of use and safety – particularly for people with limited motor function. Recommended are fittings with ergonomic designs such as wing handles or extended, open-style levers that are easier to grip and require minimal force to operate. The smoothness of the cartridge is equally important: people with arthritis or reduced hand strength need a fitting that can be operated with as little effort as possible.

Why is a conventional single-lever mixer tap problematic in an age-friendly bathroom?

A conventional single-lever mixer tap controls temperature via the lever position. If pressure fluctuations occur in the water supply – which happens more often than most people realise – the water can suddenly and abruptly turn scalding hot. For healthy people this is unpleasant; for older people or those with reduced reaction speeds it can be dangerous. Water temperatures of as little as 45 degrees Celsius can cause scalding on sensitive skin.

What is a thermostatic tap and how does it protect against scalding?

A thermostatic tap has an integrated safety mechanism with a maximum temperature limit. The thermostatic element automatically compensates for temperature and pressure fluctuations, keeping the set water temperature constant – regardless of what is happening in the water supply. Modern thermostats lock automatically at 38°C; this threshold can only be overridden by deliberately pressing a safety release button. The water also flows at the desired temperature immediately after opening.

What is CoolTouch technology and why does it matter in the bathroom?

CoolTouch technology prevents the thermostat body itself from heating up. The thermostat body is continuously cooled by cold water flowing around it, ensuring that even the surface of the fitting does not become hot. Even direct contact with the fitting poses no burn risk – an important feature not only in age-friendly bathrooms, but also in kindergartens, clinics and care facilities.

For which areas of the bathroom are thermostatic fittings with temperature limiting available?

Thermostatic fittings with temperature limiting and CoolTouch technology are available for both the washbasin and the shower. They can be used as a consistent safety concept throughout the entire age-friendly bathroom.

What is the Purefoam hand shower and how does it make caregiving easier?

The Purefoam hand shower is an innovation from Japan with an integrated soap cartridge. You shower normally with water, press a button – and foam for lathering comes directly from the hand shower. The key advantage for caregiving: one hand remains free for washing, which makes supporting people who need care significantly easier. The system can be integrated into an existing shower without major effort.

From what water temperature does scalding become a risk – particularly in old age?

Water temperatures of as little as 45 degrees Celsius can cause scalding on sensitive skin. As we age, skin becomes thinner and more sensitive, while reaction times slow down – both factors increase the risk. Thermostatic fittings with a maximum limit of 38°C are therefore one of the most effective measures for scalding prevention in an age-friendly bathroom.

Thermostatic fittings in the age-appropriate bathroom

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Even just a water temperature of 45 degrees can lead to scalds on sensitive skin – a risk that should be taken particularly seriously in age-friendly bathrooms. The good news is that the technologies to reduce this risk are already available on the market.

An interview with Patrick Prokop from GROHE Austria on how to limit the temperature of the water in a bathroom.

SBC: Mr. Prokopwhen you think of senior-friendly bathroom fittings – how should I choose fittings as a person affected or family caregiver?

Prokop: A key aspect is simple and safe operation, especially for people with limited motor skills. That’s why we specifically focus on ergonomic shapes for our bathroom fittings, such as wing handles or extended, open levers that are easier to grip and can be operated with little force.

The lightness of the cartridge is also a key point: How much force do you need to operate the tap? This is often neglected, but is very important for people with arthritis or limited hand strength.

In an age-friendly bathroom, the focus is clearly on safety. A simple example: A conventional single-lever mixer regulates the temperature via the position of the lever. If there are pressure fluctuations in the pipe network – and this happens more often than you might think – hot water can suddenly appear. For a healthy person, this is unpleasant. For an elderly person or someone with impaired reaction times, it can be dangerous.

We recommend temperature control and offer thermostat functions on selected basin mixers. This means that the water temperature is controlled and limited so that it remains constant and cannot exceed a safe level. This is how we avoid scalding.

SBC: What specific solutions am I looking for?

Prokop: Thermostatic valves are the most tried-and-tested solution. Thermostatic systems feature built-in safety mechanisms with an upper limit. This prevents excessively high temperatures from being set, and the thermoelement automatically compensates for fluctuations in temperature and pressure. It maintains the set temperature constantly – regardless of what happens in the pipe network. This is not only relevant for older people, but wherever additional temperature protection is advisable – for example, in nurseries or care homes.

The advantage is that as soon as you turn on the tap, the water flows at the desired temperature. What’s more, these thermostats automatically cut off at 38 °C – a temperature limit that can only be exceeded by pressing a release button.

Another important aspect is preventing the thermostat body from heating up. We refer to this as CoolTouch technology. Cold water flows around the thermostat body, ensuring that the surfaces do not heat up. The risk of burns is reduced even with direct contact – a feature that has proven its worth not only in the healthcare sector but also in sensitive environments such as nurseries.

Both solutions are available for washbasins and showers.

SBC: I was particularly surprised by one new product – the Purefoam hand shower. What’s behind it?

Prokop: This is an innovation that originated in Japan. The Purefoam hand shower has a built-in soap cartridge, which is available in five different fragrances. You shower as normal with water, then press a button – and soap foam comes straight out of the hand shower to lather you up. It sounds simple, but it makes personal hygiene much easier, as one hand remains free to lather up.

The system can be easily integrated into the existing shower. All you need to do is connect the water hose to the hand shower and the water supply.

Thank you very much for the interview!

Find out more about GROHE Austria – www.grohe.at