The Most Suitable Faucets for Nursing Homes

According to the CDC, wet environments, like sinks, pose a health hazard for infections. Since the elderly are more susceptible to illness, fittings and faucets for nursing homes must reduce the risk of microbial growth in these areas.

Recent evidence indicates sinks in healthcare facilities (like nursing homes) can become contaminated with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). That is why you must install the most suitable faucets in these settings. 

The kitchens in long-term care facilities should have the same fittings as other commercial kitchens. However, nursing home bathrooms require more consideration than other public restrooms or those within a home. The following faucets and fittings are the most suitable for both of these nursing home settings.

Key Takeaways:

• The most suitable kitchen faucets in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are the same as faucets in most commercial settings. Pre-rinse valves for dishwashing, metering faucets for handwashing stations, and remote faucet pedals add convenience for large meal preps and cleanups.

• When designing bathrooms for nursing homes, you must follow all ADA compliance  requirements. Whether planning a shared restroom or private bathrooms in each room, there are specific measurements for the sinks and faucets to consider.

• The elderly may struggle with bathing and showering. Hygiene fitting will ensure the staff can assist the residents with cleaning themselves. Also, consider installing a bedpan cleaner in a nursing home bathroom.

• Tub and shower fittings should include a wall-mounted shower hand sprayer and an auto-drain hose assembly. That will make it easier for capable residents to shower or staff to assist residents who need help bathing.

Most Suitable Kitchen Faucets for a Nursing Home 

The most suitable kitchen faucets in nursing homes are similar to most commercial settings. Here are ones to consider incorporating into the design of a long-term care facility kitchen:

Pre-Rinse Sprayers 

Nursing home residents are some of the most vulnerable citizens in society. For that reason, the dishes they use must be as clean as possible. In commercial kitchen settings, a pre-rinse sprayer gets the dishes cleaner and conserves water. 

Metering Faucets 

According to the CDC, people should wash their hands for no less than 20 seconds, especially those who handle food. In a 2020 survey, 31% of participants admitted that they don't always wash their hands before handling food.

Handwashing stations in the kitchen (and throughout the facility) should have metering faucets. That way, staff can wash their hands frequently to avoid spreading germs to nursing home residents and not contaminate clean hands after washing. 

Remote Valves 

Metering faucets at handwashing stations and other sinks throughout the facility are not the only sink spouts you can install to eliminate the need to touch the sink with your hands. There are other hands-free options.  

Remote spouts with floor valve pedals are another way to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in nursing home kitchens. You activate the water flow from the remote pedal on the floor and turn off the water by releasing the pressure on the pedal. 

You can also install these faucets in residents' bathrooms. Nursing stations, exam rooms, and facility pharmacies are other areas you can install these faucet fittings.

Most Suitable Bathroom Faucets for a Nursing Home 

The faucets for a nursing home bathroom take more consideration than the kitchen faucets or the ones you would install at your home. Residents at a nursing home or assisted living facility have specific needs that most people do not. Here are the most suitable faucets for nursing home bathrooms:

ADA Compliant

Whether there is a shared bathroom, or each room has a private bathroom, the faucets in the nursing home restroom must be ADA compliant. Not only does this mean the design of the room allows space for a wheelchair or walker or that it has railings. It also means the faucets must be compliant. 

ADA compliant faucets must be operable with only one hand. Also, if you have a touchless and metering faucet, the water must run for no less than ten seconds. The counter or sink top must be 34” from the ground, and clearance under the sink must be 27” and 11” deep. 

Most nursing homes have a dining hall where the residents will eat their meals. Yet, if you install faucets for a nursing home with private kitchens in each room, you will want to ensure the kitchen sink and faucet is ADA compliant.

Touchless Faucets 

The most contaminated place in your bathroom is not your toilet. The two dirtiest places in a bathroom are near the sink. One is your toothbrush holder, and the second is your faucet. 

According to an NSF International study, the sink handles are the second germiest place in your bathroom. Roughly 27% of faucets tested positive for yeast and mold. Touchless faucets reduce the risk of encountering these harmful microorganisms.

Installing touchless actuators throughout a nursing home bathroom can make life easier for residents and staff. They are simple to operate and help reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. You can install these actuators for:

• Toilets
• Urinals
• Faucets
• Soap dispensers

Hygiene Fittings 

Hygiene is a significant concern for those with specific needs. The elderly may struggle with bathing and showering. For that reason, you must ensure that you consider hygiene fittings for the bathroom. 

A bedpan cleaner is another fitting you should incorporate in the design of a nursing home bathroom. The setup should include a remote sink pedal and a hose no less than 48" long.

Tub & Shower Fitting 

Some nursing home residents need more assistance than others with bathing or showering. That is why your design should include tub and shower fitting with this in mind. 

These fittings should include a wall-mounted shower hand sprayer and an auto-drain hose assembly. That will make it easier for capable residents to shower or staff to assist residents who need help bathing.

What to Know About Nursing Home Faucets 

Nursing homes and other healthcare settings often require specialty fittings to adapt to residents' needs. Some residents struggle with mobility issues, while others have cognitive dysfunctions that make washing hands and bathing difficult. 

At Chicago Faucets, our selection of fittings meet compliance standards and assist healthcare workers and family members with the hygiene needs of their patients or loved ones.

Are you upgrading the faucets for a nursing home? Contact us today for more information on the most suitable options.