As the UK’s population ages and accessibility expectations rise, care homes are under growing pressure to meet higher standards of safety, comfort, and dignity. But accessibility in care homes isn’t just about ramps and rails, it’s about designing environments that empower residents of all abilities to move freely, bathe safely, and live with greater independence.
With updated regulations, evolving technology, and increased focus on user experience, 2025 presents both a challenge and an opportunity for care providers to rethink how accessibility is delivered, from care home bath installation to corridor layout and sensory design.
Here’s what the next year will demand, and how care homes can get ahead.
The Changing Landscape of Accessibility
The drive toward more inclusive care is not just policy, it’s cultural. From CQC expectations to local authority funding criteria, accessibility is no longer a bolt-on feature. It’s core to how care homes are judged, rated, and chosen by families.
In 2025, care homes will need to demonstrate:
- Full compliance with Building Regulations Part M
- Proactive risk reduction for slips, falls, and mobility hazards
- Adaptations for residents with cognitive impairments or sensory limitations
- Use of assistive technology that supports dignity and autonomy
- Accessible bathrooms, bedrooms, and communal spaces for all mobility levels
Why Bathing Is a Core Accessibility Benchmark
For many residents, bathing is not just a hygiene task, it’s a moment of privacy, relaxation, and self-worth. But it’s also one of the highest-risk activities in a care setting.
- In response, 2025 will bring increased scrutiny to:
- Bath hoists and transfer systems
- Low-threshold walk-in baths and showers
- Thermostatic mixing valves and anti-scald protections
- Care home bath installation practices that align with both safety and comfort standards
A well-executed care home bath installation can dramatically improve both safety and quality of life for residents, especially when designed with input from occupational therapists and end users.
Beyond Bathrooms: Other Key Accessibility Priorities
1. Bedroom Adaptability
- Height-adjustable beds
- Accessible storage
- Floor space for hoists and carers
2. Communal Areas
- Smooth flooring transitions
- Clear signage with dementia-friendly contrast
- Seating arrangements that foster inclusion, not isolation
3. Wayfinding & Navigation
- Colour-coded zones
- Sensory-friendly cues (sound, scent, texture)
- Anti-glare surfaces and natural light maximisation
Installation & Design: Who Should Care Homes Work With?
Working with experienced installers and accessibility consultants is key. This includes professionals who specialise in:
- Care home bath installation and wet room conversions
- Retrofitting in live environments with minimal disruption
- Compliance with infection control, hoist access, and anti-slip regulations
- Adapting designs to meet both physical and emotional needs
Always ask for portfolios, certifications, and whether installers have worked in registered care settings before. The wrong installation can result in compliance breaches, or worse, resident injuries.
Planning Ahead: Funding, Grants & ROI
Many improvements may be eligible for support via:
- Local authority top-ups (for local authority-funded placements)
- VAT exemptions for disability adaptations
- Capital funding tied to CQC rating improvements or expansion projects
- Long-term ROI via improved ratings, fewer incidents, and higher occupancy
- Looking Forward: A Cultural Shift in Accessibility
As 2025 approaches, care homes must view accessibility as more than compliance, it’s a commitment to care quality, user experience, and operational excellence.
From future-ready care home bath installations to design choices that reduce staff strain and increase resident freedom, this is the year accessibility goes from back-of-house to front-of-mind.
Accessibility isn’t a cost, it’s an investment in safety, satisfaction, and sustainability.
Final Thoughts
The homes that thrive in 2025 will be those that understand this shift, and act on it today. That means engaging with designers, listening to staff and residents, and investing in solutions that make life safer, simpler, and more dignified for everyone.
