March 2016

There are many illnesses and physical ailments that must be accounted for in the design and operation of care homes. Some are relatively straight-forward to accommodate; others are somewhat more difficult.

Approximately 80% of care home residents live with some form of dementia and it is perhaps the most unpredictable disorder that must be considered by care home operators. The safety standards of a care premises can be influenced by various dementia symptoms: confusion, memory loss, disorientation or limited coordination – each might affect care home residents to varying degrees. 

But whilst there is no one-size-fits-all practice of care, any risk to dementia patients in their living environments must be rectified to make it as safe a space as possible.

Perhaps the biggest concern for care home operators is that people with dementia may not recognise when or why they might be at risk. That is why radiators present a real danger to sufferers; exposure to hot surfaces and sharp edges is an accident waiting to happen. Considering the majority of dementia sufferers are elderly, with frailties that exacerbate the most seemingly minor of injuries, contact with a dangerously hot surface could cause extremely serious burn injuries.

Low Surface Temperature (LST) radiators are the recommended solution across any healthcare application, but their safety benefits are particularly important when considering dementia sufferers.

The outer casing of these radiators remains cool to touch even at high flow temperatures, never getting hotter than 43°C in accordance with NHS Estates Health Guidance Notes. Furthermore, all the ancillary piping and components are safely concealed with this protective LST casing, so there are no harmful surfaces exposed to the residents. This all but eradicates the threat of a resident burning themselves though prolonged contact with a radiator.

But of course it is not just the heat itself that presents a danger. Elderly dementia sufferers might be unstable on their feet, particularly when familiarising themselves with new surroundings, and there is a risk that someone could fall onto a radiator. To counter this circumstance, LST radiator casings feature rounded corners to minimise the damage should an accidental fall occur.

Impaired reasoning through dementia combined with sensory losses that occurs through old age mean that care homes are constantly challenged in keeping their residents happy, healthy, safe and comfortable. By specifying LST radiators, care home operators can be safe in the knowledge that they have the most suitable heating solution available.

To take a look at Jaga’s range of Low Surface Temperature (LST) Radiators, click here.