News / Bristol
Dementia-friendly toilets at Southmead Hospital
It’s a simple, everyday need, but for people with dementia, a trip to public toilets can be fraught with confusion.
Southmead Hospital has taken steps to make its facilities more accessible for all patients and visitors with the installation of new signage that include visual images at an easy-to-see eye level.
The move comes after staff members contributed to a research letter, fittingly entitled ‘Toilet Paper’, which was published last week.
is needed now More than ever
It explains how standard signs can be confusing for those living with dementia and details ways in which organisations can make their loos more accessible.
“The dementia-friendly signage is not just about making public toilets more accessible for those living with dementia. It’s also about empowerment,” says clinical lead for dementia at North Bristol NHS Trust and signatory for the Toilet Paper, Judy Haworth.
“The signage will help people with dementia feel more confident in finding public toilets, and lessen the need to rely on someone else in these situations.”
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