It's a Sunday afternoon in the residents' lounge. A coffee morning has turned into a family visit, and the room is full. There's a resident who walks with a frame, another in a wheelchair and a visiting grandson aged four. A son-in-law is recovering from a hip operation. Within the hour, they'll all need the same toilet down the corridor.
Most attention in retirement schemes goes to the bathrooms inside apartments. But the communal toilets near lounges, dining rooms and activity spaces are used by more people, with a wider range of needs, than any single en-suite. They deserve just as much thought.
The short answer: communal and guest toilets in retirement schemes need to work for residents, visitors of all ages and staff, often within the same hour. That means easy-to-find locations, enough space for a wheelchair and a helper, support on both sides of the toilet, and simple-to-use controls and locks. Strong contrast helps people see fixtures clearly, and finishes should feel like part of a welcoming home, not a clinic. Adjustable equipment, such as a rise and fall toilet or a height-adjustable basin, lets one room suit very different people.
One room, many users
An en-suite is designed around one person, or perhaps a couple. A communal toilet has no such luxury. On any given day it might be used by:
- Residents with very different levels of mobility, some of whom use it far more often than others
- Visiting family members, including young children and older relatives
- Visitors who use wheelchairs or are recovering from illness or surgery
- Staff, who may need to help a resident or simply use it themselves
Fixed equipment chosen for an "average" user rarely suits this mix. A toilet that's comfortable for a tall resident standing from a frame may be too high for a wheelchair transfer, and too low for someone else entirely.
That's why adjustable equipment belongs here.A rise and fall toilet can be set out to suit each person in turn. A height-adjustable sink can be lowered for a resident in a wheelchair or a small child, then raised again for the next person.
Make it easy to find
A communal toilet is only useful if people can find it in time. That sounds obvious, but in many schemes the nearest toilet to the lounge is hidden around a corner or behind an unmarked door.
Place communal toilets close to where people gather, and make the door stand out with a distinct colour and a clear sign with both a picture and words. This helps everyone, but especially residents with memory loss or reduced vision. Many of the principles in our guide to dementia-friendly care home bathrooms apply equally to communal spaces in retirement properties.
Space for a wheelchair, and for a helper
Communal toilets need room for a wheelchair to approach and position alongside the toilet. They also need room for a second person, whether a staff member or a family member helping a relative.
When planning the layout, consider where a helper would stand, which side a wheelchair user would transfer from, and whether a basin or bin would get in the way. Your architect or access consultant can advise on any specific requirements that apply to your building.
Support where people need it
Support on both sides of the toilet helps residents and visitors sit and stand safely, whichever side they're stronger on. Where a wheelchair user needs to transfer from the side, support on that side should be movable so it doesn't block the transfer.
Well chosen grab rails near the toilet and basin give people something to hold without making the room feel clinical. Our guide to discreet grab rails for retirement developments explains how to choose rails people will actually use.
Simple, familiar controls
People using a communal toilet may not have used it before, or may be using it under pressure. Every control should be obvious: the lock, the flush, the taps and, where fitted, the controls for an adjustable toilet.
Locks should be easy to operate with limited grip, and staff should be able to open them from outside in an emergency. Make sure anyone using the room can easily call for help if they need it, and that someone who'll respond can reach them.
A room that feels welcoming
The communal toilet shapes how visitors experience the scheme. Small details can shape a grandchild's first impression, or an adult child's sense of whether their parent is somewhere good. Warm lighting, attractive finishes and a clean, uncluttered room all send the right message.
Contrast matters here too. A toilet seat, rails and basin that stand out clearly from the walls and floor help everyone, particularly people with reduced vision. Good design can achieve contrast without making the room look institutional.
Don't forget the guest suite
Many retirement and extra care schemes offer guest suites where visiting family can stay overnight. The bathroom in these suites is easily overlooked, yet it may be used by an elderly sibling, a relative with a disability or a parent with young children.
Applying the same thinking (clear floor space, sensible support and, where possible, adjustable equipment) means the guest suite works for whoever turns up. Our article on the "social" downstairs loo explores inclusive guest bathrooms from a family-home perspective, and many of the same ideas apply.
Frequently asked questions
What should a communal accessible toilet in a retirement scheme include?
It should include enough space for a wheelchair and a helper, support on both sides of the toilet, and a basin within reach of someone seated. Easy-to-use locks and controls, a way to call for help, clear signage and strong contrast between fixtures and surroundings all help too. Adjustable equipment, such as a rise and fall toilet, helps one room suit a wide range of users.
Should retirement schemes use height-adjustable toilets in communal areas?
They're well worth considering. Communal toilets are used by residents, visitors and staff with very different needs, often in quick succession. A rise and fall toilet can be adjusted for each person, making it easier for everyone to sit and stand safely.
How do you make a guest toilet suitable for visitors with different needs?
Allow enough floor space for a wheelchair or helper, fit support beside the toilet and basin, and choose simple, familiar controls. Clear signage and good contrast help visitors who don't know the building, and adjustable equipment makes the room comfortable for both children and older relatives.
Talk to us about your scheme
If you're planning or upgrading communal and guest toilets in a retirement, assisted living or extra care scheme, we'd be happy to help you think through equipment that works for residents and visitors alike. Call us on 01745 346226 or send us your project details, including the number of communal toilets and guest suites you're looking at.
