Healthcare: Protocol’s Top Tips
Protocol Furniture has developed an impressive array of suitable products for various projects and design schemes; hotels, restaurants, stadiums, offices, bars, care homes, universities and more. With extensive knowledge about supplying furniture to numerous sectors, Protocol share their top tips in specifying furniture for care-homes as part of our Healthcare Campaign.
Use our hashtag – #HealthcareDI
Care home furniture is designed and manufactured uniquely to consider the different abilities, movement limitations and well-being of users. High-quality materials are used with contract fittings to ensure the furniture will stand the test of time in what can be a very demanding and sensitive environment. We discuss in this article the distinctive features and capabilities of care home furniture supplied by Protocol.
Dining Furniture
It is important for dining furniture to be functional and sturdy as well as providing comfort and a pleasant experience for mealtimes.
• Timber frame 4 leg dining tables are a popular choice for the care sector due to stability and strength
• Tables are typically between 730-760mm high, this should allow clearance for wheelchair users and armchairs
• Tables with no central obstacles are preferred but column tables are also widely specified
• Dining armchairs are supplied with solid arms and rounded edges to take pressure off leg muscles and aid standing and sitting whilst ensuring safety
• Various seating models are supplied with a hygiene gap between the back cushion and seat to prevent dirt and bacteria from becoming trapped
• Castors can be added to tables and chairs for flexibility and to aid transport for people with limited mobility
Lounge Furniture
Lounge furniture should provide postural support and comfort because of the prolonged sitting expected.
• Lounge chairs and armchairs can have manual or electric mechanisms for reclining. This offers endless transition between relaxation and resting positions without applying pressure on joints and bones
• Lounge models can feature special and high backrests for lumbar support and added comfort
• Various seating models can include detachable or lift-up seats to help when cleaning furniture due to crumbs or spillages. Detachable seats can also be replaced easily if necessary
• Lounge models can be combined with matching footrests to help relax lower limbs
• Lounge models can also include optional headrest supports in different styles for extra comfort
Faux leather is typically the upholstery of choice in high traffic and care environments. It is durable, stain resistant and low maintenance, making it easy to clean and more hygienic. We work with a variety of specialist suppliers who can treat their fabrics with revolutionary technology, providing optimal and enduring anti-microbial protection, effective against the broadest spectrum of bacteria.
Upholstery choices can also play an important part in vision and way finding for both dementia and non-dementia care homes. Subtle inner upholstery with patterned outer fabric and bright, contrasting piping detail to help users identify where the seat is, is widely specified.
Bedroom Furniture
Understanding the needs and challenges care users face every day in reflected in the range of bedroom furniture that can be supplied by Protocol. Case goods include cabinets and solid panel products typically made from wood and manufactured specially for bedrooms and public areas.
• Soft corners and rounded edges are supplied as standard for case goods to minimize the risk of injury
• Furniture can be manufactured with lighter materials for ease of access and to help movement for those with impaired strength
• A range of bespoke handles for chest of drawers, cabinets, desks and wardrobes are available depending on specification. Examples include large handles, shaped handles or handle free for comfortable access
• Dressing table and free-standing mirrors can have polycarbonate glass and visibility panels for added safety
• Case goods can feature soft close hinges and drawer runners for ease of access
• Lockable drawers, desks, and wardrobes
All contract furniture supplied by Protocol has CMRH foam. This is used when the strictest of fire code standards are required, such as in care environments. The foam has a high density which helps it last a long time. On top of this, an extra layer of fiber is added to give more comfort to the furniture.
As well as an extensive collection of furniture suitable for dining, lounge, bedroom, and exterior areas for all types of care environments, we are also able to produce bespoke furniture for projects and can modify existing ranges to suit specific requirements. To view a selection of Protcol’s furniture suitable for care environments, please click here.
Contact Protocol through the BCFA Product Finder.
The BCFA Product Finder is designed to find BCFA member companies and their products and services. There are four ways of searching either by product sector, market sector, company name by A-Z, or use the product search and enter the product or service name e.g. seating, to find companies offering seating and its variants.