Dignity, Safety, and Savings: How the pobroll® is Redefining Intimate Care in Care Homes
- Pat O'Brien
- May 13
- 3 min read
In care homes across the country, care teams are under pressure like never before. Rising operational costs, workforce shortages, and growing regulatory demands around restraint reduction and person-centred care are stretching services to their limits. For many, intimate care remains one of the most challenging and resource-intensive tasks — especially when it triggers distress and behaviours that challenge in residents with dementia.
But recent innovations are offering hope. Among them is the pobroll®, a simple yet transformative solution now showing measurable results in real-world care settings.
The Hidden Costs of Intimate Care
While fundamental to resident wellbeing, intimate care often brings unintended consequences. Traditional bed-bathing methods can leave residents cold, exposed, and vulnerable, leading to distress, agitation, and in some cases, aggressive or defensive behaviours. Managing these incidents often requires additional staff, specialised training, and, unfortunately, the use of physical interventions — all of which add to care home costs and can compromise resident dignity.
Operationally, the task load is significant. Every bed bath often results in multiple linen changes, generating high laundry costs, increased environmental impact, and lost staff time that could be better spent on person-centred care.
The pobroll® Difference: Clinical and Economic Impact
The pobroll® addresses these challenges head-on. Its innovative design — a waterproof, dual-layered cotton towelling wrap — allows for a full, warm, wet wash while keeping the bed completely dry. By maintaining resident warmth and coverage throughout care, it prevents the common triggers of distress during personal washing.
And the results speak for themselves:
Recent trials have demonstrated a 30% reduction in challenging behaviours during intimate care when the pobroll® is used.
Fewer incidents mean fewer staff are required during interventions, lowering workforce strain and supporting safer, calmer care environments.
Operational savings are realised through reduced laundry needs, less reliance on disposables, and time saved on non-care tasks.
For care homes, these benefits combine to deliver not only better resident outcomes but also tangible cost savings — a rare win-win in today’s care sector.
Aligning with Restraint Reduction and Dementia Best Practice
Importantly, pobroll® supports compliance with restraint reduction initiatives such as the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) standards, which call for the minimisation of physical restraint and the use of proactive, person-centred approaches to care.
By preventing the escalation of distress into aggression or defensive behaviour, pobroll® reduces the need for restrictive practices — aligning with best practice guidelines for dementia care and safeguarding both residents and staff.
Facilities adopting pobroll® have reported:
✔️ A 30% reduction in “behaviours which challenge”
✔️ Reduced staff injuries associated with physical interventions
✔️ Lower training costs in physical holding techniques
✔️ Improved staff morale and confidence in delivering intimate care
Sustainable, Person-Centred Care — Made Practical
In addition to its clinical and operational benefits, pobroll® supports the growing drive toward sustainability in care. Its reusable design cuts down on disposable wipes and reduces the water and energy demands linked to excessive laundry — helping care homes meet environmental goals while improving budget performance.
Ultimately, the pobroll® exemplifies how thoughtful innovation can support the sector in delivering on its core mission: to provide dignified, safe, and person-centred care.
Conclusion: Time for a Rethink?
As care homes look to navigate financial pressures while upholding standards of dignity and safety, tools like the pobroll® offer a practical pathway forward. By delivering measurable reductions in challenging behaviours, lowering operational costs, and supporting regulatory compliance, it represents an invaluable asset for modern care services.
If your facility is seeking to reduce staff strain, improve resident outcomes, and make care operations more sustainable — it might be time to rethink how intimate care is delivered.
