24 minute read
Motoring and Mobility
from Autumn Q4 2021
by AbilityNeeds
We have been designing and manufacturing equipment for people with disabilities for over 40 years throughout the United Kingdom to help them achieve an independent lifestyle both within their home or anywhere else they may visit.
We offer free advice, assessments and no obligation quotations to all. If you cannot see the solution to your situation then please contact us as we love to talk.
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ACCESS CONTROLS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
By using our Access Control systems you can make any door accessible via our Door Opener or alternatively be alerted by someone at your door, establish who they are and the purpose of their visit and then let them in, if required via one of our many styles of Door Latch Release Systems.
COMMUNICATIONS
We design and manufacture a range of innovative and intelligent communication products to keep an Audio Communication link between patient and carer. We also design and make a variety of Alarms for different situations. We offer one of the most comprehensive ranges of Environmental Controls, with versatile styles of Window Openers and Curtain/Blind Pullers our most popular products. We can enable control of your lighting, temperature and ambience at the push of a button from anywhere in your home.
METHODS OF CONTROL
Our equipment can be operated by a wide range of methods that are designed to improve independence and quality of life for all. We stock Transmitter Remotes, wired and wireless Switches and Hands Free Controls.
PLEASE VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE AT WWW.RIDLEYELECTRONICS.CO.UK
TELEPHONE: +(44) 1722 717 878
EMAIL: ridleyelect@netscape.net
University friends’ artistic endeavour to change lives
Two university friends with a shared vision to help others have teamed up to change the lives of disabled people across the North East.
Gary Nicholson and Kathryn Barnett met as mature students when they were studying art degrees at the University of Sunderland.
Gary became paraplegic in 2009 following an operation to remove a tumour from his spinal cord. He was inspired by his degree to pass on what he had learned to others after graduating.
Gary, from Red House in Sunderland, said: “I was interested in the idea of using art as therapy because that is how it felt to me. I had been a joiner for almost 30 years of my life. One day I went into hospital for an operation. The next I was paraplegic. But it was through art, and coming to university to study, that I began to understand the important role it can play in helping people with all types of disabilities.”
With support from the University’s Enterprise Place scheme, based at Hope Street Xchange, Gary got guidance on how to start his own venture to assist and support others. He established Regeneration NE, a not-for-profit business offering art interventions and support to people living with all types of disabilities.
In 2019, Gary brought on board Kathryn, who has been a wheelchair user since 2013, to help him in his project. The need for this type of venture soon became apparent, and the pair have now gone on to expand their roles and projects, drawing national attention.
Kathryn, from County Durham, said: “For wheelchair users and clinically extremely vulnerable people, the past 18 months has been both isolating and frightening.
“So, we put this lived experience to good use, supporting others with distance learning projects and virtual exhibitions. We have secured funding from Arts Council England and worked extensively with the Cultural Spring. Our Butterfly Project 2020, was brought to national attention as a case study in a Creative People and Places scheme report.”
In 2020, Gary and Kathryn were selected to participate in Prosper North, a business development scheme for Northern heritage and culture organisations, with Creative United, and gained valuable mentorship and support for their long term business plans.
On 12 August this year, the pair opened SALT - Sunderland Arts, Learning & Training - in Ryhope, Sunderland. They have also been instrumental in the establishment of Horizon, a new ethical arts centre with studio spaces, based in Seaham. This was officially opened on 19 August 2021.
It has been a journey with measurable impact for the pair who, after using art to challenge their own obstacles, are now sharing their success with others.
Kathryn said: “Disability changed our lives. Our University of Sunderland experience was truly lifechanging, and now we want to use what we have learned to change the lives of others.”
For more information about the Enterprise Place, go to: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/more/services-for-business/start-a-business/
TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY WORKING TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE
PERSONALsafety and the ability to live our lives with confidence become more important issues as we get older. New developments in technology – known as Technology Enabled Care, or TEC for short - have an important role to play in helping people to remain safe and independent in their own homes for longer.
TEC specialists Medequip Connect are part of Medequip Assistive Technology, one of the UK’s leading providers of community services equipment. Medequip Connect services focus on optimising the use of today’s smart technology to help keep people secure and safe both in their homes and when they are out and about, boosting independence and quality of life.
From care line alarms with personal call alarm buttons linking to immediate response services through to more sophisticated falls detection devices that can be worn or installed around the home, Medequip Connect makes sure you can access immediate help and support 24 hours a day. Alarms trigger a response from relatives or emergency services, dependent upon the requirement.
Medequip Connect also operates a ‘first responder’ service across the UK, responding directly to alarm calls, providing total peace of mind for those caring for elderly or vulnerable relatives.
For Medequip Connect, it’s all about providing help at the touch of a button – not just in the home but as people gain the confidence to go out and about again after the COVID-19 restrictions. Freedom and outdoor alarm devices support increased independence, with the knowledge that reliable help is on hand should it be required.
Talk to the specialists at
Medequip Connect to discover how TEC could help you and your family live life safely, securely and independently.
Visit www.medequip-connect.com
SITNSTAND: THE PORTABLE SMART RISING SEAT
STAIRSTEADY is an innovative straightforward walking aid designed to fill the gap between a standard handrail and a stairlift.
It’s made up of a handrail attached to the wall, and a sliding supporting handle that moves freely but locks in position when weight is applied. The latter is held with both hands giving good support and stability while providing a safe solution for going up or down stairs.
Suitable for domestic and commercial environments, StairSteady is perfect for those who use a walking aid or rollator, but struggle with the extra effort of raising their own bodyweight. It allows the user to move at their own pace, and the handle can be folded away after use, so it blends seamlessly into any home or building. We’ll take care of the whole process for you: our technicians will provide a FREE assessment and carry out the installation.
StairSteady is a highly cost-effective, award winning product that helps boost independence and confidence - all while keeping the user safe on the stairs.
SITNSTANDwill benefit anyone needing assistance when it comes to standing up.
This clever smart rising seat can be used on all types of seating and works via a handset that inflates the seat pad, gently easing the user into an upright position when they wish to stand.
There are four levels of inflation which ensure the process from sitting to standing is achieved without the need to rock as the user tries to stand (which can lead to falls). And sitting is easy too. Simply lean against the inflated seat and press the handset to be lowered down gently.
Unlike conventional seats SitnStand is portable, lightweight (just 3kg), and can be transported in the easy to carry zip up case. So, whether the user is visiting a restaurant or family, they can trust their SitnStand to provide freedom and greater independence when it comes to both sitting and standing!
BASED IN ENFIELD, IS LONDON'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTRE.
Working with all major equipment suppliers, we’re able to provide everything from daily living aids to highly specialised equipment and services. We supply to nursing and residential care homes, local authorities, hospitals and the public, offering a ‘one-stop shop’ to help enable an independent lifestyle.
Our team of Trusted Assessors can offer expert advice, and work closely with healthcare professionals to provide individual solutions. Not only do we sell and rent out a wide range of high-quality innovative products, we also provide high standard aftercare with maintenance and servicing to keep our customers and their equipment safe.
We aim to solve problems by introducing innovative new products to the UK market, while continually working towards providing a happier and brighter future for the elderly and those living with disability.
✔ Wheelchairs, walking aids, hoists, high back chairs, profiling beds ✔Shoes, slippers, sit to stand aids, daily living aids ✔Rental options ✔ Adaptations - grab rails, stair lifts, level access showers, ramps, wet rooms ✔Training courses and room hire
4, Northgate Business Centre, Crown Road, Enfield, London, EN1 1TG.
Bryon Chappell of N&C Phlexicare shares his knowledge and considerations for creating a dementia friendly bathroom
AS AN ENVIRONMENT used on a daily basis, the bathroom is an important space to make safe and secure, whilst maintaining the dignity of the individual using the bathroom.
The design of a bathroom needs to be one that takes into consideration the mental and physical challenges brought on by dementia, whilst future proofing the environment to cater for the progressive nature of the disease. Adaptations carried out at later stages could be counterproductive and cause a great level of disorientation, confusion and distress. Adaptations should ideally be carried out directly after an early stage diagnosis.
1. Preventing Falls
Removing all slip and trip hazards within a bathroom is the first step, so the installation of a level access or low level showering area helps to reduce trip and slip hazards within wet areas.
N&C Phlexicare offer a comprehensive selection of specially designed wet room shower decks that are exceptionally strong (accepting up to 470kg) with pre formed gradients built into the decks for the fast and effective removal of water from the wet area. If a wet room isn’t appropriate for the location, a low-level shower tray with slip resistant surface is a safe alternative. N&C Phlexicare’s Nova Anti-Slip Low Profile shower tray features a 40mm overall height for a minimal step into the wet area. Stepping out of the showering area with wet, bare feet can also prove a threat. Therefore, consider the use of slip resistant floor tiles that have a PTV rating of 36+, which prevents slips for bare foot traffic in wet areas. The alternate option is the use of plain coloured slipresistant vinyl flooring.
2. Colour Contrast
Effective colour contrast is a fundamental factor in dementia-friendly design. In the bathroom, a selection of well-placed grab rails which contrast vividly with the colour of the walls enables easy visual identification and can help dementia patients negotiate their way around the bathroom effectively; in turn minimising the potential for slips or falls.
Strategic colour contrast is an intrinsic part of many of the N&C Phlexicare core healthcare product range, making the range suitable for dementia-friendly adaptations in residential and healthcare settings.
N&C Offer a range of contrasting bathroom products and accessories such as shower seats, grab rails to name a few, such as the N&C Evolve Shower Seat.
3. Mirrors & Reflective Surfaces
Some people with dementia can lose the ability to recognise their own reflection and may be alarmed by seeing themselves in a mirror or reflective surface. Ideally, mirrors should be removable or have the option to be covered, to avoid undue distress.
The same goes for objects which may have a reflective surface. For example, chrome towel rails can be replaced with anti-scald radiators, and reflective shower screens can be replaced with non-reflective or frosted types. N&C can assist with offering an LRV rating that measures the light reflection within a bathroom setting and the proposed contrast required for the user.
4. Safety When Showering
An electric shower, with scald-prevention thermostatic controls, is the preferred option for dementia-friendly bathrooms. Many inclusive showers have colour-contrast buttons to enable ease of use. Mixer showers are not recommended because the reflections in the mirrored surface can be cause for concern to a dementia patient as mentioned above.
As many dementia patients become less aware of their surroundings, flood prevention is a significant issue. As such the Illusion shower tray from N&C Phlexicare offers a tray with assisted water removal in the pre formed falls on the shower tray encouraging the fast and effective removal of water.
5. Bathroom Lighting
Appropriate lighting is incredibly important within a dementia-friendly bathroom adaptation, as poor lighting can cause nervousness, apprehension or fear; leading to slips or falls.
For more information on N&C Phlexicare and their products, please call 0845 605 1345 or visit www.ncphlexicare.com
Pro-door Advance
rise and glide showering system
Designed with useability and practicality in mind, the N&C Pro-door Advance Rise and Glide system features an air assisted push paddle that, when depressed, raises the door by 20mm for comfortable and easy manoeuvring of the 360 degree hinged doors. This feature prevents the seals from dragging and damaging due to wear and tear, whilst keeping water within the wet area. Once in place, the doors can be locked into place by pressing down on the door pads to create a water tight seal.
Multi-User Washrooms | Access Solutions | Equality Act Compliant Solutions | Multi-User Kitchens Grab Rails | Daily Living Products | Accessible Showering | Wetrooms | Wall and Floor Solutions
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON DISABLED ACCESS IN A POSTLOCKDOWN WORLD
LANDMARKsurvey asks disabled people to share their thoughts about accessibility in a post-lockdown world
The 7th Euan’s Guide Access Survey to measure the impact of lockdown on disabled access provision in the UK is now live.
The survey asks anyone who has ever had to consider disabled access to share their opinion on accessibility in 2021. And with all the changes in the post-lockdown world, it is more crucial than ever for people to take part this year.
The Euan’s Guide Access Survey is the largest and longest running survey of its kind and in 2021 is being supported by Motability Operations for the first time.
Questions include how lockdowns and COVID measures are impacting those with accessibility requirements, what are the barriers to getting out and about and what people think about disabled access at all types of venues from pubs to castles to stations –and everywhere in between. The survey will also tackle the essential topic of toilets and ask people’s views on the most common problems they encounter with accessible loos.
The data gathered will be used to provide a picture of disabled access in the UK and will be compared with previous results to find out if access is getting better or worse. Key findings from previous surveys have included respondents rating historic castles as more accessible than pubs, 93% of respondents reporting that they need to find disabled access information before they visit somewhere new and 79% of respondents having to change their plans at the last minute because of poor accessibility.
Euan MacDonald, co-founder of Euan’s Guide, said: “This survey is extremely important in establishing how the disruption of 2020-21 has affected disabled people, their families, friends and carers and whether the pandemic has pushed back the progress of accessibility. It’s vital that anyone who has had to consider disabled access makes their voice heard on what the impact of Covid has been on accessibility.
“We are looking forward to working with Motability Operations to amplify the voices and experiences of disabled people.”
Delia Ray, Head of Marketing at Motability Operations, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Euan’s Guide to give our customers the chance to share their views on how accessible they find daily life. Since lockdown restrictions have eased, we all want to get out safely and having reliable accessibility information builds confidence and helps everyone to enjoy the benefits of getting out and about.
“We hope our customers will share their thoughts and feedback to ensure that accessibility continues to be a priority for venues across the UK.”
The Euan’s Guide Access Survey supported by Motability Operations is now live. Please tell us your thoughts and take part now by visiting www.EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey.
• Care Alarms & Telecare Care Alarms & Telecare Care Alarms & Care Alarms & • Dementia & Elderly Care Dementia & Elderly Care • Fall Prevention all Pre Fventionall Pre • Epilepsy Care Products Epilepsy Care Products Epilepsy Care Pr 01536 264 869 01536 264 869
www.easylinkuk.co.uk .easylinkuk.co.ukwww www.medpage-ltd.com .medpage-ltd.com .medpage-ltd.comwww Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK 3 Melbourne House Corby Gate Business Park Corby, Northants NN17 5JG UK
Medpage Limited T/A Easylink UK 3 Melbourne House arkCorby Gate Business P Corby, Northants NN17 5JG UK
Partnerships are our priority.
Our innovative, industry leading stairlifts are produced with a commitment to quality and reliability for you and your customers' peace of mind.
P l u s . . .
T h e y a r e o n l y e v e r a v a i l a b l e t h r o u g h o u r a p p r o v e d g l o b a l p a r t n e r n e t w o r k - w e d o n ' t s e l l d i r e c t .
Y o u c a n f e e l c o n f i d e n t a n d s u p p o r t e d w h e n r e c o m m e n d i n g
P l a t i n u m , w i t h d i r e c t a c c e s s t o a p e r s o n a l a c c o u n t m a n a g e r .
When our customers need a stairlift, time is of the essence. This is why we choose to work with Platinum Stairlifts – they provide a quality product for staircases of all shapes and sizes, and with a great turnaround time. Finally, if there are ever any issues, they are always on hand to support us and resolve things quickly.“ P l a t i n u m P a r t n e r 2 0 2 1
F i n d o u t m o r e a b o u t o u r p a r t n e r s h i p s a t
platinumstairlifts.com
Home tech could change Lincolnshire adult social care forever
THE ‘SOCIAL Care Technology Innovation for the Citizens of Lincolnshire’ project, which has been running since June this year, is investigating how affordable home tech could be used to enhance social care service delivery and improve the lives of almost 12,000 adults the council helps support each year. Of this number 8,905 people need some form of long-term help, with resources being divided to cover mental health, learning disabilities, memory and cognition, and physical and social support.
Now, spurred on by COVID-19 lockdowns and the wider acceptance and use of technology in the home for communication, social and health needs, the University-led project has found:
• Telecare pros and cons
Access to ‘telecare’ - a monitoring service offering remote support to elderly, disabled and vulnerable people living at home alone - can be successful, but its ease of use is vital, as are systems that come with full support and servicing.
A number of people are already actively using Echo and Alexa-enabled devices for tasks like medicine reminders, recording messages to care staff, directly connecting to local authority services, general household appliance control of lights and thermostats, and even food delivery.
Unobtrusive movement sensors can oversee a person’s activity at home and help relatives or community services get a better idea of their activity, or show if they need more assistance or emergency help. However, cameras raise concerns over privacy and are not as effective at detecting, for example, skin colour changes or other specific health issues. technological advancements and handson care, meaning any devices must be supplemental and should not fully replace a physical carer's role.
Some carers are concerned about privacy over personal data and providing devices to people suffering mental impairment, particularly dementia, as there have been some instances where people have been frightened ‘because a machine is talking to them.’
Not everyone can comfortably 'problem-solve' technology. A user with impaired cognition may be unable to manage an alarm pendant, meaning care solutions have to offer multiple methods of use. It is also important that each person’s circumstances and needs are carefully assessed.
“These initial outcomes match the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) agenda to consider innovative approaches that will increase independence and self-care for people living with complex conditions, while also improving the circumstances of carers,” explains Dr Salah Al-Majeed, Acting Head of the School of Computer Science at the University of Lincoln.
“Technology offers increasingly potential for new methods of diagnosing, detecting and monitoring warning signs in vulnerable adults, and can also serve to connect friends, families, carers and communities within a wider web of support.
“While the UK’s care system is currently in the midst of a significant overhaul, the requirements of the country’s 14.1 million disabled people, and 5.3 million people aged over 75 have to be catered for. This is particularly the case when it comes to supporting Lincolnshire's rural community, where many people are living in isolated locations.
“We are completely appreciative of the fact that technology can’t do everything – it can’t put you to bed, clean you or give you a hug, but it can do other things which then allows the most valuable resource – social workers, occupational therapists, carers – to do other things for you that are also hugely important.”
“These demands present a significant challenge to councils, but there is a real opportunity to review how technology can help, and we’re excited that Lincolnshire is at the forefront of championing this goal.
“We want to encourage those receiving council support and individuals working in Lincolnshire’s care services to contribute to our ongoing surveys, which ask questions about people’s use, thoughts and opinions on technological support in adult social care.” To access these surveys please visit:
• Alexa, order a takeaway
• Remote monitoring
• Maintaining human contact • A question of privacy
• No one-size-fits-all
• Carers’ Questionnaire
https://lincoln.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ carers-questionnaire
• Adult care recipients’
Questionnaire
https://lincoln.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/ adults-questionnaire
Dr Al-Majeed concludes: “We are looking forward to revealing more detail on potential advances in technological adult social care support in a White Paper which will conclude our current project in October.”
‘New deal’ for ‘Shared Lives’ foster carers looking after 14,000 vulnerable adults called for by Unite
Employers have been urged by Unite the union to give a ‘new deal’ to the UK’s 10,000 ‘Shared Lives’ foster carers who look after about 14,000 vulnerable adults, many with learning difficulties, in their homes.
Unite said that many of the foster carers – employed by 150 different councils, as well as NHS trusts and charities – cannot take paid holidays or respite care, and that many of them have not had a pay rise in over a decade.
The plight of the carers was highlighted on BBC Radio Four’s You & Yours programme, following Boris Johnson’s announcement on the future funding of social care.
The union also said that many of the carers had faced victimisation for daring to challenge their poor pay and employment conditions. Many are now leaving the profession which was detrimental to the vulnerable adults who had become much-loved members of the family.
In its call for a new deal for foster carers, Unite said there should be:
• £315-a-week minimum for care and support • £100-a-week to cover the cost of food and utilities expenses • Housing benefit to be paid in full to carers • An end to victimisation of carers for challenging their present pay and conditions.
Unite regional officer Richard Stanforth said: “’Shared Lives’ carers are effectively ‘foster carers’ for vulnerable adults. There are about 10,000 such carers under self-employed contracts with 150 different local authorities, and some NHS trusts and charities.
“Many ‘Shared Lives’ carers cannot take paid or unpaid holiday, as some councils refuse to provide respite care, and many of them have not had a ‘rise’ in more than a decade which is disgraceful considering the soaring cost of living in recent times.
“Most of the people they care for have learning difficulties, but the schemes have expanded the types of people they will host to include people with mental health difficulties and victims of trafficking.
“They are proud to be ‘Shared Lives’ carers, but some employers have victimised and threatened carers for trying to secure better rights. Their biggest fear is that they will lose the people they care for – many of whom have lived with the carers for years and have become much-loved family members.
“Our members are leaving the profession, which is a false economy, as research by not for profit consultancy Social Finance has shown that ‘Shared Lives’ carers save councils £26,000-a-year for every individual they host at home rather than being in a care home. On top of that, a friendly home environment is obviously much better for the people they care for.
“Some local authorities effectively stop them taking unpaid respite or leave and they are not allowed to subcontract.
“However, some councils are excellent and they do give carers 42 days-a-year respite care and have increased their ‘pay’ each year, and have made large automatic payments to cover the 24/7 care that many of them are now doing because of the pandemic.
“Normally, many vulnerable adults go to day centres or supported work schemes, but this stopped because of Covid-19. Our members want all work schemes to offer a set of minimum standards.
“The ‘at home’ schemes are not supposed to be taking people who need 24/7 care, but increasingly the level of support that the people being hosted need has grown over the years, with schemes taking on people with greater and greater needs. Some people require help to eat or to use the bathroom and wash themselves and would not be able to make decisions independently to do this.
“With our four-point ‘new deal’, Unite is campaigning strongly for these injustices experienced by this group of workers caring for some of our most vulnerable citizens to be remedied immediately by those employers falling short.”
