Age UK Trading has teamed up with Theraposture, a long established adjustable bed specialist, to offer a new range of electrically adjustable beds for older people. Age UK Adjustable Beds are designed so that older individuals and couples can sleep comfortably and feel refreshed, the beds have been developed by Theraposture in association with a qualified Occupational Therapist to offer the highest levels of support and reliability.
The new collection of Age UK Adjustable Beds includes ready-to-choose and tailor-made adjustable beds, which can be created online using an easy-to-use “Bed Builder” virtual tool. Found at www.ageukbeds.co.uk, the “Bed Builder” helps users create a unique bed from an extra range of options including function, style, size and finish. Helena King, Head of Affinity & Product Development at Age UK, comments: “Age UK Trading specialise in the evolving needs of older people and work with quality partners to offer a range of products specially designed for those in later life. We understand that in order to be happy at home it's important to be relaxed and comfortable, and are delighted to be working with Theraposture to offer a new range of adjustable beds.” David Holtum, Theraposture Managing Director concludes: “As a long established business, which has been family run since 1981, Theraposture has a history of working with Healthcare Professionals and Occupational Therapists. We are extremely proud to partner with Age UK and believe that the combination of leading charity and product supplier will hugely benefit those searching for the perfect nights’ sleep.” Age UK Trading works with a number of specially selected product partners that are leaders in their field and that share the Charity’s brand values, to offer a range of products to help older people live independently for longer. The beds range from Age UK Trading and Theraposture has been created to offer people in later life quality adjustable beds, which deliver the perfect balance of support and comfort to enable a great night’s sleep. Customers can expect fully adjustable beds, reducing pressure on the hips, back and joints to achieve the preferred sleeping position. The height can also be adjusted making getting in and out easier and reducing the risk of back strain for supporting relatives or carers. Each design is available in a variety of widths for both one person and for a couple to share which can be personalised with a range of options including headboards, fabrics and controllers. As part of the partnership Theraposture will raise a minimum of £85,000 through the promotion and sale of adjustable beds for Age UK Trading.
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![]() Ailsa Reston, OT, highlights the benefits of motorised power packs to protect carers from excessive back strain, when propelling manual attendant-controlled wheelchairs 1. About the Author: Ailsa Reston, Occupational Therapist Ailsa Reston qualified as an OT in 1986 from St. Andrews School of Occupational Therapy. She initially worked in the NHS in the field of adult physical medicine and then specialised in the field of neurology and the treatment of Stroke. In 1999, alongside fellow OT and COTSSIP member Bev Kelly, she set up the independent OT Practice, RKS Occupational Therapist Services based in Cheshire. RKS provides assessments and reports for various organisations and individuals including the NHS, Social Services, case managers, housing associations and charities. It has specialist knowledge regarding wheelchair and seating provision – both of which the NHS and Social Services depend upon. In addition to these frontline activities, the Practice provides an independent living showroom where end users can discuss individual mobility needs and trial products before purchase. 2. As average wheelchair occupant weight increases, a wheelchair power pack can be a proven solution A power pack is a battery operated, powered unit that can be fitted to the underside of a manual attendant-controlled wheelchair. It can include one or two drive wheels that are powered by an onboard battery connected to controls mounted on a wheelchair handle. If a reliable, ergonomic model is selected it will provide reliable and controlled, powered propulsion of a wheelchair and occupant with a common speed of 3-4mph. This is particularly important when carers need to negotiate slopes, ramps, kerbs or uneven surfaces and will eliminate potential overexertion. Products available will fit a wide variety of wheelchairs including many tilt-in-space models and TGA, as an example, has just introduced a bariatric power pack that can drive an occupant and wheelchair weighing up to 32st. Models can also provide forward and reverse motion to assist with manoeuvring in space limited places. 3. The evidence for change As independent OTs, we receive countless visits and enquiries from people with disabilities, and carers who are looking for powered assistance with propelling an attendant-controlled wheelchair. It is critical that wheelchair attendants in the community can manoeuvre immobile people in a strain-free manner and without affecting posture. Fitting a motorised power pack to an attendant-controlled wheelchair can provide sufficient assistance for carers, so that the effort needed to exert is nominal, ie. steering the wheelchair rather than pushing it. This gives carers protection against back and shoulder injuries, as well as providing a safeguard for those with heart or respiratory conditions Loads that are safe for carers to push are based on guidelines issued by the HSE. These clearly state that the exertion of force in excess of the guidelines, increases the likelihood of injury. It should be noted that HSE guidance assumes that the wheelchair being pushed is well maintained and being operated on a smooth surface. Unfortunately this may well not reflect most real life situations for carers and wheelchair users, who will be negotiating uneven paving, carpet and kerbs. The excessive stresses and strains being commonly placed on carers today can also be illustrated clearly by the following data: A six-year-old child weighing 20kg will, in conjunction with a standard wheelchair (12kg), have a combined weight of approximately 32kg. This is just over the safe limit for a female to push in order to maintain a chair’s momentum, on a gradient of 1:12, without risk of injury. In the same scenario, an 80kg adult in conjunction with a standard wheelchair (15kg) will weigh 95kg, well beyond the safe limit for males and females to push. Significant evidence continues to mount regarding the moving and handling risks associated with carers pushing manual wheelchairs. As an example, the ‘Keeping the Wheels Turning’ white paper produced by the University of Dundee in association with NHS Fife, states why power packs significantly reduce pain and health-related difficulties for attendant carers: ‘….shoulder pain for example is over four times as common for carers propelling attendant-controlled manual chairs as for those where the user has a power assisted chair. It is also noticeable that carers propelling manual wheelchairs are very much more likely to report heart, breathing or balance problems than those supporting powered wheelchair users….’ 4. Making a real difference at community level We have recently provided a TGA Powerpack to a customer who came to us with a voucher from NHS wheelchair services. He approached us for a lightweight wheelchair and a power pack to enable him to access the shops and local amenities with his wife. The gentleman had a severe visual impairment, Arthritis and was unable to walk more than 20 yards. He was given a choice of transit wheelchair that fulfilled his prescription and chose one that was lightweight for his wife to lift in and out of the car. They decided on the TGA Powerpack as this was the lighter option and was easier for his wife to fit to the wheelchair. She found the controls much simpler to use too. When demonstrating the chosen wheelchair and power pack, the gentleman stated that the provision of this power pack would ‘change his life’. Previously if he went out with his wife he had to sit in the car or alternatively was housebound. At RKS we also carry out work for local military veteran charities such as SSAFA and the Royal British Legion. I recently recommended a lightweight wheelchair with a TGA Powerpack to a 90-year-old ex-serviceman who suffered from Angina and a severe back problem. As he was unable to walk any distance due to his medical condition, his daughter wanted to take him out to the local shops, amenities and on day trips. His daughter also had trapped nerves in her back and struggled to push their existing NHS wheelchair, especially on inclines. The provision of this equipment will make pushing the wheelchair and her father around hilly Cumbria strain-free. Both wheelchair and power pack did not require excessive lifting to place in a car boot, which also helped to improve the quality of life for the client and his daughter. Another recent example involved provision of a unit to a gentleman who had suffered a Stroke, resulting in a left sided weakness. He was able to propel himself around his home in a wheelchair but outside accessibility was not possible as he lived on a steep hill. The provision of a power pack enabled his wife to take him into the local village with far greater ease, especially when coming back up the hill to their home. 5. Benefits to carers and wheelchair occupants of specifying a reliable, proven power pack The TGA Powerpack is light-in-weight and therefore makes lifting easier for carers when placing in a car. This is especially important as many may themselves be elderly or have medical problems such as back issues or Arthritis. The ergonomic controls make handling of the power pack straightforward and the battery can be removed quickly for off-board charging. The extended, padded handles provide better grip, which is of benefit if reduced dexterity is a problem for carers. The ease of connecting the TGA Powerpack drive unit to the controller is also a feature enables easy use. This power pack it is not as fiddly as some other models on the market. Being able to put the power pack on the majority of wheelchairs makes, with the multitude of bracket options available, gives the customer choice over the type of wheelchair that fulfills their needs. The power pack can also be fitted to wheelchairs with a tilt-in space-feature. As some of these specialist wheelchairs are quite big and bulky to push, it is a significant advantage to be able to use a power pack with these chairs. The TGA Powerpack can be positioned further under the wheelchair and therefore does not pose a tripping hazard for the attendant. The ability to change speed also allows the individual pushing the wheelchair to walk at a pace that is comfortable for them. The use of a power pack enables the wheelchair and occupant to be more easily propelled across grass or gravel and up or down slopes and ramps. 6. Conclusion Working in independent practice for many years now, I have seen the negative impact of excess strain on carers pushing attendant controlled manual wheelchairs in terms of muscle and back injury. This issue will only continue to grow as the trend toward heavier wheelchair users becomes ever more pronounced. Supported by HSE clinical evidence and guidelines, recommending the addition of a power pack to attendant-controlled manual wheelchairs is now an essential consideration. Motorised solutions from trusted suppliers such as TGA Mobility, can provide significant moving and handling benefits to all concerned with regular attendant-controlled wheelchair propulsion. At Kidz-to-Adultz-up-North Kidz Exhibitions Theraposture will be highlighting why the service provided by its Trusted Assessors is as outstanding as its products. All families and healthcare professionals visiting stand B10 will be able to discover why Theraposture offers support with peace of mind through:
• 35 years experience • 14 day Suitability Guarantees • Wide ranging appointment times including after school • Free assessments and demonstrations • Price matching like-for-like quotes Theraposture will be showcasing the Mascot Mk2 cot, a bespoke Hannah cot and a Theracare Low bed. There will be lots of sweets available on the stand (yummy!), and we look forward to discussing users needs with many families and healthcare professionals once more! http://bit.ly/1WOT0Cr TGA, a leading nationwide specialist in mobility scooters, has introduced a new 'Scoot and Be Seen' initiative to ensure its customers can maximise their visibility and safety during the winter and beyond. Since opening 30 years ago, TGA has always focused on the safety of its scooter customers. Not only does this family-run company supply an award-winning range of reliable and quality products, its customer care and servicing teams deliver impeccable support to end users. The TGA range including the flagship Breeze S4, cutting edge Vita range and the folding Minimo family are proven to deliver independence with peace of mind. Despite models such as the Vita 4 including the latest LED high intensity head and rear lights, TGA is committed to providing a comprehensive package of support that enhances safety. TGA's ongoing commitment to scooter owner safety includes personalised pre-ownership assessments, driver training and self-maintenance advice . With the onset of darker nights, TGA has added to these services by launching its 'Scoot and Be Seen' campaign that will raise awareness about safe driving. It will include free advice and driving tips, availability to a wider range of high visibility accessories and a free high-vis scooter bag with every scooter purchase. TGA national press exposure and online coverage will be used to raise awareness regarding safety and encourage scooter owners to be more informed and aware of their own capabilities. They will benefit from greater confidence and enjoyment through an ability to make the right driving decisions - increasing the safety of all highway users. Read more..... ![]() A new range of assistive baths will be unveiled by Gainsborough Specialist Bathing at the 2015 Care & Dementia Show (stand D10, NEC, 3-4 November). As Europe’s foremost provider of specialist bathing products, Gainsborough delivers the optimum solution so that bathers can bathe safely and in complete comfort in residential care and hospital environments. Being showcased at this year’s Care & Dementia Show, the latest range of baths promise to deliver impressive clinical and operational advantages for care providers. Live demonstrations of the new bath range, including its variable-height baths with powered traverse seat and reclining baths for improved postural control, will take place on stand D10. Gordon Farmiloe, Managing Director of Gainsborough Specialist Bathing comments: “We are delighted to unveil our new bathing range at the Care & Dementia Show. We believe it is the perfect platform to showcase how these world-class Gainsborough products will redefine assisted bathing. These baths, along with our comprehensive maintenance and service programmes, will ensure healthcare providers have the capability to continue delivering high quality care for many years to come.” Gainsborough’s new range of baths have been designed to meet a variety of user needs. Combined, the new Gentona, Sentes, Torin, Alera and Talano baths now offers healthcare providers more choice than ever before. The main benefits of the new range include:
Theraposture will be demonstrating its comprehensive service package alongside a selection of its popular sleeping solutions at Kidz-to-Adultz-up-North.Stand B10 – Kidz-to-Adultz-up-North, Thursday 19th November 2015, EventCity, Barton Dock Road, Manchester, M17 8AS. 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Theraposture is the trusted choice for families looking to own a quality power-adjustable cot or bed for disabled children. This family-run business has provided bespoke sleeping solutions with reliable profiling and variable height mechanisms since 1981. Each design is handcrafted in quality, aesthetics materials and offers safety and comfort for children with disabilities whilst playing or asleep. At Kidz-to-Adultz-up-North Theraposture will be highlighting why the service provided by its Trusted Assessors is as outstanding as its products. All families and healthcare professionals visiting stand B10 will be able to discover why Theraposture offers support with peace of mind through:
![]() Theraposture, the preferred specialist for quality assistive beds and cots, will be demonstrating its leading products and OT support programme along with offering an iPad Air 2 free prize draw on stand D30 at the OT Show (NEC, 25-26 November, 2015). Theraposture will also be the main sponsor for the new Paediatric Trail and will be sharing a stand with the Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children – its long-standing charity partner. As one of the main features on the Paediatric Trail, which highlights innovators within care for young people, the Theraposture stand will include a wide variety of content this year. In addition to offering the opportunity to win an iPad by simply registering on the stand, the Theraposture Trusted Assessors will be on hand to explain why their service is second-to-none in terms of OT and client support. Read more..... |
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