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Tag: moving and handling

Home Adaption for Parkinson’s Patients

If you are living with Parkinson’s disease or caring for a PD sufferer, you will be well aware that everyday tasks and activities can become challenging. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that mainly affects the motor system. The main three common symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease are:

  • Tremor – shaking in the hand or arm
  • Slowness of movement – physical movements are slower than usual
  • Muscle stiffness – stiffness and tension in the muscles, which can also result in painful muscle cramps

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease yet, there are devices and equipment available which make everyday tasks for Parkinson’s patients less stressful. Adapting a patients’ home with specialist patient handling equipment can also help to maintain independence and self-respect.

Here are some ideas to improve the quality of life for PD sufferers.

Patient handling equipment ideal for Parkinson’s patients:

Multicare Modular Rise and Recliner Chair

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The Modular is a classic and comfortable rise and recline chair. It is available with 5 back designs, 4 motor actions and supportive scrolled arms. This helps Parkinson’s patients to sit and mobilise with confidence. The Modular is available in four standard sizes or completely bespoke, with a vast range of colours and fabrics making it perfect for all users and home environments. The chair can be specified up to 50 stones SWL, and has many options such as massage, heat, or drop arms for easy transfers. The option of fine Scottish leather proves that the correct anatomic support can be combined with cocooning luxury! Call us today for a chair assessment!

Entrina Air Mattress

Parkinson's patients

The Entrina Air Mattress provides maximum pressure relief using I.P.S. (Intelligent Pressure Sensing technology) with five different patient weight settings. The Micro-ventilated cells allow a great air circulation and patient moisture and temperature regulation to relieve tension on pressure points and painful muscle strain. The Entrina mattress is composed of a 2″ foam base 20 individual 5-inch tall air cells so it is suitable for medium to high risk patients and for pressure ulcer treatment up to stage III.

Multicare Turning Discs

Parkinson's patients

The Multicare Turning Discs are designed to make transfers easier and safer for Parkinson’s patients. The Turning Disc is available in either soft or hard material to provide a smooth, controlled transfer in confined spaces. Whether your patient requires support when transferring from their bed, wheelchair, car etc, the Turning Discs will provide a secure transfer for any environment.

Aquatec Ocean VIP Shower / Commode Chair Range

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The Ocean shower and commode chair range is stylish, easy to move and simple to clean. Parkinson’s patients use the Ocean shower chair with walk-in showers to provide comfort and ease during personal care. The chair is height adjustable, the armrests lift up and the soft seat is easily removable for cleaning or storing away. The chair comes in two different sizes and is available with Tilt-in-Space and back angle recline, making it suitable for all users. Supplied with a commode bowl, adjustable backrest and aperture seat, The Ocean really is the ultimate shower chair.

Paris Profiling Bed

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The Paris is a stylish profiling bed for Parkinson’s patients featuring high low functionality and four section profiling action. It has a welded steel mattress platform for strength and longevity, and high-quality motors for years of problem free use. The Beech design blends into any home or care environment, with a variety of head and footboard designs and concealed castors. The Paris bed really does have that ‘non-medical’ look.

For more information on Parkinson’s disease, please visit the National Parkinsons Foundation website: www.parkinsons.org
Can’t see what you’re looking for? We have a warehouse full of patient handling and mobility aids from our old premises. Call us today to find out more.

*The products shown on this post are a guide for carers or users with Parkinson’s disease. Please seek medical advice from your doctor or occupational therapist.

Portable Handling Equipment: Perfect for travelling

Its holiday time! Sun, sea and Sangria!

Choosing a holiday destination is part of the excitement. But try searching for a suitable destination to cope with disabilities – that can be challenging!

When you live with a disability, the success of a holiday depends on extensive preparation and in-depth planning for both travel and accommodation. This applied particularly if you require support and handling equipment for everyday use.

After choosing accommodation, deciding what equipment is suitable to take with you or what portable handling equipment is available can be quite overwhelming.

We want to make sure that your holiday is as stress-free as possible, and that you enjoy every moment of it. So we’ve rounded up a list of portable handling equipment which is perfect for travelling with and taking on holiday.

6 Portable handling devices perfect for travelling:

1. Voyager Portable Hoist

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The Oxford Voyager Portable hoist is a great lifting solution and easily transportable. Requiring no permanent electrical supply, the Voyager hoist is ideal for short-term or temporary solutions and great as a long-term solution too. It is suitable for all environments and mounts and dismounts easily without the need for tools.

When combined with the Easytrack gantry system, the Voyager Portable hoist is perfect for room hoisting when travelling.Freestanding, easy and quick to assemble, both Voyager and Easytrack disassemble into lightweight parts with dedicated transport bags available.

2. Journey Standing Hoist

portable handling equipment

The Journey Standaid is one of the most compact standing hoists on the market today.

The aluminium Journey is lightweight and foldable, making it perfect for onward transportation. The aluminium design and structure ensures a strong and durable assembly, with a safe working load of 155kg.

The hoist is dismantled without tools and folds quickly for travelling and storage when not in use.

3. Medex Air Overlay Mattress

portable handling equipment

The Medex Air Overlay is designed to be used on top of an ordinary mattress, providing protection and comfort for patients who are susceptible to tissue degradation. The power unit has an adjustable air pressure feature to suit individual patients weight, providing optimal pressure relief and better sleeping quality. The Medex is ideal for travelling as it is quiet, energy efficient, light, easy to operate and easy to fold.

A perfect choice for low to medium risk ulcer treatment up to stage II.

4. Slim Cushion

portable handling equipment

The Slim Cushion is a superbly comfortable 2.5inch cushion offering comfort when seated. The cushion is used on all kinds of chairs and wheelchairs, to increase comfort and reduce pressure at entry level. The Slim Cushion is extremely light and comes with a black PU water cover.

Check out our other pressure care cushions here. 

5. The Birdie Folding Hoist

portable handling equipment

The Birdie Folding Hoist is designed for comfort, transportation and practicality. Giving maximum patient space, it allows easy rotation and turning when hoisting. It folds simply and quickly without tools and takes up minimal space when folded in an upright position. With a clear hand control, foot-operated leg spread and ergonomic push bar, the Birdie is simple and extremely practical.

6. The ReTurn

portable handling equipment

The ReTurn is a simple, yet multi-functional transportation platform. Its design stimulates the natural pattern of moving from a sit-to-stand position. It strengthens a range of muscles and allows patients to move in any direction through a pivoting platform. The ReTurn is very easy to use and comes with a removable base, which is perfect for travelling and onwards transportation.

7. Wheelchair in Bag

portable handling equipment

This ultra-lightweight, attendant-propelled wheelchair is ideal for both outdoor and indoor use. Complete with its own carry-bag, this wheelchair is great for travel as it is manageable enough to take on aeroplanes, ships and public transport. Contact us to find out more about the Wheelchair in a Bag.

Get in touch for more information on our portable handling equipment.

Moving and Handling Plan: 5 points to consider

Moving and handling plans are implemented to reduce the risk of injury to staff and patients using patient handling equipment.

Moving and handling activities are a key part of carers everyday routine within the health and social care industry. Their duties can range from using moving equipment, assisting residents in moving, bathing and dressing, plus much more.

If moving and handling tasks aren’t carried out correctly, there is a danger of serious injury to carers and patients. Any care provider or organisation that uses patient handling equipment will need to introduce safety procedures and risk assessments to avoid any accidents and injuries.

As an employee, it is important that you follow an appropriate system of work when using the equipment that is provided. Try to avoid manual handling tasks which could result in an injury or assess risks that cannot be avoided. Enforcing safety measures will help to reduce the risk, where reasonably practicable.

5 points to consider when writing a moving and handling plan:

  • Competency: Ensure that the carer(s) conducting the task have been suitably trained to do so.
  • Plan ahead: Identify what is needed to reduce the risk for all moving and handling tasks. This includes techniques, equipment, accessories and number of carers needed.
  • Risk assessments: Ensure there is a current risk assessment for the procedure you are undertaking. The risk assessment should include; techniques to be used, equipment type/size, the number of carers needed and any other relevant information. The risk assessment should be reviewed constantly, specifically when the patient’s needs change.
  • Service of equipment: Ensure that any equipment you are using is checked daily and has had a LOLER inspection within the last 6 months with documentation. The date of the next service should be clearly marked on the equipment. Click here to check which work equipment requires regular LOLER testing.
  • Cooperation and communication: When moving a patient, constantly cooperate and communicate with both the patient and the carer assisting. Cooperation helps to ensure that you and the assisting carer know what you are doing. Communicating the task helps to reassure the patient that they are in safe hands.

For more information on moving and handling plans, click here.

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Registered Office: Progress House, Jacknell Road, Dodwells Bridge Industrial Estate, Hinckley. LE10 3BS