WHAT'S NEW? GRANDE WAY TO HELP ADDRESS BARRIERS TO POSTURAL CARE


Addressing postural care should be a pre- requisite of occupational therapy yet is a postcode lottery, according to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).


The problem is further complicated by lack of awareness among professionals, the breadth of issues posture management affects resulting in multiple disciplines being involved, and the diversity of equipment required to achieve round-the-clock support and correction and thus funding streams.


AAT is aiming to simplify the process. Its Grande vacuum posture cushion delivers almost all sedentary and supine positioning support required day or night. So just one health professional need prescribe.


Caregivers can precisely mould and fix the mattress-sized cushion to correctly support whether sitting or lying in the day or sleeping at night. Grande can be used as a mattress for resting, sleeping or physiotherapy, or folded to create a seat – standalone, on a chair or on a sofa.


Its construction also means it is tactile and easily transmits sound waves, so it can double as a conductor for sensory stimulation.


The technology Grande uses is based round the principles of a bean bag, giving the precise shaping inherent in the concept. The beans contour precisely to the required body shape. By attaching a pump, the air


between the beans is extracted, fixing that shape with the preferred degree of firmness.


The shaping can be as detailed as required, providing correct stabilisation with minimal pressure and even allowing for pommels, wedges, hollows for feeding tubes. There is no need for restraint, even during dystonic episodes or hyperactivity.


Frequent re-plumping or positioning of conventional cushion-type posture systems becomes a thing of the past. To re-shape, simply allow air back into the Grande and mould as necessary, be it a simple adjustment for body position and comfort or a complete reconfiguration.


Peter Wingrave, AAT Director, said: “The role postural care plays in the health and wellbeing of disabled people and their carers is acknowledged, but the way our health service is structured, delivery is fragmented. Yet addressing it would have a huge impact not only on the people who need it, but on the demand for associated NHS services.


“If just one healthcare professional thinks outside the box and looks at something like Grande, which answers the specific issue they have for a client but simultaneously could answer other issues for that client, surely it must be considered?”


www.aatgb.com/grande


REDCAR AFC AND CARE 24-7 KICK OFF 25TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR WITH GIFT OF WARMTH DONATION


Local homecare provider Care 24-7 is marking a major milestone year by partnering with Redcar Athletic Football Club to support the community’s most isolated residents, as the company celebrates its 25th Anniversary.


Care 24-7 joined forces with the football club to deliver care packages to elderly people in Redcar who have no family support nearby.


The initiative saw Redcar AFC donate official club scarves, woolly hats, and luxury toiletry sets, which were personally delivered by the care team to help vulnerable seniors beat the winter isolation.


Danielle Teasdale, Registered Manager for Care 24-7 in Redcar, said: "The gifts were provided as part of our Christmas approach, recognising that the festive period is traditionally a time for exchanging


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giſts, connection and goodwill. We were conscious that some of our clients may be alone at this time and did not want them to feel forgotten or excluded. The intention was to offer a small, thoughtful gesture that reflected care, dignity and human connection, consistent with our values and the ethos of our organisation. Seeing our clients wrapped up in their Redcar AFC scarves, reminds them that they belong to this town."


Kev Fryett, Chairman of Redcar AFC, added: "Redcar AFC is more than just a football club; we are a family. When Care 24-7 told us there were people in our town who needed a boost, we wanted to help. We are proud to support the compassionate work Danielle and her team do every day."


www.care247.ltd.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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