THE BACKGROUND
Case Study:
Home adaptation, Shropshire
Astor Bannerman are proud to have completed a project for a family home adaptation in Shropshire. The family who were previously living in a more confined arrangement, needed an array of specialist equipment and adequate space to help support their daughter, Ellie who has Spina Bifida, high level spinal paralysis and associated severe curvature with non-invasive ventilation required.
Our product specialist was on-site to survey their new home, offer design advice and provide comprehensive information on our range of specialist equipment that would best suit the families needs. Spanning over three rooms, a multi-room ceil-ing hoist system, assisted bath and free-standing height adjustable changing table were installed. This adaptation not only provides the family with additional space to support Ellie, but also allows her to have improved dignity and independence whilst providing support for her family and carers reducing risk of injury/back strain and making caring for Ellie a more efficient process.
THE SOLUTION
The design and product placement in an installation like this is always very important. The users needs and requirements really need to be taken into consideration to ensure the family are fully supported. See below for elements installed into each room:
Bathroom: The bathroom includes a specialist height adjustable Assisted Bath and the Mona Free-Standing Height Adjustable Changing Table, positioned carefully in conjunction with the Overhead Tracking System on a 90° curve with a magnetic gate system that allows the hoist to pass from Bedroom to Bathroom.
Bedroom: To allow for full room coverage the OT200 Ceiling Hoist System has been installed in a H-Frame (X-Y) Configuration. This allows the user to traverse freely across the whole room and easily transferred from wheelchair to bed, to bathroom etc.
Lounge: A simple straight track was installed to allow to allow easy transfer from lounge to bedroom. The track features our multi-room Magnetic Gate system that allows the hoist to seamlessly pass from one room to another.
Maggie Downs explains “Ellie has had no access to a suitable bath for 6 years, so the new OpeMed bath installation has facilitated assisted entry and the ability to be safely left in the bath with additional cushions for the first time ever!
The height adjustable changing table also allows Ellie and her carers to transfer out of her wheelchair, sit on the table in its low position, and with minor assistance be involved with dressing and with sitting balance exercise.