Unicare plays a pivotal role in improving the way assistive technology for community is prescribed
Seminar: Assistive Technology for Community
-Reviewing clinical advantages of equipment choice to achieve independent Living, Rehabilitation and Reablement Goals
Thursday 24 March 2022
Technology Park Function Centre, Bentley
Our Assistive Technology (AT) for Community Seminar has always been a valuable opportunity for those looking to upskill and improve their understanding of commonly prescribed AT for community and in-home care.
Facilitated by Unicare Health’s clinical educator and trainer, Annette Terranova, this seminar reviewed the clinical advantages of equipment range to achieve Independent Living, Rehabilitation and Reablement goals.
Annette began her presentation by reviewing the most commonly used wheelchairs and discussing some factors to consider when prescribing wheelchairs, such as functional independence, pressure care, seating, and transfers.
She talked about long-term functional decline and what that meant when prescribing wheelchairs, as well as the importance of considering wellness, enablement, and reablement goals when making AT decisions.
“We need to look at how ‘comfort’ in a wheelchair can promote functional independence. How can we enable functional independence for our clients in the community?”
Annette showed everyone the differences between ‘out of the box’ chairs like the Echo Lite, Tourer, Breezy Basix, and Breezy Rubix and scripted chairs like the Quickie2.
Participants were also taught when and why to consider semi-scripted chairs like the SR45 (Tilt in Space), Ansa Relax (Lift and Recline), and Quickie IRIS (Power Tilt).
Annette shared her experience, discussing when and why she would recommend one wheelchair over another, and introduced a variety of different features.
“A wheelchair and seating system that makes a user feel comfortable and safe can help to reduce behaviours of concern and improve functional independence.”
Annette also presented a range of profiling beds starting with Wissner Bosserhoff’s feature-packed Sentida 6 bed, Unicare’s Floorline bed, Ansa’s Xcel 2 bed, and other popular options.
She discussed the differences between sleep surfaces, explained the value of double retraction, dispelled common misconceptions about bed rails, and showed attendees how to make the best use of bed features to encourage bed mobility, reduce manual handling, and promote users’ interaction with their environment.
Participants were introduced to key bed accessories such as handsets and mobility aids to help maximise their optimal bed choice for users.
Annette encouraged everyone to think about the benefits of beds with an auto contour function, which raises the knee break and head rest at the same time to prevent users from sliding down the bed, to prevent shearing and reduce manual handling.
Participants learnt about the opportunities available to customise beds and optimising bed functions to meet specific needs.
After lunch, Annette discussed support surfaces for pressure care.
Starting with Care of Sweden’s range of pressure care mattresses, Annette discussed the benefits of foam, air and air-foam combination mattresses and the clinical application of these support surfaces and their therapeutic functions.
She then discussed cushion options, including basic foam cushions, the Equagel cushion, ROHO cushions for pressure relief, and a variety of JAY cushions for better seating and positioning.
Annette took cushions apart, removing covers and discussing the properties of materials used inside such as gel sacks, memory foam, and others. She also discussed cushion maintenance and the suitability of these options for a user’s environment.
Annette also discussed Juvo’s shower commode range, giving attendees an overview of each model and its appropriate clinical applications.
“It is important to trial shower commodes to make sure they can fit through doorways and be properly positioned over a toilet.”
Finally, Annette provided attendees with an overview of Unicare’s manual handling equipment, demonstrating the differences in lift made by the Oxford Journey and Ansa Salsa standing hoists, as well as the differences in lift made by the Oxford Advance and Ansa Sonata lifting hoists.
She also demonstrated the differences between lifting someone with a 2-point yoke and a pivot frame, and talked about when to consider these different options.
The session concluded with questions and an open discussion covering topics ranging from seating and positioning to support surface selections, shower commodes, and manual handling equipment.
It was a delight to see such active participation in the room and a joy watching everyone taking notes intently throughout the day.
Thank you
Unicare Health would like to thank everyone for attending our AT for community seminar.
We unicare about playing a pivotal role in improving the way Assistive Technology for community is prescribed and extremely thankful to all the occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, trainers and clinicians who gave up their day to learn from us, knowing how much their work would benefit from it.
We’re in love with all the work we do that goes into professional development, and so glad for all the magical partnerships that have evolved from these clinical training events. We’re blessed to have a following of like-minded clinicians who enjoy working with us, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve community care.
