Pediatric Bathing Aids for Special Children

 

Pediatric bathing aids alone bring in many questions – What kind of bathroom safety would it provide? What aids does it talk about? Is it an industry-specific name for grab rails and bars? Or it has something customized, especially for children, such as a bathtub for kids or children’s chairs. 

If you’re thinking about such questions, then you’re right on your point. Generally, bathroom aids are the term used for the elderly or the disabled ones. So, why do we use it to cater to the needs of special needs children? Here’s the answer.

The Need for Pediatric Bathing Safety

Special needs children generally have decreased muscle and are fragile. So, they require equipment that would protect them whether in the tub or toileting. Besides, children who experience tremors require a great deal of support to prevent injury. Limitation in trunk support also requires positioning support. 

Bathrooms also tend to have wetter surfaces, increasing the risk of falls. Hence, pediatric bathing aids. 

Protection is not the only reason to choose pediatric bathing aids. It also provides comfort and support. It makes the bathing experience soothing and less painful for the children. 

So, how to choose pediatric bathroom safety?

What to Look for When Choosing Bathroom Pediatric Safety

Pediatric bathing aids come in a variety of configurations that can suit several needs. Here’s what to consider:

• Will you train the child for the toilet?

Bathroom aids such as a toileting system allow you to convert the equipment in the shower off of the toilet, over the toilet, or remove the base to use on the top of the toilet. This kind of flexible aid makes it easy for children. Also, it would curb the need for multiple products. 

• Toileting or bathing?

Do you know that you can use most of the pediatric aids for both – bathing and toileting? However, some of the aids offer more adaptation. It could be a lucrative option for parents who are looking for aids for both the process. The two-in-one solution will cut the cost. 

While choosing one, look for a seat that would offer toileting adjustment for positioning with tilt-in-space. 

• What would be the best position for the child?

It may happen that you can’t tilt your child for better access or positioning. In that case, an aid that provides full tilt maneuverability would be best. While choosing the aid, make sure that it offers various accessories to customize the amount of support required. 

• Tub or shower?

Using aids in the tub presents a different kind of challenge than using aids in the shower. For instance, if a kid has complex seating, seating in the tub may create a lot of pressure and pain. In such cases, children’s chairs for the bathroom could be an effective solution. Also, when we talk about tubs, the caregiver would have to lift the child in and out of the tub, which can be difficult and painful if the child has fragile and weak muscles. 

So, you need to look for aids that could tackle this problem. However, you need to consider your tub size while choosing the aid. Also, check how reclined you want to see for the child, and lastly, consider the child’s ability in terms of motion, tone, and positioning. Go for a bath seat that will provide recline options as well as support. 

• What about growth spurts?

While choosing the pediatric bathing aid, you need to consider your child’s growth. A piece of equipment that’s good for the present won’t be helpful next year. So choose one that’s flexible and can be adjusted for size as the child grows. It would not only reduce your efforts but also help financially. Flexible equipment that costs high but can be used for 5-6 years or more is a profitable investment. 

That’s it!

Consider these points and choose the right pediatric bathing aid for your child. 

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Summary

While choosing the pediatric bathing aid, make sure that they keep the child safe and provide support. Also, they should reduce the efforts of the caregiver.

Do Posture Braces Really Improve Health?

 

A bad posture is not just a habit that you could change over time. It's detrimental to your health. A poor back can affect your entire health. Thankfully, you can fix it with correctors like back braces and shoulder braces. These aids help you sit straight, heal yourself, and give your back a rest.

There are plenty of products to choose from.

Let us see what they are and how they are helpful.

Posture Correctors: A Brief Intro

Posture braces are simply a device that helps correct the body ailment of the user. They are considered posture enhancers. However, it is essential to know that they are different from back braces, whose purpose is to provide support and stability. Posture braces eliminate the tendency to hunch forward. It's crucial nowadays as most of the people work on low-desk. It means they lean forward to use computers and devices.

Why Posture Braces are Helpful

The sedentary lifestyle and people's working conditions cause them pain in areas of the body they may not consider. To be precise, the shoulders and back are the first ones to get affected by poor posture. The concept of posture correctors is to retain the posture and provide proper support. It helps the body to adapt to the new changes rather than staying in the old routine.

However, it comes in different shapes and sizes.

Types of Posture Braces

The different types of posture braces are:

• Cross Back Electric Brace

It pushes the chest forward when worn and supports the back, clavicle, and chest.

• Molded Upper Back Brace

It's made up of rigid materials and includes a rod fixed between two shoulder blades. It provides better support. However, different materials make it bulkier.

• Long Line Back Brace

People with lower back pain and poor posture should go for this option. It is made up of stiff material like plastic and provides better support. Also, they can help support back from shoulder to hip.

• Posture Support Clothing

Instead of wearing an extra piece above or beneath the clothing, you can wear a support brace as a piece of clothing. Items like t-shirts can help improve posture.

• Electronic Posture Reminder

It is a device that reminds people when they are slouching. It doesn't provide any support; instead, it buzzes when it detects that person is starting to slouch. It reminds them that they need to alter the position. It can be used with an app to track all the activities, alert history, etc.

[H2]Benefits of Posture Corrector

• Decreases Back Pain

From youngsters to adults and the elderly, almost everyone suffers from lower back pain and irritation. When these muscles are left poorly treated, it may leave you in the worst condition, causing swelling. That's when posture correctors come into the picture. They hold your torso in a way that increases your motion and takes off the burden from your back.

• Improve Mental Health

Physical pain and mental health are linked. When you don't have pain, you automatically feel happy and relaxed. As for posture, studies show that good posture improves mental function and memory.

• Reduced Stress Level

Do you know that great posture helps reduce cortisol levels in the body?

People who sit up straight and upright are relaxed and can experience calmness and serenity. This posture can even produce a meditative state. (The reason why meditation requires sitting up straight.)

As for back braces, it helps keep the spine straight, decreasing the amount of stress.

• Improved Self Esteem

When you Google motivational and self-development circles, you'll learn about the superhero pose. In this pose, you put your fist on your hips and stand up straight with your chest out. And science backs that this pose increases confidence.

Overall, these aids help you live better, age without pain and breathe better.

Summary

Posture correctors like back braces enhance the quality of life. It reduces stress, improves mental health, and helps get rid of lethargy.

Measuring up for the Best Walking Aid for You

 

Who Needs a Walking Aid?

Each and every one of us can develop a mobility difficulty at some stage in our lives, whether it be by accident, illness, old age, or some other event or happening.

Mobility helps us achieve and maintain independence and so, when mobility is affected, finding a walking aid which will help you retain that independence is a must.

Retaining a level of independence also helps maintain confidence and self-esteem.

Be aware that one walking aid doesn’t fit all. Getting the right one for you means looking at your lifestyle, your mobility situation and also your body balance and strength, to weigh up which walking aid will best serve you.

Walking aids can take many shapes and forms:

• Walking sticks
• Walking canes
• Crutches
• Walking frames (no wheels)
• Walking frames with wheels.

Walking Sticks

A walking stick is a temporary accessory for giving balance and stability when walking on uneven terrain e.g. walking uphill, climbing gentle hills, or walking along a rugged lane.

Walking sticks give minor support and should not be bought as a mobility aid.

Walking Canes

A walking cane is a mobility aid which helps reduce weight and pressure on an injury over a period of rehabilitation time.

By transferring the body weight to the upper body, arm and wrist, an injury such as damage to the knee, or a foot injury, can be given respite, whilst still allowing the person to go about some of their normal duties.

Walking canes with one prong touching the ground are much easier to use and manoeuvre than walking canes that have four prongs.

Some walking canes have four prongs touching the ground, allowing the user to distribute their weight evenly over the sturdy device.

A walking cane which suits a man may not suit a woman. Differences in design can incorporate wide or smaller handles, slender of wider canes and some which are lighter in weight than others.

Walking canes need to be height-adjustable, to support the user in standing comfortably upright, rather than standing on tiptoes or stooping.

Crutches

Crutches reach into the user’s armpits and so the shoulders take the body’s weight, giving damaged parts of the body a chance to repair.

In order to be effective, the crutch height must exactly match the user’s underarm height and frame.

Crutches allow the user to walk on one leg, by swinging the body forward when the crutches are in place a little forward from the user. Crutches take all of the pressure off an injured lower limb.

Walking Frames

A standard walking frame stands in front of the user and allows the user to make small steps forward, with the sturdy walking frame taking on board their weight and also steadying their balance.

This special aid can be used both inside the house and for short journeys outdoors e.g. spending time in the garden.

This mobility aid may be used by people who have a temporary mobility difficulty, or by someone who needs a little extra support when walking.

A zimmer frame is also a walking frame but simply known by its own brand name (Zimmer), just like we sometimes say hoover (Hoover is also a brand name) for vacuum cleaner.

When walking more slowly (e.g. strolling, or moving about the house), a walking frame is a good choice.

The user must lift the light-weight frame forwards a few inches, place it securely on even ground and then step towards it, continuing this action to arrive at the desired point.

A walking frame allows the user to transfer sixty four percent of his/her body weight onto their shoulders, arms and wrists, giving respite to joints and muscles in the body.

The user of a walker without wheels will need a degree of upper body strength, so as to lift the frame forwards for each step taken.

Walking frames come as both three- and four-legged support frames. The right one depends on how much assistance the user needs in walking.

For manoeuvrability, a three-legged walker will move easier in tight spaces e.g. in the home.

Some standard walkers sport two legs and two wheels. Lifting the back of the walker rather than the whole item may seem more comfortable but having only the wheels touching the floor could lead to the walker running away from the user and result in a fall.

Rubber ferrules are attached to the base of each leg, to give more grip and to keep the walking aid steady.

Walking Frames with Wheels

Walking frames with wheels allow the user to move by pushing the walker, rather than lifting it forward, as is the case with the standard walking frame.

Walkers with wheels should not be bought for the purpose of supporting the user’s body weight, as too much pressure can cause the wheeled walker to slip out from under them.

If balance isn’t an issue for the individual, a wheeled walker is an excellent choice, as it allows the user to travel quicker over distance.

A walker with wheels requires less arm strength, with the wheels doing the moving forward, as opposed to lifting a walker which has no wheels.

It gives some support to the user and requires less upper body strength than the walker without wheels.

Walking frames with wheels have hand-operated brakes on each of the wheels, allowing the user to be fully in charge of how far the walking aid travels forward and to be able to lock it in position, when standing stationary.

Walking Frames with Three Wheels (Tri-Walkers)

The tri-walker has one wheel at the front and two at the back, which allows for greater manoeuvrability and much easier turning.

Whilst a tri-walker is lighter in weight and easier to pack, the space between the three wheels provides a small platform to carry a bag but doesn’t provide seating.

Walking Frames with Four Wheels (Rollators)

Also known as rollators, four -wheeled walkers have larger tyres and have better grip and manoeuvrability than standard walkers with smaller moulded wheels.

The walking frame with four wheels also houses a seat, giving respite to the user when needed.

Four wheel models can prove more difficult to manoeuvre, making turning difficult in tight spaces.

A four wheel model is safer outdoors than the three wheel model, as it provides better stability, moving over bumps on pavements and uneven turf more safely.

How to Use a Walking Frame with Wheels

A walking frame with wheels must be adjusted to suit the height of its user. Handles at an inappropriate height could lead to instability and falls.

To gauge the correct height for the handles for safe use, the user must place his / her straight arms at an angled and forward downward position (similar to that when walking a dog on a lead). Handle height should equal the distance then measured between wrist and floor.

Before sitting on the wheeled walker seat, be sure that the brakes are on and that the seat is located up against a wall or some other fixture, to prevent it sliding away from you.

When sitting on the seat of a four-wheeled walker with wheels, the user’s feet must be flat on the ground, to give stability.

When walking, the walker should be close to the user’s body, so as to support an upright frame.

Allowing too much distance between body and walker, or leaning into the walker, can lead to loss of control and stumbling.

When folding a wheeled walker for storing, always set the brakes before folding, so that it doesn’t run away from you.

When getting a folded wheeled walker ready for use, make sure that the bar under the seat has locked into position.

When using the brakes, squeeze upwards to brake and press down to permanently lock into position e.g. for sitting, or for folding the walker.

When using a four wheel walker, you will need a wider turning circle to make a u-turn.

Do not lean onto the walker to stand up straight, as this could cause the walker to tilt and the user to fall.

Overloading a walker, either overfilling the basket or hanging shopping bags from the walker frame, will add to the weight of the walker and make it more difficult to push and manoeuvre.

When using a walker with wheels in the home, beware of items which could cause the walker to come to a sudden halt (e.g. a rug) and the user to fall.

Summary

When choosing the right walking aid, real thought must be put into the pending user’s upper body strength, balance and current walking ability.

A larger or heavier walking aid will prove to be more stable than a smaller or lighter one, as it heightens stability.

Smaller walkers (triangular frames) are more suitable for indoor use, where turning space may be prove too restricted for four-legged / four-wheeled frames.

Before using a walking aid, be sure that any height adjustments to meet your requirements have been applied, as an un-adjusted aid will prove more dangerous that purposeful.

 

source : https://www.essentialaids.com/blog/measuring-up-best-walking-aid-for-you.html

 

5 Types of Wheelchair Ramps

 

In the UK alone, 1.2 million people use wheelchairs. Around 80,000 use it regularly, says the NHS statistics. Still, if you go out and ask a wheelchair user, you will find that the rolling space is not adequate as walking. Though the government has made many regulations in 25 years, however, ramps and lift access are in undersupply. 

The provision of even the basic ramps is inadequate. Hence, the demand for portable ramps like aluminium ramps remains high among wheelchair users and carers. Most of them install permanent and semi-permanent ramps to deal with day-to-day obstacles. 

There are various types of ramps that can help solve these problems. Let us find the one suitable for you. 

1. Threshold Ramps

These are often used to provide a smoothless transition from one room to another. They create a sloped surface over the door so that a wheelchair can roll up and over without any hindrance. These ramps are made from synthetic fibre, fibreglass, and aluminium. 

Some ramps sit flush with the top on the side, while an identical one is used on the other side, if the floor is not even there.

You can even go for a synthetic rubber material ramp. It is heavy and has high friction, and thus would stay in one place without any fixing. It’s non-slip, meaning it’s safe for people walking across the threshold. 

Another similar design is Outdoor Fibreglass Threshold Ramp. It’s made of non-corrosive fibre that makes it suitable for outdoor and garden use.

Overall, these ramps are light in weight and can be easily installed and removed. 

2. Aluminium Ramps

These are the most preferable in the wheelchair ramp category, especially in the portable one. They are light in weight, rigid, non-corrosive, and cost-efficient. Previously when metal was used for ramps, its downside was heavyweight and tendency to rust. So, fibreglass was the preferred option. However, as aluminium became widely available, it suppressed the fibreglass and became the preeminent portable solution. 

3. Folding Ramps

These kinds of ramps are viable for transportation as you can fold them for easy storage. Generally, they are larger than the threshold. Besides, they are light, easy to carry, strong, and adaptable to the obstacles they need to tackle. 

They are mostly available in length of 10ft and can be folded in the middle. While some separate in two halves, each half can again fold in half once more.

While choosing the ramp, remember to look for one that’s long enough to tackle the obstacle. 

4. Channel Ramps

They also have another option in the folding category. Channel ramps come in two sections and are supposed to be aligned accurately when not in use. 

Here, each section is narrow and has raised edges so that wheels on one side could roll. The raised edge prevents the wheelchair from slipping off. 

The folding ones are hinged in the centre. It makes each side lightweight and easy to transport. They are generally used while moving electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters through a vehicle with adequate capacity. 

Channel ramps are ideally made of aluminium. They have a milled pattern or grained plastic surface on a rolling surface. This surface, in turn, improves friction and reduces the chances of slipping. 

5. Suitcase Ramps

They are designed in the form of a suitcase. Here, the two halves of the ramp fold in the middle, and have a handle on one side that allows carrying it like a suitcase. 

You can find numerous suitcase ramps ranging from 2ft to 7ft in height. Most of them don’t slip on the rolling side. 

How to Choose a Wheelchair Ramp?

No matter what, you need a ramp for – wheelchairs, rollators, mobility scooters, or other mobility aids, you must consider access ramps. 

Next, measure any impediment that your ramps might have to overcome. Check the gradient, scale, and space needed to lay. Lastly, cross-check it with your requirements and choose one. 

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Summary

Make sure that your wheelchair ramp has a minimum 1:6 gradient. For transportation, opt for a foldable ramp or a foldable channel ramp. You can even use suitcase ramps if you need to carry them. For a portable solution, prefer aluminium or threshold. 

Source:https://www.sooperarticles.com/health-fitness-articles/disabilities-articles/5-types-wheelchair-ramps-1805265.html