ADASS urged to make better use of opportunities already to hand

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) claims in its latest Autumn Survey⁽¹⁾ that we need to shift to a preventative model of care and increase investment in recovery services to avoid a continuing cycle of crisis in winter.

Leading mobility supplier AAT says a change in approach to how existing availability of equipment is used could make inroads in the problem immediately.

Manage the risk with preventative steps

Wider acknowledgement of the role and potential impact that non-fixed equipment such as stairclimbers and “people picker uppers” could have a significant impact on reducing pressure on social care and the NHS by managing the risk to older and disabled people. 

Mobile, portable equipment reduces need for social care at home

Requiring no installation, the aids can be issued within days from Equipment Stores or AAT direct to make it safe for the older or disabled person to remain at home.

When the recipient no longer needs it, the kit can be re-issued/re-allocated/recycled to someone else.

AAT’s S-Max stairclimber can transform a wheelchair into a stairclimbing wheelchair, or with its integral seat (S-Max Sella), make stairway/step access safe for an older person with reduced mobility.

S-Max does not require installation. It does not obstruct the staircase/steps for other members of the household.

And it eliminates the need for a potentially dangerous transfer at the top of the stairs or steps. When no longer needed by the initial recipient, it can be re-allocated to someone else.

AAT’s range of people picker upper equipment safely restores an uninjured fallen person to a safe height to sit or stand without the delay of waiting for non-emergency services to respond.

Again, if employed at an individual’s home, when no longer needed it can be re-allocated- recycled- to someone else in need.

Necessary, appropriate steps= best value

“The social care convention when someone’s mobility is reduced is to look at ramps, stairlifts- permanent, fixed solutions that take time- and money. More often than not, they also only benefit the initial recipient,” says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.

“When funds and specialist staff are under pressure, surely it makes sense to look at options that deliver the necessary, appropriate risk management that offer better value and do not require social care staff input?”

He adds, “Social care and housing are inextricably linked. The reality is that 80% of the homes we will be occupying in 2050 already exist⁽²⁾. We need fast solutions to help make our existing housing safer and more accessible so people can continue to live independently at home. Those solutions are to hand, available, already in use. It is only because they are not ‘mainstream’ that they are not considered ways to ease the pressure on adult social care- pressure that is only going to get worse with our ageing society.” 

Find out more about AAT’s fall prevention and fall recovery options at www.aatgb.com.

ENDS

References:

• https://www.adass.org.uk/media/9884/autumn-survey-2023-social-care-housing-health-and-winter-final.pdf
• https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/uk-needs-to-retrofit-26-million-homes-by-2050-to-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions