Come and see us at the Kidz to Adultz Show 17th November 2021 – ACC Liverpool, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4FP. See our kit in action and talk to our staff to learn how our extensive range of solutions provide positive outcomes.
For one mum, the potential danger in carrying her son up and down stairs is no longer an issue.
She has a revolutionary combination of equipment to help achieve the transfer, safely, for the long term.
Fred(*), now aged 8, has global development delay and epilepsy. As a result, he has no mobility and is totally dependant on adults for all of his transfers.
Getting up and down stairs in the family home is achieved easily, effortlessly and safely, using an AAT S-Max stairclimber.
Regular appraisal by his Occupational Therapy team has meant the equipment has continued to support Fred, even as his requirements have changed.
Class 1 medical device classified, the S-Max https://www.aatgb.com/s-max/ can either incorporate a seat, replicating the support of a wheelchair, or be attached to most common types of wheelchair.
The battery-powered unit smoothly kinetically moves up and down stairs, safely transferring the patient from one level to another- and onward to destination, executing 300 steps from one battery charge.
The rate of movement is completely controlled by the operator, who receives full training from AAT as part of the assessment and provision process.
When not in use, the S-Max can be folded away optimising living space for all members of the household.
Originally prescribed with a car seat when Fred was a toddler, the S-Max has now been fitted with AAT’s innovative Universal Back (https://www.aatgb.com/s-max/#section-154-78) to accommodate growth from a toddler into childhood.
The Universal Back can be precisely adjusted for lateral and vertical, forward and backward support, and even accommodate thoracic asymmetry. Harnessing provides further support if necessary.
Thus, the combination will continue to support Fred as he grows into adulthood.
“It was only meant as a short-term solution, but we’ve had it at least three years already!” comments mum Jane(*).
“The layout of our home and stairs means it was difficult to fit a stairlift or through-floor lift. The stairclimber is really important, particularly as Fred has grown and become too big to carry.
“He has seizures: even if he has one whilst I am moving him up or down the stairs, I know he is safe, I just pause the stairclimber until the fit has passed.
“The stairclimber’s very easy for me to use, I know I can move him safely, and that he is properly supported.”
AAT is the only national provider of stairclimbers and support equipment. Its nationwide team of specialists can work alongside the Occupational Therapist to assess- free of charge, and with appropriate health & safety measures- the suitability of a stairclimber for the property, the client, and their carer(s).
AAT can manage the whole process, from specification of any additional accessories if needed, supply of the equipment, and training of the carer who will operate the climber, ensuring a correct and safe solution.
To book a free, no obligation assessment click: https://www.aatgb.com/booking-form/
The pleasure of relaxing in a bath is now available to everyone, no matter their size, disability or bath, with a revolutionary yet simple aid.
Aqua Liberty transforms the bath-time experience for your client if you’re an OT, or you as the care-giver and your loved one.
In trials, it has already surprised all parties involved in its efficiency in transforming what for many can be a fraught occupation into a pleasurable, relaxing experience.
Based around our innovative infinitely variable vacuum posture support cushions, Aqua holds the bather in position, without pressure, irrespective of physical and/or neurological conditions, stabilising head, trunk and/or pelvis precisely and individually.
In the process, Aqua Liberty frees the care giver from the stress and strain of having the try and support their loved one whilst bathing.
Easy to use, Aqua Liberty can be fixed to and removed from the bath as needed, enabling other members of the family to still enjoy a bath without impediment.
The system comprises a stable, non-slip base which can exactly mould to the shape of any bath, to which the appropriate vacuum posture cushions (www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/) are attached and shaped to address the user’s precise needs.
The posture support cushions can be easily detached from the bathing aid and used almost anywhere else seating support is needed. The advanced neoprene cover can provide sensory stimulation.
The vacuum technology means the care giver can easily and quickly re-shape and re-mould the cushions as frequently as required, depending on where the cushions are being used, and the user’s own daily needs.
“Even we have been surprised at the effectiveness of Aqua Liberty in addressing bath-time support, transforming what for many can be a fraught occupation into a pleasurable experience for bather and care-giver,” says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.
“Everyone who has tested it in trials has been amazed at the ease with which it is fitted and shaped to bath and user, and the relaxing impact it has had on the bather. That has the add-on benefit of reducing stress on care-givers, enabling them to take the time to undertake hygiene and physiotherapy procedures. Everyone wins.”
This can be arranged by telephoning 01978 821875, emailing sales@aatgb.com, or online: https://www.aatgb.com/aqua-liberty/
One of the biggest problems for wheelchair users is dealing with stairs and steps: we are not all comfortable with the impact on our home of having a fixture installed that encroaches on living space, and even then, that doesn’t address how to overcome step(s) out of the house, in the community.
Our new Roby clips onto the wheelchair, eliminating any need for transfer. At a rate set and managed by you, the unit fluidly climbs or descends using electronically controlled gearing on the motor (tratogetonics). The climber offers optimal adjustment to accommodate most common wheelchairs whilst allowing room for you to comfortably move and steer from behind, with minimal effort.
When not required, it disassembles into two manageable parts for easy storage and transportation.
“The Roby brings a new dimension to prescription of inter-level transfer for a disabled client,” explains Peter Wingrave, AAT Director. “Stairclimbers are increasingly being specified as the preferred solutions for inter-level transfer, to help people deal with steps and stairs. They mean there is no need to even consider structural constraints/ adaptation within the home. They are swift and cost-effective, enabling timely provision, often from equipment stores, especially when facilitating hospital discharge and overcome structural constraints. They enable the client and all other members of the household to continue to use the home’s layout as normal.
“Adding the tracked Roby adds another dimension to the choice, empowering OTs to specify a solution that meets the client and care-givers’ personal preferences and perceptions in terms of fluidity of movement, stability and operation of the technology.”
You can find full details of the Roby here:
https://www.aatgb.com/t09-roby-stairclimber/
Details of our range of stairclimbers are available here:
https://www.aatgb.com/mobility-stairclimbers/
where free no obligation assessments of AAT’s entire range of support solutions can also be booked.
A piece of mobility equipment is so transforming life for severely disabled Daniel that he’s now even able to enjoy family holidays!
The Bostock family is in receipt of a Sella stairclimber(https://www.aatgb.com/paediatric-powered-mobility-stairclimbers/), issued to them from stock in equipment stores and accessorised to his specific needs. It means that four years old Daniel, who requires round-the-clock care, can now be easily transferred between levels of the family home- and beyond- even on a family holiday to the mountains of Scotland, and irrespective of which of his care team is with him.
“The stairclimber’s a brilliant bit of equipment. It’s meant we can make it a really full life for Daniel,” explained mother Jodie.
“On a practical level, because of his health issues Daniel requires 24-hour care. The stairclimber is so easy, everyone can use it- whether it’s Daniels’s dad who is 6ft 3ins to his smallest carer who’s only 4ft 11 ins. Crucially, it supports and holds Daniel safely and correctly. It just works for us.”
Brain injured at birth, Daniel requires round-the-clock care support for his condition: he has Cerebral Palsy and a gastrostomy, his back arches, his legs do not bend but his body exerts strong movement and his muscle pattern changes through the day. Big for his age, Daniel had reached the point where it was no longer safe nor practical to carry him up and down stairs.
A new Occupational Therapist to the family was aware of AAT stairclimbers, and that Doncaster Council held some as stock items in equipment stores. Our Technical Director Gareth Brown jointly assessed the family and care team, to determine the suitability of a stairclimber for Daniel and all involved in his care. One of the Authority’s stock AAT S-Max Sella units was re-issued to Daniel, fitted with a tilt-in-space seat to match his specific needs in terms of size and support. We trained Daniel’s whole care team in safe use of the unit as part of the assessment package.
The Medical Device Class 1 rated S-Max Sella is purpose-designed with a compact turning circle to accommodate almost every type of staircase, including bends, and turns, and narrow flights. The battery-operated kinetic machine smoothly powers up and down stairs or steps, accommodating 300 steps from one charge. Integrated anti-tilt means it cannot be tipped over, and automatic braking ensures complete control throughout the step process.
A high balance point means you need little effort to manouevre it. The handle is fully adjustable to whatever height is comfortable for you. Rate of climb can also be set to that comfortable for operator and passenger.
When not in use, you can fold the Sella compactly away, minimising disruption and interference with daily living for the household.
The S-Max Sella is part of AAT’s range of stairclimbers that can be uniquely accessorised to each client’s needs. This can be via the revolutionary Universal Back or individual components to deliver the exact postural support and security needed. This diversity of range has established AAT as the UK’s #1 national provider of stairclimbers, with thousands in regular use in almost every local authority in Britain.AAT is further unique among stairclimber provision in offering free, no obligation assessment, training and servicing of its equipment. Assessments can be booked by visiting http://127.0.0.1/aatgb.com.new/s-max-sella/
With the variety of home design, one of the constant problems faced by Occupational Therapist sis how to prescribe solutions that enable a client to still access all levels of their home.
The quick answer is, suggests AAT GB, provision of one of its Class 1 medical device classified Mobility Stairclimbers. The German-engineered battery-powered kinematic unit can either incorporate a seat, replicating the support of a wheelchair, or be attached to most common types of wheelchair. The unit smoothly powers up and down stairs, safely transferring the patient from one level to another. It is robust enough to carry even the morbidly obese, yet designed to facilitate operation by the slightest of carers, When not required, it folds compactly away.
With the addition of the Universal Back accessory, the one combination can meet most client needs, regardless of age or size of the client. And the need- whether short or long term, can be met easily, usually from stores, and re-issued.
“So often, we are called in as a last resort, when we could be the first thought. Significant time and effort has already been spent trying to go with the conventional solution of a stairlift or through-floor lift, but the orientation or size of the interior makes it impractical,” observes AAT Sales Director Peter Wingrave. “Our stairclimbers have been purpose-designed to be able to accommodate most staircases- even those with restricted width or turns. They do not require structural alterations to the home, they do not need furniture to be relocated, the interior to be repurposed, nor do they impinge on other members of the household’s ability to use the stairs.
“That all has a big impact on a physical and mental wellbeing of a client- and their family- in their daily life. Whether it’s a short-term fix whilst a major adaptation is undertaken, or to resolve a long-term problem, a stairclimber is the obvious answer to minimise risk in transfer between floors without disruption.”
“We’ve already had a number of Occupational Therapists approach us, needing a solution to help a patient with reduced mobility return home. A stairclimber enables them to still access their home without the major disruption to rooms and other resident family members- and possible cost- of having to move existing, or buy specialist, furniture. I see this as a significant solution in the ongoing battle with bed blocking in hospitals”
AAT’s nationwide team of specialists can work alongside the Occupational Therapist to assess- free of charge- the suitability of a stairclimber for the property, the patient, and their carer(s). AAT can manage the whole process, from specification of any additional accessories if needed, supply of the equipment, and training of the carer who will operate the climber, ensuring a correct and safe assessment.
Adds Peter Wingrave, “It’s about best value, not just in monetary terms but mental health & wellbeing too, for everyone involved. A stairclimber minimises the impact on every level.”
The Care Act 2014 has become one of the most crucial legal considerations for Occupational Therapists. No-one has yet addressed how provision of mobility equipment- specifically stairclimbers- provide a simple, effective, best-value solution to meeting several of the Act’s key areas.
Section 1 of the Act states there is a duty to promote the wellbeing of the individual, including personal dignity and domestic/ family relationships. Section 2 places a general duty to provide/ arrange resources to prevent, delay or reduce the need for care and support. Indeed, RCOT’s own guidance states “such prevention, delay or reduction in need is not only good for people – but hopefully can also save the local authority money. Spend a pound on prevention and save ten on what would otherwise have been eligible, greater needs.”
Without wishing to trivialise the situation, a stairclimber ticks many of the boxes, not just for the recipient, but the Occupational Therapist, care givers and other household/family members- areas that are often not even thought about!
A stairclimber maintains the user’s dignity and wellbeing. If prescribed to address a change in physical or mental ability, or to help them go home after a stay in hospital, it empowers them to remain in their own home and be able to use their own bedroom and bathroom without the indignity of having their bed moved downstairs into the living accommodation and often having to use a commode. For growing children with special needs, it restores safety to the process of going up and down stairs, usually historically undertaken by their care-giver carrying them.
A stairclimber goes beyond a flight of stairs. It can just as easily accommodate a couple of steps, in and out of the home or other building. Thus it opens the doors to the ability to participate in the wider community. It means the family as a whole can still use all rooms within the home without limitation. It means the family as a whole can go out for a meal, a day trip, a holiday without worrying about level access.
The key to effective stairclimber prescription is assessment- of the passenger, the home environment and the operator. The passenger and operator both need to feel happy using the equipment. Professional assessment will determine any accessories required to ensure the passenger is safely and correctly supported. Professional training ensures the care givers are fully equipped to use the stairclimber, safely supporting their charge and feeling in complete control of the transfer process. It will also address the correct configuration for the property: the AAT range of stairclimbers can accommodate almost every common design of staircases, including narrow flights, turns and half-landings.
Many homes cannot be structurally altered to accommodate a stairlift or through-floor lift. Many people in need of an adaptation do not want the stress nor disruption of such an alteration to their home. A stairclimber requires no physical adjustment to the house. It does not require (although it can be provided via) Disabled Facilities Grant funding, so can be supplied time-efficiently. Often it can be provided from equipment stores, requiring no purchase procedure, thus giving the Local Authority best value via re-issue and preventing the need for – and cost of- even a short-term admission to a care or nursing home. AAT fully services each unit before re-issue, assesses each user and trains each care giver as part of the offering.
Find out more and book your no obligation assessment: http://127.0.0.1/aatgb.com.new/universal-back/
A piece of equipment lent to try a decade ago is still in daily use by one South Tyneside family, and deemed an “essential”- to the extent it is about to move home with the family for the third time.
The piece of equipment in question is one of AAT’s S-Max Sella stairclimbers, used by Paul Wray and his 24 years old daughter April. Born prematurely with Cerebral Palsy, April has never been able to walk and has limited use of her right arm and hand. As a result, Paul has always carried her up and down stairs when she was young, though as April grew this became more and more difficult. The situation was further exacerbated when Paul’s late wife developed cancer some 14 years ago, so he was then carrying both wife and daughter up and down stairs every day.
A new Occupational Therapist to the family suggested a stairclimber and contacted AAT to support in the assessment of the family and their home, to help determine the most appropriate solution. Initially, the Wrays had the stairclimber to try for a week or so to see if it met their needs: said Paul, “It was such a revolution I wouldn’t let them have it back!”
A standard S-Max Sella with padded foot rests was prescribed and purchased through the family’s Occupational Therapy team at the local authority: this gave April the physical support she needed and could accommodate the turning staircase in the family home.
AAT’s S-Max Sella is the only powered stair climbing device that can accommodate almost any design of stairs, however narrow, or however many turns (even spiral staircases). The rechargeable battery-powered unit with integral seat the S-Max Sella steadily, smoothly and safely propels itself up and down a flight- and onward into wherever required. Rate of climb is controlled by the operator, who merely needs to slightly incline and steer the Sella. Little physical effort is needed, meaning even the slightest operator can use the device with appropriate training. When not in use, it folds compactly away. A range of accessories enable it to be tailored to the exact postural support needs of the individual passenger.
More than a decade on, Paul and April still use it daily. It has moved with the family three times, each time managing differing staircase configuration, including turns and flat intermediate landings.
“The stairclimber is essential, I wouldn’t be without it, there’s no other way of safely getting April up and down stairs,” said Paul. “Carrying her up and down stairs was a recipe for disaster. The stairclimber made it safe, for me and April. It’s good for the whole family: when we’re not using it, the S-Max stows away. With three other children too, it can be a very full house at times! It doesn’t visibly impact on the household like a stairlift or through-floor lift would. One of the other beauties is we can pack it into the car for family holidays, widening the choice of where we can stay.
“April is talking about moving into supported accommodation with some friends at some stage in the future, so if she does do so, the stairclimber will mean she can still come home and access all floors without us having a more substantial and disruptive adaptation such as a stairlift that would be redundant if/when April isn’t here.”
Added Gareth Brown, AAT Technical Director, who originally assessed the Wray family, “It’s a common misconception that stairclimbers are only a short term solution, to minimise risk whilst a substantial adaptation is undertaken. The Wray family proves this is not the case. An AAT stairclimber provides a valuable, long-term solution, especially where the physical design or structure of the home makes a stairlift or through-floor lift impractical or unreasonably disruptive.”
AAT’s C-Max U2 ambulance stairclimber is a compact solution that enables even the slightest crew member to safely and smoothly transport patients up to 230kg with reduced mobility. It moves them from upstairs at home or hospital into the ambulance, and then safely to their destination irrespective of stairs encountered en-route.
The battery operated unit is kinetically powered to propel the patient smoothly up and down stairs, including narrow and/or turned flights, and into the ambulance. The in-vehicle CEN-approved rear impact securing system enables the patient to remain in the stairclimber during the journey, minimising transfers.
The equipment enables the process to be executed by just one or two team members, depending on operational protocols. Thus, even the largest obese patient can be moved efficiently, with minimal transfers, without deployment of additional, multiple crews/ personnel. The AAT C-Max U2 thereby reduces loading and strain on staff, significantly cutting work-related injuries and sickness and consequent costs.
Accessories including holding devices for oxygen tanks and a Universal Back to ensure every patient can be supported and secured during the transfer process are available.
When not in use, the C-Max U2 folds to stow compactly away, optimising space.
“The business case for using a stairclimber in ambulances is irrefutable,” says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director. “Numerous Services have already adopted the c-max and are seeing proven, tangible improvements in both customer satisfaction, improved passenger safety during transfer, and staff health & wellbeing. Indeed, users have themselves described our equipment as an ‘uplifting solution to a weighty problem’.”
To demonstrate how the AAT C-Max works, and help potential customers understand the business case, AAT has produced a short video available on YouTube (https://youtu.be/Wt8MBNzbEZA ). Full details are also available on the website http://127.0.0.1/aatgb.com.new/c-max-u2.
Combining one piece of kit with one accessory can revolutionise solutions for transferring up and down stairs, for clients and stores stock claims AAT GB.
The company, known as the stairclimber people, has developed its Universal Back in conjunction with Occupational Therapists, to make prescription as simple as possible.
Almost every Local Authority in the UK already has at least one AAT S-Max in stores stock. The addition of the Back accessory extends its ease of prescription, offering optimal variation of support and harnessing. Thus the requirements of almost every client who needs assistance to transfer up and down stairs, can be met from just one piece of equipment.
Class 1 medical device classified, AAT’s S-Max battery-powered kinematic unit can either incorporate a seat, replicating the support of a wheelchair, or be attached to most common types of wheelchair. The unit smoothly powers up and down stairs, safely transferring the patient from one level to another- and onward to destination.
It can adjust to carry a child or morbidly obese adult. It requires minimal effort to operate and steer so can be operated by the slightest carer. Its minimal turning circle means it can accommodate most flights of stairs, even ones with turns or twists. It requires no structural alteration to the home, nor installation- just a little operator training which AAT provides as part of the assessment/ re-issue process.
When not required, it folds compactly away. Each charge of the battery will deliver up to 300 steps.
“It’s a paradigm shift in the way OTs can resolve limitations for clients in transferring between levels,” asserts Peter Wingrave, Director at AAT GB. “It improves client’s daily life, and thereby improves their mental wellbeing. It further reinforces our stairclimber suitability for purpose, making it the ‘go to’ option, without the disruption to structure or family life inherent with alternative multi-storey transfer equipment.
AAT’s nationwide team of specialists can work alongside the Occupational Therapist to assess- free of charge- the suitability of an S-Max for the property, the patient, and their carer(s). AAT can manage the whole process, from supply of the equipment, and training of the carer who will operate the climber, ensuring a correct and safe solution.
To arrange a free assessment, contact AAT via LiveChat on the website www.aatgb.com, fill in the form on the website, email sales@aatgb.com or telephone 01978 821875.
