The female resident has complex mental and physical disabilities.Her disabilities mean she has to bathe rather than shower. The submersion in the bath- aqua therapy- is also an essential part of her physical and mental treatment.
The issue- until now- for her carers has been how to safely and comfortably support her in the bath. This would optimise her ability to relax and obtain the full benefits of the aqua therapy, as well as ensuring her hygiene. However, all the systems hitherto available involved rigid, mechanical restraints, which she would resist, or they would have to remain fixed in the bath, impeding use by the other residents.
Her Occupational Therapist called in AAT to support in finding a way to help both her and her carers. The result has been the prescription of an AAT Aqua Liberty bathing support system.
Aqua Liberty is the only vacuum support cushion system that fits any bath and any user. It is also unique in being developed in the UK in partnership with disabled people and Occupational Therapists.
The lightweight adjustable system comprises a central, flexible backpiece that fits any bath. It is quick and easy to secure into position, and to remove. Any of a range of “mix and match” vacuum posture cushions is then easily attached to the backpiece, to provide infinitely remouldable, adjustable pressure-free support for the bather.
To accommodate the woman’s requirements, AAT advised the prescription of its Comfortable Plus Duo cushion.
Combining a corset and and seat in one, the Comfortable Plus Duo delivers correct torso and pelvis positioning, stabilising her vertically and laterally, holding her in place without pressure. By making use of vacuum technology, the cushion can be precisely altered by her carers to deliver optimal comfort as needed.
Whereas the resident uses the Comfortable Plus Duo cushion only for the bath, it- and the range of vacuum posture cushions that interface with the Aqua Liberty system- can be dried and used in the wider environment, to provide appropriate postural support on seats, wheelchairs, car seats etc.
“Since we’ve been using the Aqua Liberty, this resident actually gets the benefit of her aqua therapy. She is relaxed, and content. Aqua Liberty has been the ideal answer for us as a care team.
Jane Turton, home manager
To find out more about the Aqua Liberty system, including booking of free no obligation assessments, visit https://www.aatgb.com/aqua-liberty/. You can also arrange a free trial of the system.
Find out more about Mencap's work here: https://www.mencap.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImoqXutfphgMVYoBQBh2chwC1EAAYASAAEgKCb_D_BwE
Aqua Liberty plugs the gap in enjoyable, supported bathing.
It is the first, and only, bath system that comfortably enables the bather to be properly and safely supported in the bath with minimal physical intervention from a carer.
It means the bather can relax and enjoy the hygienic and therapeutic benefits of being immersed in water. It is the only system of its kind that can accommodate any bath and any user.
Aqua Liberty precisely forms to the bather irrespective of physical and/or neurological conditions. Thus it stabilises head, trunk and pelvis precisely and individually, and supporting them in the water.
It combines our innovative vacuum posture cushion and a non-slip mounting system.
Our posture cushions can be precisely, infinitely moulded to perfectly and comfortably support the occupant without pressure points or rigid structures. The Aqua Liberty base is secured into place with integrated suction cups, so can be easily removed for other members of the household to use the bath.
Using the Aqua Liberty system (https://www.aatgb.com/aqua-liberty/), the bather’s dignity, safety and wellbeing is improved.
Intervention from care staff to support is minimised or eliminated. This enhances staff health and safety, reducing or removing any need to lean over the bath to weight-bear. It also means any involvement in the bathing process is made easier and safer. Carers stay drier during the bathing process.
The system does more than just support in the bath. It is multi-purpose. The advanced neoprene covering of the cushions provides further sensory positive stimulation, whilst being waterproof, and wipe clean to COVID-safe standards.
After use in the bath, the cushions can be detached and air-dry quickly, enabling their use to deliver postural support wherever else may be required.
“We strongly believe Aqua Liberty is a game changer! We have a reputation for being the UK’s leader in innovative support for people with special needs, and Aqua Liberty is reinforces that heritage. It brings comfort, and independent stability to the bather, so they can truly relax and enjoy the experience. It removes the physical effort and contortion for carers in supporting their loved one in the bath.
"Bathtime becomes a pleasurable experience for everyone again!”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
“Aqua Liberty was recommended to us for a specific resident by her Occupational Therapist. Since we’ve been using it, that resident actually gets the benefit of her aqua therapy. She is relaxed, and content.
“Aqua Liberty has been the ideal answer for us as a care team. It is quick and easy to fit into the bath, and remove. It stows away compactly too. That is really helpful in a bathroom that is used by other people, and in a space that already includes a raft of assistive equipment. We still have room to move.”
Jane Turton, manager, Mencap Doncaster residential unit
We are so confident of the value the British conceived, designed and developed Aqua Liberty brings, we are offering free assessment and free trail of the system. This can be arranged by telephoning 01978 821875 emailing sales@aatgb.com, or online: https://www.aatgb.com/aqua-liberty/
