The lightweight adjustable system comprises a central, flexible backpiece and infinitely adjustable full torso cushion, that fit any bath and any user.
It's quick and easy to secure the base into position, and to remove.
You can easily attach the cushion to the backpiece and mould to the precise requirements of the one you care for. The cushion holds its shape and supports them correctly and comfortably whilst they bathe without your intervention.
Because the cushion is separate and its form infinitely adjustable at home, postural support and comfort is not confined to the bath.
Aqua Liberty's cushion can be used almost anywhere that one sits! In a wheelchair, chair, settee, canoe, sailing boat, aeroplane….
No other bathing support system offers that versatility.
The versatility in terms of postural support and correction from head to pelvis also means less specialist equipment is needed to be prescribed or purchased: just one cushion can be used for numerous activities/occupations.
Thus it delivers best value.
“Looking after someone who is disabled usually means lots of different pieces of equipment, lots of cost,” says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.
“Aqua Liberty breaks the mould: one, versatile piece of equipment that serves an array of functions- great value for money.”
We are so confident in Aqua Liberty that we offer a free, no obligation assessment. Book now here: https://www.aatgb.com/aqua-liberty/.
Born 10 weeks prematurely, India Harvey has Cerebral Palsy, impacting her mental and physical capabilities.
Doctors told mum Denise: “you’ve just got to give her the best life you can”.
Denise has taken that to heart, thoroughly looking into all the equipment options available, working closely with India’s Occupational Therapist.
Denise’s research led her to AAT and ultimately our Chilli Bean infinitely remouldable bean seat.
Funded by Newlife, the charity for disabled children, a Chilli Bean has been purchased for India, replacing her existing fixed mould PPod positioning support chair.
Unlike fixed mould seating, the family can infinitely re-shape our Chilli Bean, at home.
Chilli Bean uses innovative vacuum technology, whereby the air between the beans is removed to whatever degree is required to achieve the desired shape and level of firmness and rigidity.
The process allows exact moulding of the seat to form lateral support, pommels etc to correctly support India without pressure points and the exact degree of firmness India is comfortable with.
India’s comfort and support is therefore a constant.
India’s quality of life has significantly improved.
Denise can move the Chilli Bean wherever she needs, for India to be sat and supported without the restriction of a harness.
Mum and daughter can sit and read a book together.
What's more, Chilli Bean is breathable and wipeable.
“That intimate time is so special, and means so much,” says Denise. “We couldn’t achieve that flexibility with the PPod. India prefers the Chilli Bean too because we can adjust the firmness just right for her: she doesn’t like a hard seat.
"It’s so quick and easy to adjust the Chilli Bean, and the pump is small and compact- we don’t have to stow away lots of ancillaries.
“I originally asked AAT about its Gravity Chair foam positioning seat, but once we sat India in it, we didn’t think it supported her properly. AAT’s Dan suggested Chilli Bean as we could exactly adjust it ourselves to India: it’s proved to be perfect!”
Further details about Chilli Bean can be found here https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
Click the link to learn more including the ability to book a FREE, NO OBLIGATION demo/assessment.
Chilli Bean is just one in our range of infinitely adjustable posture cushions that cover almost every conceivable activity- not only daily things including sitting, sleeping, bathing, but the wonderful too!
Check out the gallery sections here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/
More than 700,000 people suffer from pressure sores in the UK, with 180,000 new cases each year. According to the BMJ, 4% of the total NHS budget goes on treating them(2)!
Yet many could be avoided. Using cushions is accepted as one of the most effective ways of preventing and managing them.
But choosing the right cushion is critical.
The Stabilo vacuum posture support cushion removes all the inherent issues of using a conventional cushion.
Its vacuum technology means, once the correct, appropriate shape is formed- which takes a matter of seconds- it holds that shape firmly yet comfortably without pressure points- for days. Carers can easily create the correct form themselves, but, unlike conventional cushions, they do not have to keep re-plumping it.
Stabilo’s innovative neoprene covering does not ruck, providing pressure-free support. It is also breathable and wipes clean.
The array of shapes and sizes means there’s a Stabilo cushion for every scenario, be it a small forearm support through to a full-size mattress.
Stabilo supplier AAT is so confident in the cushion’s ability to play a pivotal role in pressure sore prevention that it is offering a free, no obligation demo/assessment. This can be booked at https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/.
ENDS
(1) https://www.nationalwoundcarestrategy.net/pressure-ulcer/
(2) https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/8/3/e000409
George’s parents, Peter and Karen came across the infinitely variable Grande vacuum posture support cushion.
The husband and wife team run a successful business specialising in photography of children with special needs. They were commissioned by the Grande’s UK supplier, AAT GB, to undertake a shoot of the disability equipment in ‘real-life’ situations.
Says Karen: “It was great for us as parents to get to try out loads of products, some of which we had never heard of before. I do feel that this is a common issue with disability aids and products, there are so many on offer and out there to people, it is a matter of finding them that is the issue.”
As George is unable to sit unaided, Karen and Peter are always looking for ways to properly and correctly support their son so he can sit more freely without the constraint of a wheelchair. The Grande was a perfect solution.
In essence a mattress-sized beanbag, the Grande can be infinitely adjusted and moulded into shape and quickly fixed by removal of the air inside via a pump.
The process can be done by Peter and Karen, at home, whenever required. This ensures a constant, perfect fit, without pressure points.
There is no need for re-assessment, the delay of a new form being ordered nor risk of there being a minute variation in the new shape which makes it uncomfortable/unuseable – as is typical with fixed mould systems.
Lightweight, the Grande can be easily moved around the home to where needed.
Karen adds,” We laid George flat on Grande on his plinth in his recreation room. He was extremely happy and looked very comfortable: It moulded to George’s shape beautifully. And we could then further adjust the Grande on the plinth to allow George to lay on his side comfortably.
“Many a times when George was younger, Peter or I would lift him out of his chair and prop him up on the sofa with cushions for family film time just to have him sat with us on the sofa watching a film. When the Grande was set up on the sofa, George was sat in a lovely upright position looking very comfortable and chilled indeed! More importantly, really happy.
“The Grande is a perfect way to resolve all of those issues we had in the past when wanting George to join us for movie time. We also enjoy family game nights and often sit on the floor around a board, so it would be a great way to have George join in on the floor with the action.
“I really loved the concept, set up and versatile use of the Grande, for George it would be a fantastic piece of equipment which can be used around the house in many different ways for a number of years.”
AAT offers free, no obligation assessments of all its disability aids. The Grande is part of a whole range of vacuum posture cushions to improve sitting, lying, bathing and corrective postural support.
Full details, and an online form to book your assessment, can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/grande/
The funding is part of the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA) grant.
The latest grant Guidance(2) says that the funding CAN be used for mobility equipment that is used by multiple pupils, that is capital equipment that expands access/ provision for children with a wide range of needs.
Seating is proven to have a positive impact on a child’s learning ability: if a child is comfortable, their focus and concentration capability is enhanced.
Our unique Chilli Bean infinitely variable orthopaedic posture seat can be exactly and precisely moulded to correctly support the child.
Unlike alternative bean seats, you can quickly and easily adjust Chilli Bean for individual pupil’s personal requirements, in the school environment. SEND staff can do it themselves- no need to call in specialists, send it away for remoulding.(3).
Chilli Bean's speed of adjustment improves life for SEND children who would otherwise spend almost all day in the constraints of a wheelchair. They can be supported comfortably and correctly.
The infinite variability of Chilli Bean means asymmetrical shapes, pommels etc can all be created within seconds to precisely and comfortably stabilise the child without restraint. Chilli Bean provides support for children with low muscle tone, or high muscle tension.
Lightweight, Chilli Bean can be moved from room to room as needed.
SEND staff can easily accessorise to provide sensory stimulation and relaxation: Chilli Bean's construction can transmit rhythmic vibration.
It is breathable and wipeable.
Explains Peter Wingrave, AAT Director, “The flexibility of Chilli Bean to address numerous scenarios and users makes it a valuable tool in a SEND unit’s seating equipment.
"Numerous specialist SEND facilities up and down the country are already appreciating the value Chilli Bean can bring to improving outcomes for children with physical and/or mental difficulties.
"It creates a calming, stable, comfortable environment encouraging relaxation and focus.”
We're so confident in the relevance of Chilli Bean for SEND environments, we are offering free, no obligation assessment.
This can be booked online here: https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
ENDS
REFERENCES:
(3) With appropriate AAT training
Many SEND units and schools are turning to our unique Gravity Chair postural and sensory seating to provide support. Gravity Chair helps achieve a stable, safe place that makes the child feel secure.
Gravity Chair features a deep, inclined seat providing a low centre of gravity to naturally encourage a stable, non-restrictive seating position.
High arm rests support the elbows forward helping reduce muscle tension in the shoulders and enabling fine motor control activities.
Snug lateral supports help maintain seated symmetry.
The structure of the seat allows muscle contortion to be accommodated without putting the occupant at risk.
The Percy Headley Foundation’s Northern Counties School now has three Gravity Chairs, after trialling one for a pupil with highly complex needs including autism.
Michelle McCafferty, Occupational Therapist, commented, “I am overwhelmed at the success of Gravity Chair. We’re over the moon at the difference the chair has made.”
Clare Mason, Children’s Occupational Therapist @ Sefton Carers Centre/ Alderhey regularly prescribes a Gravity Chair: “When children feel safe, secure and comfortable their muscle tone relaxes, allowing them to focus and enjoy play activities.
"They may still require support, but to engage all children need to be comfortable above everything else.
"Children who require supportive seating spend many hours strapped in functional seats and wheelchairs using harnesses or chest straps.
"Gravity Chair can give them seating away from all that. It is comfortable and uncomplicated to use, provides good postural alignment and helps keep children calm and regulated.”
Gravity Chair is just one of our tools relevant for SEND units and schools. Other equipment includes our range of infinitely remouldable vacuum posture cushions including the unique Chilli Bean seat (https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/).
We are so confident we have an answer to help create a positive, safe learning environment for children with special needs that we are offering free no obligation assessments.
Full detail of AAT’s range, and a quick-fill form to book a free, no obligation assessment, can be found on here: https://www.aatgb.com/gravity-chair/.
ENDS
(1)https://futurecarecapital.org.uk/latest/number-with-hidden-disabilities-soars
Find out more about Percy Hadley here:https://www.percyhedley.org.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20956024933&utm_term=percy%20headley&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3vvi19bphgMVdY1QBh0DMwzdEAAYASAAEgJ06fD_BwE
Bath-time- it’s an everyday activity, not just for hygiene, but for aquatherapy, for relaxation. Then blood circulation is improved, joints are offloaded, pain is relieved. We all know, all too well, that objective is not so easy to achieve, causing stress all round.
Especially so when bathing someone with special, complex needs
Use of innovative vacuum technology, applied to the bean bag concept, can transform bath-time, making it fun and beneficial physically and emotionally.
The vacuum technology removes the air from the “bean bag”, fixing the shape to perfectly support your child in the bath without any uncomfortable creases or pressure points.
Depending on each child’s specific considerations determines which is the most appropriate bean bag solution.
Options include a version that fits like a doughnut over the child’s shoulders (Bagel), and one that is in essence a mouldable seat (Aqua Liberty).
The bagel transfers buoyancy to the child’s chest, thus enabling them to free-float in the water without restriction nor restraint, and without risk of their face turning into the water.
It stabilises the head and neck, leaving limbs free.
It is therefore much easier to wash the child’s whole body, optimising hygiene.
Giving the child the opportunity to float without restriction enables them to move as freely as possible within the bath. Thus you improve their blood circulation, encourage positivity and relaxation and enable exercises.
At the same time, you prevent torsional movements in water, ensuring safety during hydro therapy.
Alternatively, if the child needs stability, support and maybe even joint protection in the bath, the unique Aqua Liberty means they can still reap all the benefits of bathing in comfort.
Focussing around a purpose-designed base (developed in conjunction with Occupational Therapists), the appropriate vacuum posture cushion(s) are secured in place to hold and support the child as they need, in comfort. The system can be used in any bath.
The combination of back, seat and side cushions can be configured for each child, and the cushion(s) moulded to their exact comfort, stabilisation and support.
The back and seat cushions simply hoop and loop attach to the base, providing a stable, free from pressure seating position in the bath; the side panels can be attached wherever needed alongside the inside of the bath to offer protection to joints and limbs, particularly in the event of spasm.
The neoprene surface prevents the child from slipping too.
After bath-time, the system can be easily removed for other member of the household to enjoy the bath. The cushions can be used beyond the bath too- in whatever other seating the child uses.
Karen Merry has used the Aqua Liberty for her teenage son George, who has Cerebral Palsy. She says: “George loves a bath. Until we tried Aqua Liberty, we had to keep George’s sling on the in the bath as he is not able to sit up in the bath without support. Because we can mould it exactly to his shape, he was extremely relaxed and comfortable in it.”
Find out more about our bathing solutions:https://www.aatgb.com/bathing-solutions/
Gravity Chair, the unique foam positioning system that is already proven to achieve a safe, stable environment for severe and complex motor and sensory impairments, is now available in a choice of colours.
Blue, green and pink compliment the standard grey.
We've specifically chosen the colours for their role in positively influencing a child’s emotions, reinforcing feelings of harmony and calm that Gravity Chair delivers via its innovative design, harnessing the natural forces of gravity.
The deep, inclined structure of Gravity Chair naturally “hugs” the child and encourages a stable seating position without any harnessing.
Gravity Chair reduces muscle tension whilst accommodating muscle contortion and spasm.
Our range of accessories enable the seat to be perfectly set up for each child and make it more than “just a chair”. These include wedges, head rests, lateral supports, rockers, abduction pommels and therapy tables, all designed to reduce anxiety and encourage engagement.
Clare Mason, Children’s Occupational Therapist @ Sefton Carers Centre/ Alderhey is just one fan of Gravity Chair. She comments: “When children feel safe, secure and comfortable their muscle tone relaxes, allowing them to focus and enjoy play activities.
"Children who require supportive seating spend many hours strapped in functional seats and wheelchairs using harnesses or chest straps.
"Gravity Chair can give them seating away from all that and is in my experience always positively received by the children and their parents.”
Adds AAT Director Peter Wingrave: “Adding colours into the mix of benefits that Gravity Chair brings further encourages the positive feelings that children experience when using the chair. It adds another dimension to their comfort and relaxation.”
Full details of the Gravity Chair foam positioning system can be found @ https://www.aatgb.com/gravity-chair/.
Unlike alternative (fixed mould) specialist paediatric seating, the precise shape of the Chilli Bean can be adjusted as soon as needed, at home, by parents*.
AAT’s Chilli Bean uses revolutionary vacuum technology.
It means Chilli Bean can be infinitely altered, immediately, to guarantee the child’s continued comfort and correct position.
There is none of the cost, nor delay, of re-assessment, measuring and ordering of a new mould.
The child’s correct, supported posture is maintained consistently and constantly.
By removing the air between the ‘beans’ of the seat, Chilli Bean’s exact form is fixed.
As/when the child needs even a slight adjustment, the parent can quickly and easily allow a little air back into the seat, re-mould as needed- be it a tiny alteration or significant re-shaping- and then fix the new moulding.
Occupational Therapist Rosana Barbosa comments, “Other beanbags need professional casting, which makes it difficult to adjust them once the client’s postural needs change. Chilli Bean can be easily readjusted by anyone trained to do so. I’ve already recommended it to other team members, who have also begun specifying Chilli Bean.”
Adds Peter Wingrave, AAT Director, “With fixed mould seating, each new casting has to be paid for. That means a child is potentially sitting incorrectly and/or uncomfortably for days- or weeks- whilst the funding for the new mould is approved and the new mould is measured, produced and delivered. Chilli Bean has no such ‘hidden’ costs: all it takes to re-mould is a little time.”
Chilli Bean’s purchase price- across the range of sizes- is competitive and comparable with other mould paediatric seating. AAT includes assessment of the child and training of parents as part of the package. Thus there are no additional financial costs as the child grows, their condition and postural needs vary.
Full details of Chilli Bean can be found on AAT’s website @ https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/.
ENDS
*subject to training.
Inevitably children grow, conditions evolve. That means what works one day may not the next, they may need additional or different support for an activity.
We are central to helping meet those needs.
We give Occupational Therapists and parents a single source they can trust to advise, assess and support the child.
We've developed a range of unique holistic solutions work individually or combined to help make daily life better- 24 hours a day.
Our stairclimber can attach to a wheelchair or have an integral seat to make going up and down stairs safe. Our revolutionary Universal Back clip-fits to the unit to correctly support the child as needed and can be easily altered as the child grows.
To ensure optimal comfort in the wheelchair- or anywhere else the child may be sat- our vacuum posture cushions mould precisely as required. And it empowers parents to infinitely vary the shape according to what’s needed.
The diversity of size and shape address every eventuality, from an arm support through to a mattress.
At bath-time, our Aqua Liberty takes the posture cushions to another level, supporting, cushioning in the bath without the constraints of a sling or a carer holding them.
If anxiety, hyperactivity are issues, our Gravity Chair provides a calming environment that is proven to enable the child to engage.
“It’s about putting what each child needs at the heart of what we do. That’s why we offer free, no obligation assessments, so everyone involved is comfortable with what will work, without pressure. We have carefully chosen our products so that there is a synergy between them, covering all aspects of daily activity. As far as possible they evolve with the child, so parents do not have to keep learning how to use new equipment- one less thing to worry about!”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
We have a heritage stretching back over 20 years, working with Occupational Therapists, education and healthcare professionals and parents.
Knowing how difficult daily life can be without the right support, we endeavour to undertake the initial assessment within two weeks and has a nationwide team of assessment support professionals to manage the whole process, from assessment to delivery of the equipment and training in its correct use.
