Chilli Bean, from AAT, transforms domestic paediatric seating.
At home, quick and easy remouldability means the child’s comfort is achieved 24 hours a day.
Rather than using a fixed plastic mould, Chilli Bean uses vacuum technology to form, fix and adjust the bean bag into the required shape.
We fully train the care giver(s) in the re-shaping process, so they can quickly execute any re-moulding or minute adjustment. Mum, dad can do it at home, as soon as the child needs.
Thus their child’s comfort and correct support is constant. There is no delay waiting for re-assessment, re-measuring and a new mould to be manufactured and delivered with its associated additional cost.
Chilli Bean works by attaching a hand pump or the whisper-quiet electric pump to the bean bag to extract the air between the beans, fixing them into the exact shape required.
Pommels or lateral wings can be created and the firmness/ rigidity set to the child’s comfort whilst achieving the security and stabilisation needed.
Chilli Bean delivers mm-precise support and comfort, without pressure points, all the time, every time- 24 hours a day.
Chilli Bean’s neoprene surface provides sensory stimulation and is wipe clean. It’s also easy to place additional sensory devices below to provide vibration or sound.
“Chilli Bean is a revolution in postural support systems. The infinite, at home variability of Chilli Bean makes it an appropriate, reasonable and best value proposition for any healthcare professional needing postural seating for clients with physical or mental disabilities.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
“What works for Fred one day may not be suitable the next. The Chilli Bean is perfect: we’re able ourselves to finitely adjust the contouring and firmness of the seat to make Fred properly supported. It’s the first time we’re chilled about his comfort, we know with the Chilli Bean it’s easy to make even tiny alterations whenever he needs.”
mum Jane
Find our more: https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/
Announcing a new service, that assures constant, pressure-free comfort and postural support and correct alignment, 24/7: bespoke cushions.
The service builds on our specialised manufacturing capability, which already produces standard cushions in shapes from a thin arm support to a full-sized mattress.
We can cost-effectively produce our unique Stabilo vacuum posture cushions, in any shape or size, to your individual order, should none of the standard cushions quite meet the client’s specific posture support/correction/alignment issues.
The nature of Stabilo construction- from advanced neoprene- coupled with the vacuum technology, means its cushions can be formed exactly as needed- even bent, curved- and the precise contours for each client maintained.
The vacuum technology extracts the air from the cushion, precisely moulding and fixing the exact configuration of the posture support without any pressure points. Even the degree of firmness can be minutely set.
Because of the way the shape is fixed, there is no need for the frequent re-plumping inevitable with conventional cushions. The vacuum technology holds the shape for weeks at a time.
Should any adjustment be needed to maintain comfort, this can be executed and controlled by the carer/care team.
There is no additional cost if/when re-shaping is needed, just a few seconds of time.
Further, the advanced neoprene material contains no latex, is non-combustible and breathable. It can be wiped clean.
The custom order facility is already being utilised. An OT needed a means of making a client comfortable who had little/no ability to hold their head up, so their chin was on their chest. Working with the OT, AAT designed and produced a C-shaped Stabilo cushion, that can be easily put in position and removed, whilst delivering comfort and postural support.
"Every person, and how their illness or impairment affects them, is unique. “Comfort is fundamental to their ability to cope with daily life. It impacts on their- and their carer(s)’ physical and emotional health & wellbeing. Now, with our bespoke service, Occupational Therapists, physiotherapists have the ability to deliver that comfort, cost-effectively.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
Full details of the Stabilo concept and how it works, and the opportunity to arrange a free, no obligation assessment, can be found on AAT’s website @ https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/.
There is an answer to the problem: AAT’s Grande infinitely remouldable posture cushion.
In essence a mattress-sized beanbag, unlike alternative fixed-mould systems, Grande can be quickly and easily formed at home, by the care giver(1).
You can adjust the shape as little or much as needed, as often as needed, depending on the activity- whether using a smart tablet through to physiotherapy.
You can form Grande to create abduction and adduction wedges.
The child is correctly and comfortably positioned in every position, without pressure points, from upright to prone and everything inbetween.
Grande delivers constant support and stability, even during extension or spasm.
You can even fold Grande to create a chair on the floor, a seat on the settee, optimising inclusion in daily life.
As it's manufactured from neoprene, you can wipe Grande clean. Its construction also enables transference of sound and vibration, providing sensory stimulation.
Grande is also light enough for you to move it from room to room.
The combination of Grande’s benefits means the child is able to enjoy time out of their wheelchair as part of a 24-hour care programme. Anecdotal evidence reports reduced levels of fatigue, reduced levels of frustration and improved range of movement.
“For children requiring postural management, Grande can be an essential answer to many seating problems, because of its diversity of use, high degree of musculoskeletal support and ease of adjustment,” says Peter Wingrave AAT Director.
Find out more about AAT’s Grande vacuum posture cushions here: https://www.aatgb.com/grande/
or the complete range here: https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/
(1) subject to appropriate training
Key is your child’s ability to relax. That comes down to their seating, particularly an alternative to the rigidity, structure and confines of their wheelchair.
A unique concept, vacuum posture cushion seating- Chilli Bean- delivers a raft of benefits. The concept is based around a mouldable seat, a bean bag.
The application of vacuum technology enables the shape of the seat to be precisely and minutely fixed for your child. Once the required moulding is created, a pump removes the air between the beans, in effect locking them into position.
What makes it unique is that the shaping can be infinitely adjusted- at home, by you and the care team. No need to wait for re-assessment, new moulds to be made…your child’s comfort is continued and continuous. So the mould can be finitely adjusted according to daily requirements and/or as your child grows.
The bean bag design means the seat moulds around your child. They are sat in it rather than on it. It hugs them. This imparts spatial awareness and a feeling of security. This soothes anxiety and encourages social interaction.
Your child is comfortable, which helps reduce involuntary spasm, hypertension, extension restlessness, agitation, spasticity, dystonia. Comfort aids relaxation.
As you can precisely mould the seat to your child, you can ensure correct joint alignment. This has positive outcomes for secondary contractures, joint trauma and fatigue.
Because the seat can be precisely contoured to your child, and adjusted quickly and easily, it reduces the risk of pressure sores.
The construction also means it can transmit vibration. Pop a sound box underneath, and the cushion becomes a sensory aid. The choice of music and rhythm can influence your child’s activity and mood.
Made from an advanced neoprene, the cushion is breathable and wipeable, helping ensure continued comfort.
Jodie Bostock is one mum who has seen the benefits.
Her son Daniel was brain injured at birth. He 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.
The family’s OT suggested a Chilli Bean vacuum mouldable positioning system.
“It’s an amazing piece of kit. It’s the one piece of equipment Daniel has that really added value to his and our lives,” comments Daniels’ mum Jodie.
“It has had such a positive impact on the whole family, it gives us such freedom. We know Daniel is correctly and safely supported without restraint, we can adjust it ourselves as he needs. Because it’s basically a lightweight bean bag, we can move it round the house wherever we need, even into the garden. We can even have family movie nights: his brother will sit on the floor next to Daniel.”
And those all make your life better, and family life better.
Find out more here:https://www.aatgb.com/chilli-bean/
Teenager George Merry has quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. He struggles to sit unaided and tends to stretch and extend his body. His family have always found it difficult to ensure he is seated correctly and comfortably unless he is in his wheelchair.
Discovering an innovative foam positioning system- AAT’s Gravity Chair- has changed that.
Indeed, mum Karen and George’s siblings made use of the Gravity Chair when George wasn’t using it!
The Gravity Chair looks like a gaming chair but is purpose-designed to support people with complex motor and sensory issues, learning difficulties, autism, ADHD and more.
The deep, inclined seat provides a low centre of gravity providing a natural, stable and comfortable position.
High arm rests support the elbows forward; this helps reduce muscle tension in the shoulders and enables fine motor control activities. Snug lateral supports help maintain seated symmetry.
The structure of the seat accommodates the occupant’s muscle contortion without risk. It helps ease discomfort from spasm and involuntary movement.
Gravity Chair provides a safe and non-restrictive seating option to ease deformities and contractures. An optional tilt wedge can finitely adjust inclination of the Chair to individual user needs.
Comments Karen: “Because Gravity Chair looks like a gamer chair, my 17 year old would enjoy using it to play his Xbox on! I’ve tried it too: it was more comfortable than I expected and provided good support for my lower back.
“However, of course Gravity Chair does offer a lot more than that.
“George really enjoyed sitting in the chair and was extending himself as much as possible, because he is cheeky like that! The angled wedge that comes with the chair meant we were able to tilt it. This gave George the ability to still extend himself but gave him the space- and stability- to do so.”
Find out more about the Gravity Chair Foam Positioning System, and how to book a free, no obligation assessment by visiting https://www.aatgb.com/gravity-chair/.
New developments are making it easier to deliver those benefits in a domestic setting, without the cost and disruption of a major adaptation.
They are already proven in practice, with care teams reporting improved user experience and condition as a result(2).
And the same developments in equipment bring advantages to the care delivery team too.
Our Aqua Liberty is the first- and only- bathing system for people with impairments that fits any person, any bath.
Its unique design means it can be precisely tailored to each individual, irrespective of physical and/or neurological conditions, stabilising head, trunk and pelvis precisely and protecting limbs and joints.
Thus, the bather is correctly supported during immersion, in comfort. Blood circulation is improved, joints are offloaded, pain is relieved: the bather is more able to relax. Should the bather suffer from spasm or extension, the Aqua Liberty system can protect susceptible joints from injury.
Infinitely adjustable, Aqua Liberty comprises a sectional base with seat, back and side panels which is secured with ‘suckers’ onto the bath precisely where required. Remouldable cushions are attached to the base panels to achieve the exact, comfortable, pressure-free support.
The diversity of cushions and their unique ability to hold their shape yet be easily reformed to exactly fit and support without pressure points enables Aqua Liberty to deliver a comfortable bathing scenario for almost any bather.
After the hydrotherapy session, the system is quick and easy to remove, freeing the bath for other members of the household or residential unit. It folds neatly and compactly away, optimising space within the bathroom- often at a premium.
The quick-drying cushions can be removed from the Aqua Liberty and used to provide postural support as/where needed.
“The aquatic environment has broad rehabilitative potential, extending from the treatment of acute injuries through health maintenance in the face of chronic diseases.(3), to quote Becker,” says Peter Wingrave AAT Director. “Aqua Liberty is a game-changer in enabling the hydrotherapeutic benefits of immersion to be delivered to clients at home, without major cost nor disruption to the living environment.”
In 95+% of client assessments for Aqua Liberty, it has achieved positive results. Further details and videos of the system plus a form to book a free, no obligation assessments can be found @ https://www.aatgb.com/aqua-liberty/.
ENDS
References:
For a disabled child, making sure they are correctly supported All the time can be hard. What works one hour may not for the next 23. Their posture varies as the ADL changes.
Our multi-purpose Stabilo posture support cushions are the first on the market to deliver infinitely variable and adjustable correct posture support.
The cushions' ability to be quickly and easily re-formed as needed, at home, by the care giver, means the child’s comfort- without pressure points- can be achieved 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
We have evolved numerous cushions shapes, that can function individually or combined to achieve the exact correct posture support needed.
They include Comfortable and Comfortable Plus for chairs/ wheelchairs, the Chilli Bean postural seat and mattress-sized Grande.
Based around the concept of a bean bag, the Stabilo cushions can be precisely and uniformly shaped with mm precision.
The carer then simply attaches a pump to remove the air between the ‘beans’ and fix the shape of the cushion.
The process holds the shape for weeks.
As tweaks are required according to the child’s needs at the time, the carer simply allows a little air back into the cushion, re-shapes as required, and refixes the contours with the pump.
Small, velcro-fixed versions mean a single limb can be stabilised during a period of therapy. Large versions replace bed mattresses and can be exactly formed to shape and support the trunk and limbs as needed, even allowing creation of abduction wedges.
The Stabilo’s unique structure means they can also deliver integrated and supplementary sensory stimulation, via the tactile neoprene wipeable surface or by positioning of a smart speaker underneath for vibration and/or sound to transfer through the cushion.
“The concept of Stabilo came from a parent who couldn’t find suitable postural support for their disabled child. The product’s delivery of a solution for the child’s needs is therefore at the centre of every version. The diversity and flexibility of the cushions means they can do almost anything- support a child to join in family time, to achieve a good night’s sleep, or be more adventurous- even flying, canoeing, swimming, bathing or abseiling!”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
Full details, and the opportunity to book a free, no obligation assessment, can be found here:
https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/.
The Cumbria venue, set in 15 acres, aims to show people what they CAN do offering “adventures for all abilities” including abseiling, canoeing and climbing.
Inevitably, that poses challenges for the Bendrigg team in making sure that guests can participate as much as possible, in optimum safety and comfort.
The answer has been AAT’s Stabilo Comfortable Plus and Comfortable Plus Duo infinitely variable vacuum posture cushions.
With its mouldable seat, back, head and lateral supports, the Comfortable Plus Duo cushion can stabilise and support exactly as each guest needs.
Its vacuum technology means it stays in the precise shape, without pressure, and can be quickly and easily re-shaped in seconds by the Bendrigg team.
The Comfortable Plus works the same way, supporting back, head and sides.
The Comfortable Plus and Comfortable Plus Duo are key elements of AAT’s range of vacuum posture cushions, that enable precise, pressure-free posture stabilisation, correction and support. Innovatively, each cushion can be adjusted as needed, at home by the care-giver, at no cost.
Once the user is initially comfortably positioned, a vacuum pump removes internal air to create a semi-permanent support perfectly moulded to the child or adult. The system means comfort can be maintained all the time, without delay, despite daily variations in need, whether a minute adjustment in shape/firmness to a total re-mould.
“The Comfortable Plus/ Duo are invaluable pieces of kit for us. They are massively valuable assets in their ability to transform our guests’ experiences.”
Volunteer Co-Ordinator Kat McCallum
For one young man, the Comfortable Plus Duo seat was shaped enabling him to spend a whole weekend climbing, abseiling and canoeing.
“The support and comfort from the Stabilo was amazing, We thought he would tolerate the harnesses and canoe seat for just moments but he was able to join in the whole session because he was so comfortable. And we didn’t have to worry about pressure sores.”
says the boy's key worker
A little girl who could only tolerate being in her chair usually for a couple of hours before becoming too uncomfortable enjoyed a whole session canoeing using the Stabilo. She enjoyed it so much and was so comfortable she cried when she had to stop.
Further details of the Comfortable Plus range, and other AAT posture cushions, including the ability to Live Chat and book a free, no obligation assessment, can be found here:
https://www.aatgb.com/posture-cushions/.
Find out more about the Bendrigg Trust: https://futurecarecapital.org.uk/latest/number-with-hidden-disabilities-soars
Young Logan has numerous disabilities which affect his digestive, respiratory, nephrology, immunity and neurological systems.
The diversity makes finding equipment to support him difficult, as what alleviates one issue may exacerbate another.
For more than five years, Logan has suffered from chronic sleep difficulties, now diagnosed as a combination of several related breathing disorders, obstructed breathing and sleep apnoeas.
His mother Wendy would have to sit and hold him upright for hours to help his airway, a situation made worse by his low muscle tone.
The prescribed sleep system was complex: with Logan’s hypermobility, low muscle tone and intermittent dystonic episodes, he would simply ‘break free’ from the positioning cushions and restraints. The hook-and-loop straps would wake him and cause sensory overload. No other alternatives were suggested.
With Logan’s independent physiotherapist, the family began researching sleep systems, and discovered our Grande mattress.
Wendy requested our free, no obligation assessment: in the initial demonstration, Logan snuggled down and fell asleep as soon as he was laid onto it.
The family immediately purchased one; we loaned them the demonstration model for Logan’s profiling bed whilst their own was manufactured and delivered.
Made from an advanced breathable and washable neoprene, our Grande mattress is in essence a rectangular bean bag.
Easily precisely moulded to the shape needed, the caregiver can- at home- fix the contours by removing the air inside with an easy to operate electric pump.
This precisely supports the child or adult without pressure points.
Using this process, the Grande can be quickly adjusted or re-shaped as required: Wendy refines Logan’s Grande shape every few days to change his position and dips a corner to create a wall to secure his feeding pump.
“It can be very frustrating for parents as sleep is so very important, especially for children who are medically complex and need their rest to simply give them strength to keep fighting their battles.
"The vicious circle of lack of sleep, extreme tiredness and worsening symptoms is often overlooked and not appreciated. Notwithstanding the huge impact that sleep deprivation has on parent carers, especially those like us whose children require 24/7 care.
“Logan still wakes when he's in pain and we therefore still have some unsettled nights, but his obstructed breathing has significantly improved since using the Grande Mattress.
"The mattress fits into his profiling cot bed and we can still use the profiling without any difficulties. Despite Logan’s sensory difficulties, the pump operation doesn’t cause him any problems.
"The ‘hollowness’ of the Grande allows vibrations and sounds to reverberate through the mattress which Logan founds soothing.
“The Grande can be moulded onto the sofa, or into a chair: it’s a huge bonus when equipment can have a dual purpose.”
mum Wendy
More details, and a quick-fill form to book a free, no obligation demonstration assessment can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/grande/.
Bagel- the simple way for unrestricted support in the water. Makes bath-time safe and fun.
One of the biggest restrictions for anyone with limitations- and their carers- when bathing or participating in aqua therapy is achieving strain-free support in the water.
AAT’s Bagel removes that restriction.
It restores the person’s ability to free float without any risk of head immersion by stabilising and supporting their head above the water without restricting their body.
Utilising innovative vacuum technology, you can precisely and infinitely mould the core cushion to each user. Hook and loop straps secure the cushion in place, thereby positioning the buoyancy on the chest and torso. This relieves pressure on the neck and head, ensuring safe, proper stability and relaxation whilst immersed in the water.
As a result, it enables all areas of the user’s body to be easily reached and cleaned during bathing, and allows full movement and thus flotation benefits of hydrotherapy to be enjoyed.
"Bagel supports all involved to get the most out of basic ADLs such as bathing or aquatherapy.
It ensures the client receives the full benefit of their hydrotherapy or bath experience, by having the safety and freedom to free-float.
“As importantly, it relies the carer of the physical strain of having to support them- particularly an issue in bathing, when you’re trying to balance properly supporting the head above the water, over the side of the bath, and perform the hygiene routine.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
Find out more and book a free, no obligation assessment here:https://www.aatgb.com/bagel/
Bagel is just one element of AAT’s innovative support solutions to help with water-based scenarios. Details of the full range of options are available here: https://www.aatgb.com/bathing-solutions/
