The solution is re-issue of a stairclimber.
At less than£1500, it often eliminates any need for means testing or the too-often lengthy process of grant funding.
It’s a solution that can be delivered within days, not the weeks- or even months- of alternative options. It quickly, and safely, empowers clients to live life more, without any material or physical disruption to the home.
North Yorkshire County Council is just one to appreciate the benefit of AAT stairclimbers, with their infinite potential for re-issue.
Pam Backshell lives in a first floor flat, and suffers from arthritis, osteoporosis, sclerosis of the liver and COPD. Her reduced mobilty meant the only way she could get out of the flat, into fresh air and the wider community was by undignified and unhygienic bottom-shuffling down the stairs.
Her daughter Charlotte was worried and wanted to find a better way. Research on the internet and discussions with Pam’s Occupational Therapist led to an answer: a stairclimber. The battery-powered, seated kinematic device smoothly climbs and descends any number of steps to safely carry its passenger- in this case Pam- to and from her flat and beyond. It is steered and controlled by Charlotte or other members of her support network , enabling Pam to enjoy life with dignity.
North Yorkshire County Council already had an AAT S-Max stairclimber in its equipment stock. This has been re-issued to Pam, meaning her mobility has been restored for no extra capital cost to the Authority.
The only outlay has been the re-issue costs of under £1000. This includes the cost of AAT’s professionals to support and assess Pam and her care team to set the stairclimber up correctly and ensure everyone is comfortable with it and safe when using it, to service the unit, and train Charlotte and the care team in safe operation of the stairclimber.
“The stairclimber’s been a real problem-solver. It means so much to us. The stairclimber is so quick and easy to use, it’s just a couple of buttons to operate. It has been a life-saver.: it was so dangerous how we used to get mum out and back home. This way is much more dignified.”
Charlotte Backshell
Easy to use, with an impeccable safety record, the AAT S-Max can evolve with the client as their priorities and needs change. If the S-Max, is accessorised with a Universal Back the kit is perfectly set up to adapt and safely support any user with the flexibility to supports and harnessing as needed without any additional equipment., further optimising re-issue potential.
Find out more about re-issue of stairclimbers here: https://www.aatgb.com/take-steps-to-deliver-adaptations-for-under-1000/
We delighted to report a 30+% growth for 2021/22, up against both the previous year and exceeding pre-Covid levels.
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director, maintains the growth in popularity is due to a number of elements.
Key benefits are the speed with which the core product- the stairclimber- can be put in place to address safe inter-level transfer for people with reduced mobility:
- the quality of product and service
-the added value a stairclimber brings to the assisted living product portfolio available to Occupational Therapists.
- an accepted tool for ambulance crews to quickly and safely transfer patients.
-speed of delivery of an adaptation that is low cost but yields big results
Further, the company’s highly skilled managers support OTs in expediating assessments, and managing delivery of the outcome, including setting up the stairclimber to exactly support each user as necessary, training the care giver and servicing the unit.
“In the early days 20 years ago, stairclimbers were used relatively infrequently by Occupational Therapists in mobility situations. Now OTs are appreciating the potential for speed of delivery, cost, scope and safety compared to other solutions, especially with literally thousands in service and/or available via Equipment Stores, and the quality of service delivered by our team
“In the constant battle of cost and speed of delivery, we now enjoy a position where a large proportion of cases with which we are involved are resolved for under £1000. This is being achieved by capitalising on the opportunity to re-issue, and using the array of harnessing and accessories to allow each re-issue to be tailor made for its user, quickly. This also minimises significant risk to clients by cost- efficiently- and within a matter of days- providing a safe, proven means of getting up and down stairs, that will work in almost every appropriate scenario. That combination is just not achievable with any other method of addressing inter-level transfer, and we are grateful for the care community’s appreciation of the value we can bring,” says Director Peter Wingrave
Find out more about the full range of stairclimbers here: https://www.aatgb.com/mobility-stairclimbers/
Torbay Hospital League of Friends has bought two of our C-Max stairclimbers for Torbay & South Devon NHS Trust’s Patient Transport Services.
These will result in an easier, less stressful and more comfortable journey for people who need help getting to and from hospital and healthcare sites for appointments and treatment.
“The new stairclimbers will not only help our team to support people with limited mobility, but more importantly will allow us to be to offer a higher level of service for people across Torbay and South Devon which means the world to me.
“This type of equipment helps our organisation continue to provide quality care to the people of Torbay and South Devon.”
Louis Nicholls, Patient Transport Officer at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
“We can all imagine how difficult it would be to transport a sick or injured person to and from hospital when flights of stairs are involved. We were delighted to be able to help Patient Transport Services to acquire two fantastic bariatric stairclimbers which we know will make the patients journey less stressful and, at the same time, make the job of everyone in patient transport a little bit easier.”
Roy Tuttle, Chairman of the Torbay Hospital League of Friends
The C-Max stairclimbers can each support a person weighing up to 230kg/ 36st, increasing the Services’ current weight lifting capability by more than 30%. The Trust has seen a growing increase in its obesity-related inpatient admissions, with almost 70% of the local population overweight or obese.
Our C-Max is widely used already among UK ambulance crews, being a compact solution that enables even the slightest crew member to safely and smoothly transport patients- single-handedly if protocols allow, and with minimal transfers.
The battery operated unit is kinetically powered to propel the patient smoothly up and down steps and 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.
Thus loading and strain on staff is significantly reduced, cutting work-related injuries and sickness and consequent costs. The equipment also means patients are transported more safely, and with dignity.
We are Britain’s leading provider of stairclimbers, with units already widely used across the country in diverse health and social care environments.
Our range includes climbers for commercial and domestic use, that incorporate integral seats or that can be attached to a wheelchair. We provide complete support for healthcare professionals, including demonstrations, training, seminars, and regular service & maintenance of the kit.
Full details are available on the website: https://www.aatgb.com/mobility-stairclimbers/.
The impact of stairs on people’s ability to be safely discharged from hospital or to continue to live independently in their homes is widely acknowledged.
How to make it easier?
The process can be significantly accelerated with purchase of just one accessory- AAT’s unique Universal Back.
Fitted to any AAT S-Max stairclimber- which is Class 1 Medical device certified and already to hand in local authorities across the country- the Back can quickly ensure any reduced mobility user- young or old, large or small- can be safely transferred between floors.
It means the home and its wider environment- be it a house or flat- is instantly made accessible without any physical alteration.
There is no disruption to family life, whether from moving a bed downstairs for the recovery period nor the physical impact of installing larger, permanent fixtures (stairlift, through-floor lift).
The potential for re-issue of equipment is extended. There is none of the financial or emotional cost of “making good”.
For the recipient the Universal Back’s adjustable height and width supports provide stability and security even if they have asymmetry.
Optional head rests, thoracic supports, thigh supports, chest harness, and posture cushions enable precise specification if needed, without impingement on the ability of the S-Max to be operated.
For the care-giver the S-Max is easy to operate, even by a petite carer moving an obese adult. It can safely transfer any user up to 135kg/ 21st.
The S-Max can accommodate almost any staircase configuration, even half-landings, turns, and narrow flights.
The care-giver has complete control over the speed of climb or descent, and can even pause in mid-transfer if necessary.
A high centre of gravity delivers a feeling a security for the operator.
Lightness of weight makes it easy to handle and manouevre.
The battery pack can power up to 300 steps/charge and is easy to remove and recharge.
When not in use, the stairclimber folds compactly away.
“The S-Max and Universal Back combination means, that the potential risk of stairs to the client can, where appropriate, be safely supported within a matter of days.
"It means only one version needs to be held in stock in equipment stores; intervention is expediated accurately and in a timely fashion. It’s about optimum safety and minimising risk for everyone involved.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
As part of the offering, AAT supports healthcare professionals in assessment of the suitability of the equipment, sets it up for each user, and trains the care-giver in the S-Max’s safe operation. It can service the equipment whether in long-term use by the recipient or when returned to stores before re-issue.
Full details of the S-Max and Universal Back can be found @ https://www.aatgb.com/s-max/, where you can also book a free, no obligation assessment.
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.”
