Latest figures allege that 1.5million people are not receiving the care they need with day-to-day life(Age UK).
An adjustment to traditional thinking, of how money is spent, could alleviate the situation, by using- where appropriate- equipment in place of people. Installation of Closomat assistive technology, be it a toilet lifter and/or wash and dry WC, is proven to reduce or even eliminate the need for care visits.
“It is habit to organise care workers to deliver services such as helping someone go to the toilet. Providing a suitable WC adaptation empowers the person to retain their independence, and releases the care workers for other duties, where assistive technology is not appropriate,” asserts Robin Tuffley, Closomat marketing manager. “Of course we would say that, but the fact cannot be denied that it makes good financial sense.”
He adds, “Providing an independent living aid- even something as advanced as a toilet lifter or wash and dry toilet- costs just 25% of the cost of providing a person- or people- to do the same task. And it delivers ongoing savings, as the equipment is a one-off cost whereas provision of care workers is an ongoing outlay. We all know social care budgets are under pressure. Numerous studies across the country have proved time and again that best value is achieved by improving the fit between the person and their environment, by employing good outcome management.”
Accessorise to meet each person’s need
Closomat’s Palma Vita is unique in that it is the only wash and dry toilet that can be accessorised to accommodate people’s changing needs. So, for example, if someone’s manual dexterity deteriorates so they can no longer push a button or flush mechanism, alternative operating mechanisms can be retrofitted to empower them to continue to use it. No other wash and dry toilet in the UK has that capability. Thus, the reduced need for care intervention continues to benefit for years.
