Budgets allocated to accommodating the less able can achieve more by a
lateral approach to optimizing resources.
Total Hygiene maintains social housing providers can enhance the effectiveness of DFGs and home help budgets, and simultaneously improve conditions for other tenants, by installing a shower toilet, such as the Clos-O-Mat Palma, in a home. The unit looks like, and is no bigger than, a conventional WC but provides unique simultaneous douching and washing, which enables the user to toilet and cleanse without the need to reach and wipe, and to clean without assistance and toilet paper. It therefore improves dignity for the less able, and improves hygiene for the able.
Explains Mark Sadler, Total Hygiene Sales & Marketing Manager, “Statistics show 1 in 6 people in the UK have a limiting long term illness. In 2004, 3.4million hours were spent on home help- including basics such as assisting people in toileting, and any Council will acknowledge that its home help requirement is increasing significantly. A proportion of that demand can be released for allocation in other ways by the installation of a shower toilet in the home. The cost can be more than covered by a DFG: that in itself optimizes resources, but there are other benefits…..
“Statistics show that as a nation obesity is becoming an issue. Figures also predict that by 2020 over half the UK population will be over 50, and facing problems of ageing- reduced mobility, dexterity. All these health factors impact on one’s ability to toilet unaided. Inevitably many of those will live in social housing, so there is a proven, ongoing requirement for facilities within homes that provide effective solutions with minimum impact on budgets.
“There is also the priceless, intangible benefit of the positive impact on people’s dignity and outlook on life, as they can undertake something very personal with minimal or no assistance. Furthermore, a shower toilet can be used by anyone, regardless of mobility and dexterity, so improves hygiene even for the able-bodied!”
The only automatic shower toilet developed specifically for disabled people, the Clos-O-Mat Palma is operated by a simple press of the flush pad by hand, elbow or body pressure, or by a remote control hand switch option. The washing and drying process can be triggered without the handle having to remain depressed if required, making it easily useable by all, regardless of manual dexterity. If necessary, an additional push at any time can repeat the drying cycle. The functions can be stopped at any time simply by standing up. A range of accessories, including toilet lifts and supports, means the unit can be tailored to individual requirement, to minimize or eliminate the need for help when toileting. The Palma is also WRAS approved, enabling connection to the UK mains water supply: the only complete automatic WC/shower toilet that has this certification.
Total Hygiene provides a comprehensive sales, installation and after sales package, and offers a site survey facility to assess and advise on the most appropriate disabled toilet solutions for each location- be it simple provision of grab rails through to a complete Palma toilet.