JUNE 2008 - NEW FORCE IN ENABLING INCLUSIVITY
A new initiative to facilitate enabling of accessibility and independence for the less able is being launched in Ireland.
Total Hygiene, manufacturer of the top-selling Clos-o-Mat range of toileting aids to restore dignity, privacy and independence, is behind the initiative, to highlight the tools and expertise available to not only assist compliance with disability/ equality legislation, but to help less able individuals and their carers lead as normal as possible a life.
Spearheading the endeavour is 37 years-old Andrew Smyth of Belfast, Total Hygiene sales manager for Ireland. He explains, “Legislative changes towards inclusivity and increasing access to the internet are making everyone more aware of the services and products that can help us all, regardless of ability, achieve the same level of dignity and independence. Statistics show there are increasing numbers of people with afflictions that affect their lives- be it issues such as general ageing with increased incidence of arthritis or incontinence, through diabetes and obesity to specific diseases such as Motor Neuron Disease. We are ALL as individuals entitled to expect decent levels of dignity, so it is vital people are not only made aware of the options available, but given access to those.”
Andrew will be working closely with health professionals to advise on toileting
solutions, whether in an individual’s home, nursing or care home, hospital
or public venue. He adds, “Total Hygiene has over 30 years’ experience in the
field, and appreciates that no two people and their situation are the same.
That expertise can be applied to ensure the most appropriate solution within
budgetary and space constraints is designed and installed.”
The grounds of the luxury Harveys Point Country Hotel, on the shores of Lough
Eske and in the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains, demonstrate the benefits
of Total Hygiene’s approach. Hotel owners Deidre and Marc Gysling and Marc’s
brother Jody have their own homes within the estate. Into the latter’s has
been installed a Clos-o-Mat Palma automatic shower toilet, which, although
no bigger than a conventional WC, includes washing and drying facilities.
Explained Marc, “Jody is a hefty man but like all of us he likes a clean bum!.
His size meant it was difficult to reach certain areas of his body. The Clos-o-Mat
automatically washes and dries, so personal hygiene is maintained without having
to contort the body to use toilet paper.”
Robin Tuffley, marketing manager for Total Hygiene, adds, “If people even
think about an automatic shower toilet, they associate it with a significant
physical disability. Jodie proves that is not the case: a Clos-o-Mat can benefit
anyone.”
The Clos-O-Mat Palma automatic bidet toilet combines a conventional WC with
a douche and drying facility, actuated by conventional push-bar flush, or a
pneumatic foot or hand switch. Users toilet as normal, then operate the flush
by hand, elbow or body pressure; the flushing triggers integral warm water
douching, and drying, eliminating the need to wipe clean and ensuring personal
hygiene, dignity and independence is maintained.
The Clos-o-Mat Palma is complemented by the Lima Lift, which combines the
benefits of the Palma with height adjustability, making it suitable for multi-user
environments. The range also includes height adjustable hand basins, grab rails,
changing tables and Apreshower body driers.
Total Hygiene provides a comprehensive sales, installation and after sales package,
and offers a range of options to enable tailoring of each unit to individual
requirements.
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