New evidence points to adaptation savings

“Using this strategic, joined-up approach, a comparatively small capital expenditure can deliver major revenue savings”

Following the Government announcement of an almost doubling of funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant for 2016/17, and increases to the Better Care Fund, Clos-o-Mat says that there is new evidence that a bathroom adaptation can strategically deliver best value.

Bathrooms are the most common home adaptation. At least 3/4million households require some form of toilet adaptation, ranging from changing a seat to provision of an additional or suitable WC.

The company says that an independent care cost calculator shows that something as simple as adding a toilet lift- the toilet equivalent of a riser recliner chair- will pay for itself in less than eight months, compared to providing care support to help someone go to the toilet. It would reduce likelihood of a fall, potentially saving a further £30,000. And the independence and dignity it would deliver would have a positive impact on the recipient’s feeling of wellbeing- a key indicator under Government guidelines.

“Using this strategic, joined-up approach, a comparatively small capital expenditure can deliver major revenue savings,” explains Mark Sadler, sales director at Clos-o-Mat, Britain’s leading manufacturer and provider of disabled toileting solutions.

He added: “A bathroom adaptation requires less financial commitment in the first year, and, unlike care provision, is a ‘one-off’ cost. Research shows bladder & bowel issues are the second most common reason why someone moves from their home to residential care, which is an even greater year on year cost than homecare.

“A bathroom adaptation may be provision of a hoist to facilitate transfer with reduced carer requirement, a toilet lift to eliminate care support to get on and off the WC, or a wash & dry toilet to eliminate care support cleaning after toileting.

“Any or all of those adaptations meet care and support eligibility regulations under the Care Act: they improve wellbeing and independence for user and care, they minimise the effect of the disability or deterioration, address safe moving & handling, and support the user to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.”

To help all involved in the process of care service provision get it right, Clos-o-Mat has produced a guidance paper on domestic bathroom and toilet adaptation. The paper is available for free download from the company’s website.

The website also details additional support, including 2D and 3D CAD blocks, demonstration videos, technical data and Regulatory and legal compliance criteria.

For more information, go to www.clos-o-mat.com