Case study: Bathing support system helps resident feel more comfortable and relaxed

Unique equipment is helping staff at a Mencap residential unit make one of their residents more comfortable and relaxed in her daily needs.

The client has complex mental and physical disabilities. Her disabilities mean she has to bathe rather than shower. Submersion in the bath – aqua therapy – is also an essential part of her physical and mental treatment.

The previous issue for her carers has been how to safely and comfortably support her in the bath. Having a suitable solution would optimise her ability to relax and obtain the full benefits of aqua therapy, as well as ensure her hygiene. However, any systems involved rigid mechanical restraints, which she would resist, or they would have to remain fixed in the bath, impeding use by the other residents.

Her occupational therapist (OT) called AAT to support her in finding a way to help both her and her carers. The result has been the prescription of an AAT Aqua Liberty bathing support system.

Aqua Liberty is the only vacuum support cushion system that fits any bath and any user. It is also unique in being developed in the UK in partnership with disabled people and OTs.

The lightweight adjustable system comprises a central, flexible backpiece that fits any bath. It is quick and easy to secure into position and to remove. Any of a range of “mix and match” vacuum posture cushions is then easily attached to the backpiece to provide infinitely re-mouldable, adjustable, and pressure-free support for the bather.

To accommodate the woman’s requirements, AAT advised the prescription of its Comfortable Plus Duo cushion. Combining a corset and a seat in one, the Comfortable Plus Duo delivers correct torso and pelvis positioning, stabilising her vertically and laterally, and holding her in place without pressure. By making use of vacuum technology, the cushion can be precisely altered by her carers to deliver optimal comfort as needed.

Whereas the resident uses the Comfortable Plus Duo cushion only for the bath, it (and the range of vacuum posture cushions that interface with the Aqua Liberty system) can be dried and used in the wider environment to provide appropriate postural support on seats, wheelchairs, car seats, etc.

Jane Turton, the home’s manager, explained: “Since we’ve been using the Aqua Liberty, this resident actually gets the benefit of her aqua therapy. She is relaxed, and content. Aqua Liberty has been the ideal answer for us as a care team.”

To find out more about the Aqua Liberty system, including the booking of free no-obligation assessments, visit the AAT website.