There are times when a bed sensor pad and bed alarm isn't the answer....so what to use?

Customer Service

We talk to our customers every day, and it seems that we hear about new challenges and issues all the time, as we sit and try to problem solve with those customers to help them find the best product to care for their patient.

Sometimes, it's a nursing home looking for a bed alarm and bed sensor pad.  They have someone who has decided that they WILL NOT have a bed sensor pad in their bed.  They can feel it, or hear it, or sometimes just sense it, and they won't have it!

It's a tough challenge.  You have to respect the patient's right to allow or not allow this product in their bed.  But at the same time, they must be kept safe and free from the potential of a fall.

What we can do, is just provide the options.  The customer is the one on the front line.  They might have been told just to 'get a be alarm', but when faced with the upset of their patient, they aren't sure what to do next.

We sometime solve the bed alarm problem by suggesting a wireless system.  With this, there is no alarm noise in the patient's room, and the Carer's can have the pager/alarm with them up to 45 meters from the pads.

But as we say, sometimes, the patient just will not allow the bed alarm in their bed.  So the alternative is either a bedside motion sensor or a floor mat.  The first option is much less expensive, while also being very efficient.  As soon as the patient's feet are over the side of the bed and on the way to the floor, the motion sensor picks up that activity and sends a wireless signal to the bed alarm which is up to 45 meters away.  

We also can offer our floor mats, which we consider the best available.  Made of easily cleaned rubber with non slip surface and bevelled edges for safety. These floor mats are fabulous.  As soon as a few ounces of pressure is applied, the alarm will sound, either in room, or with the carer.  

So bed alarms? Motion Sensors? Floor Mats? You choose......but our team of knowledgeable, friendly customer service agents are here to help.....just give us a call 01664-434798

 

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An interesting piece from the Alzheimer's Society!

Customer Service

New reports reveal the human cost of a social care system struggling to cope

Published 15 September 2016

The Richmond Group of Charities has today (Thursday 15 September) released Real Lives, which describes real life experiences of seven individuals and families who are using social care services today

Real Lives is launched alongside a major report, Social Care for Older People: Home Truths, from the King's Fund and the Nuffield Trust.

Social Care for Older People: Home Truths revealed:

  • Bleak funding outlook for the next five years, with public spending on adult social care set to fall to less than 1 percent of GDP and councils unable to meet minimum statutory duties.
  • Knock-on effect to the NHS, most visibly resulting in an increase in delayed discharges from hospital.
  • Access to care depending heavily on what people can afford and where they live.

Real Lives sets out the challenges and barriers people face when accessing social care, these include:

  • Councils reducing access to care and support services by raising eligibility criteria and increasing fees and charges.
  • A lack of support for families and carers, who are not always receiving what they need or are entitled to under the Care Act (2014).
  • Serious doubt over the sustainability of the social care provider market, which sees people receiving minimal care from multiple carers.

Responding to this, Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society, said:

'As social care budgets are slashed it’s those who are most vulnerable who must suffer the consequences. Time and again, we hear of how people with dementia are forced to choose between which basic level of care they must forgo. In some cases, homecare visits are so short they have to decide between a cup of tea or a wash.

'Theresa May cannot neglect this issue in the post-Brexit turmoil. While the full implications of Brexit remain cloudy, the implications of an underfunded social care system are staring us in the face - social care urgently needs a solid financial grounding before this house of cards falls.'

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Dementia Fall Safety

Sheenagh Kerr

Austin Medical is pleased to announce the launch of it's new AideAlert Fall Safety line.  This new line of quality alarms, with bed and chair sensor pads, plus floor mats, will offer Austin's customers quality products that will add to their already expansive line of Fall Safety Items!

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