The difference this solution has made should not be underestimated!

Assisted by his Mum or a Carer, as a 16-year-old adolescent, ‘Lewis’* had, unsurprisingly, become very self-conscious about needing toileting assistance.  As Lewis presented with good cognitive ability and understanding, it was felt by his Moving & Handling lead that he would have the capability to self-hoist.  It was predicted that once he’d also been taught to self-fit his sling, Lewis would be able to go to the toilet without needing others present.

To achieve a successful outcome, a standard stocked item of a GLOVE Convenience II was engaged with a resourceful fitting method.  Instead of fitting the leg sections over his clothing as per the norm, Lewis was shown a way which enabled him to partially remove his clothing unassisted. 

To enable this, Lewis needed to wear loose fitting trousers – tracksuit bottoms being ideal.  Without needing to bend forward and risk toppling, the tracksuit bottoms could easily be pulled up over his knees to a mid-thigh position using a dressing aid.  Remaining in the chair, Lewis was then capable via a sideways rocking motion of pulling the tracksuit waistband and his underwear down, leaving his bottom exposed. 

After inserting the sling behind his back, the leg sections could then be threaded in between the adjusted clothing and his skin.  By fitting the sling in this way, once he’d hoisted himself into place over the toilet, Lewis would already be sufficiently disrobed, to allow his ablutions to occur in private without any intervention from a third party.

“The difference this solution has made should not be underestimated,” said Mel, the local Moving & Handling Team Leader.  “By enabling Lewis in this way, he has not only gained more independence, but it has given Lewis back his dignity in what is for everyone, a very personal matter – and none more so than for a pubescent male in front of his Mum or female carer.”
 

*Due to the sensitivities of medical conditions, names have been changed to protect privacy.  Images used are for illustrative purposes only.