Case study: stairclimber gives Huntington’s disease sufferer a lift
Stephen Thompson was diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease 25 years ago. Now aged 55, his condition is deteriorating, to the extent that the symptomatic chorea of the disorder was making it unsafe for him to use the stairlift fitted in his Gateshead home.
His daughter and care manager Hayley Thompson-Kail asked the local council (Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead) for help. In partnership with AAT GB- the stairclimber people- a safe, cost-efficient solution has been achieved.?
The Council had an old model of an AAT stairclimber in its equipment stores, which it re-issued.
AAT’s trained assessor/prescriber then reviewed the stairclimber’s relevance for Stephen and his support team, adding an up-to-date AAT Sella seating system to the frame, complete with appropriate safety straps.?
AAT further trained all five of Stephen’s personal assistants in the safe operation of the equipment. The flexibility of the Sella stairclimber means each of the care team can set the height to suit their particular build, and step speed to that which they feel comfortable.
领英推荐
Class 1 Medical Device certified, the AAT Sella is a battery-powered kinematic system, that can undertake 300 steps from one charge of the battery. The unit is compact, enabling it to easily navigate the stairs despite the original stairlift still being in place. The Sella’s design means once Stephen is comfortably sat, he can be safely moved up and down the stairs and onward into bathroom, bedroom, lounge without any further transfer required. When not in use, it simply folds away.
Says Hayley Thompson-Kail:
“We were a bit wary at first, but once we were shown how to use it, and that we could adjust the speed and height to suit what we are comfortable with, we all love it, even Dad. With the various harness straps, we know Dad is supported and safe during the transfer, with no risk of him catching his legs even in chorea. Despite being non-verbal now, he lets us know that he is happy, and whether we are going fast enough!?
“We all think it is brilliant! I can’t imagine life without it.”
Since being introduced some 20 years ago, AAT’s stairclimbers have become the industry leader. With their impeccable safety record, thousands are now in use nationwide, in private and social housing, care homes, ambulances and hospitals.
Find out more about the Sella stairclimber and book a free, no obligation assessment by visiting?https://www.aatgb.com/s-max-sella/.