Total approach to quality respite care

Published by Ross Macmillan for Total Hygiene in Health

A charity providing ‘ special holidays for special children’ is ensuring they are as independent as possible during their stay- right through to their personal hygiene….

The Childrens Adventure Farm Trust, which survives solely from donations, has added to its respite care accommodation facilities with the installation of a Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ toilet in one of the two flats on site. The Clos-o-Mat was funded by children’s charity MedEquip4Kids and has been added to further enhance the accessiblility of the accommodation , which already includes specialist equipment such as adjustable beds, a hoist, and height adjustable wash basins.

MedEquip4Kids raises money to provide medical equipment and facilities for hospitals, community health teams and other registered charities to help ensure children receive the best possible care when sick, injured or living with a long term disability. The Clos-o-Mat, designed and manufactured by Total Hygiene, is the only toilet of its kind developed specifically for disabled people. Looking just like a conventional WC, the Clos-o-Mat washes and dries the user after toileting, eliminating the need for a carer to wipe them clean: simple pressure on the flush pad triggers flushing, douching, followed by warm air drying. Just pressing and releasing the flush pad enables the unit to be used as a traditional toilet, if required. Over 40,000 Clos-o-Mats have been installed across the UK.

Complimenting the respite care accommodation, the Childrens Adventure Farm Trust, set in 10 acres round a 17^th century farmhouse in Millington, Cheshire, offers an adventure playground, gang trail, nature activity trail, sensory garden, barbeque area, multi-sensory suite, games room and sports hall, ensuring activities and stimulate for all visitors.

Helen Crowther of CAFT explained, “The Trust is a haven for hundreds of disabled and disadvantaged children, focusing on delivering special holidays for special children. It has made a big difference to them, particularly the teenagers, for us to have been gifted with the Clos-o-Mat, as it allows them to be more independent during their stay. Previously, we only had standard toilets: for many of the disabled and immobile children staying with us, that meant they had to be assisted whenever they went ‘to the loo’, but as a charity ourselves, we could not afford to make the investment. To able people, this is insignificant, but for the children who visit us, it makes a big difference to their enjoyment and overall experience.”

Vicky Bunnage of MedEquip4Kids added, “The aim of MedEquip4Kids is to help children, like the 3000 who visit the Childen’s Adventure Farm Trust each year, to have the highest standard of care. Many will benefit from the Clos-o-Mat and it will enable them to enjoy their experience of the Farm even more for years to come.”