Cutting the Cost of Diabetes Care

Published by Angela May for Clos-o-Mat in Health and also in Housing

The cost of treating complications arising from diabetes could be significantly cut by adoption of a holistic approach to sufferers’ needs.

 New research shows informal care costs for diabetes sufferers already cost £billions*, and that cost could double by 2035. “That cost could be significantly reduced by investment in capital equipment, that simultaneously would help improve quality of life for sufferers and their carers,” says Robin Tuffley, marketing manager for Total Hygiene, the UK’s leading supplier of disabled toileting solutions, and manufacturer of the Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ automatic toilet.

 “Up to 100 patients A WEEK have a leg amputated due to diabetic complications; that means they can no longer undertake many daily tasks- including going to the toilet- unaided. Either a member of the family has to help them, or a carer visit to take them; whichever, that has major psychological and hygiene implications for them and the carer. Research shows for the same money as having a carer come in every day to lift a disabled person on and off a commode, that person could have an automatic toilet that they can use whenever they please, and which gives them more autonomy and dignity^+,,”he adds.

 The cost of providing a Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ automatic toilet could be covered by a Disabled Facilities Grant.

 Ulem Grant is just one amputee who is appreciating the benefits of a Clos-o-Mat. The Northamptonshire pensioner lost a leg through diabetes in 2010 and can no longer use his fingers. He has had his Clos-o-Mat installed under a Disabled Facilities Grant on the advice of his Occupational Therapist, as he was dependant on his wife helping him on and off his conventional WC and was getting frustrated at his inability to flush the toilet on his own.

 “It is fantastic, I am over the moon. It was so difficult to go the toilet, but not any more! I can go whenever I want, without my wife having to help me,” he says. 

 Looking like a conventional WC, the Clos-o-Mat Palma features built-in douching and drying. Whilst it can be used traditionally, the toilet is easily used by anyone with limited manual dexterity, balance or similar disability: after toileting, they remain seated and apply gentle pressure to the flush pad. This triggers simultaneous flushing and douching, followed by warm air drying, ensuring they are effectively and hygienically cleaned without hand/body contact.

 The Clos-o-Mat is the only unit of its kind developed specifically for disabled people, and was the first to carry WRAS approval for legal connection to the mains water supply. A range of accessories, including integral fold-down arm supports, soft arm sleeves, a touch sensitive switch and passive technology proxy switch, enable the Clos-o-Mat to be precisely tailored to individual and changing needs. Since Clos-o-Mats were first sold in the UK 50 years ago, over 40,000 have been installed in domestic and ‘out of home’ environments, some of which are still in daily use 30 years after first being fitted. Total Hygiene is the only disabled toilet provider in the country to support sales with a dedicated in-house service and maintenance team, ensuring the toilet continues to deliver dignity, independence and hygiene throughout its life.