Disability Newsfeed for Disabled People, Parents, Carers, Occupational Therapists and AHPs

It is important to know how simple strategies can assist Occupational Therapists (OTs) and their clients who live with memory impairment, brain injury or learning difficulties. A client’s independence relies on a clear strategy for organising their daily routines, medication and social life. Strategies for memory loss Some people in the early stages of dementia or memory loss will begin to find it increasingly difficult to maintain their schedules and manage money. They may be reluctant to ask for help and this can lead to covering up errors which can be a major source of stress. Learning new coping skills and strategies can bring about a renewed sense of accomplishment for people with dementia. OTs helping someone manage their daily routine should consider the following: The problem:  make a list of tasks that have become more challenging  read more....

Despite living with  Multiple Sclerosis (MS)  and severe walking difficulties, Belinda Lowe, 50 from Dundee, has been able to regain her independence further afield thanks to the support of  National Express Dundee  and a  TGA Eclipse mobility scooter . Before having to take early retirement due to health issues, Belinda was a lively and integral part of the local NAAFI organisation.   The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI)   is an organisation created by the British government in 1921 to run recreational establishments needed by the British Armed Forces. Belinda managed NAAFI clubs, bars and mess halls in Scotland and Northern Ireland until her condition restricted her ability to work. Recently Belinda’s mobility has become so restricted that she now needs a mobility scooter to remain mobile outside of the home. Her chosen compact Eclipse model from TGA has given her freedom locally however travelling further afield independently was not possible. As Belinda and her husband d

Father, Kevin Latham, is the primary carer for Jack and Rebecca who live with Cerebral Palsy , a neurological condition that affects their walking and co-ordination. As they grew older, access to the family bath was becoming increasingly difficult, particularly as the twins require greater amounts of assistance to move around the home. Kevin’s back was under increasing strain from continually lifting his three children in and out of the bath on a daily basis, so a long-term solution was deemed absolutely critical. Kevin approached Bonnie Bannon, his  Occupational Therapist (OT) , and  Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust  to try and resolve this developing issue. Adaptations improving accessibility within the family home had already been completed so Kevin was hopeful of achieving an additional bathroom solution. Following a structured assessment and specification process, Kevin’s grant to install an  Abacus Healthcare Aquanova Scorpio bath   with powered transfer chair and integ

Building on the nationwide popularity of the Minimo range of folding mobility scooters, TGA has introduced an enhanced version of its  Minimo Plus  for even greater levels of independence and transportablity. This latest version of the Minimo Plus is easier to lift, provides an upgraded driving experience and delivers additional safety. Its advanced lightweight design combines the compact size of the original Minimo with extra features normally only associated with larger, mid-range mobility scooters. This latest Plus model can be easily folded in a single, one-handed action and is ideally suited to storage in a car boot or for transit on buses, trains and planes. The Minimo Plus gives the owner the choice of either folding and lifting as a complete scooter or removing the new detachable seat for even easier handling. With the seat detached, the Minimo Plus is one of the lightest folding ‘car boot’ scooters available today. The enhanced Minimo Plus also includes t