This week’s Optimised Care event provided people from health and social care with hands-on learning experience aimed at promoting dignity and independence for adults who are cared for and supported in their own homes.
Over 140 health and social care staff from across the city familiarised themselves with the community equipment available to all prescribers with live equipment demonstrations, the opportunity to ask questions and to gain valuable insight into the latest innovations in community equipment.
Equipment demonstrated at the event included:
- slide sheet systems, satin sheets for people who require assistance in bed with moving, turning and lifting body wedge, which is a triangular-shaped cushion used to support people in various positions, primarily in a bed
- supportive mattresses which enable easier moving up and down the bed, and beds that enable a person to alter their position and reduce risk of pressure damage to skin
- rise recliner chairs which support people to stand, sit and recline, reducing the reliance on support from others to do this
- a gantry hoist which allows the carer to move the person more easily, reducing risk of injury and enabling the person to be more actively involved in the process
- patient transfer aids such as the ReTurn and Mini-lift specifically designed to assist in sit-to-stand transfers with one care giver
- patient transfer aids such as the Sara Steady specifically designed to be able to move the person from A to B, reducing the number of transfers they need to do and reducing strain on the carer
The aim of the event was to show how using the right equipment, at the right time, in the right place, can result in the way that care is delivered in the home to better support a person's care. Re-assessing people’s needs with them and looking at the equipment available to support them can often mean that their care package can change if they can have certain equipment in their home.
Some care packages that currently prescribe two carers per visit could change to one carer per visit, called ‘optimised care’, where the person being cared for can feel more in control and benefit from support that is much more dignified and person-centred. Having access to and using the right equipment is also proving to be invaluable for unpaid carers in the home environment, empowering them to continue to support their loved ones safely.
We know from working with suppliers that there is a huge opportunity to support more and more people to live at home more independently to live the life they want to live. The benefits to those who receive care and support using appropriate equipment is immeasurable. We all want to feel like we can do things for ourselves, even if that’s just a small contribution each day, so the positive effect of supporting people to retain independence where they can is far reaching. It helps them, their family, those who support them and this is what we want to continue to explore and implement working together across health and social care in the city.
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Chair of the Adult Health and Social Care Committee at Sheffield City Council
The event was sponsored by Medequip, the company that manages community equipment loan services in Sheffield on behalf of Sheffield City Council and the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
As the organisation responsible for managing the community equipment loan service in Sheffield, we were pleased to showcase the wide range of equipment available to support people living at home with care needs. It was important for us to create an environment where practitioners could freely ask questions, learn about best practices, and gain a deeper understanding of the equipment they prescribe for use in people’s homes.
We also took the opportunity to reinforce Sheffield City Council’s key message about the importance of returning, reusing, and recycling equipment. By doing so, we help reduce unnecessary new orders. All returned items are assessed, cleaned, safety tested, and either repaired or reused where possible. If they’re no longer suitable for reuse, we ensure they are dismantled and recycled responsibly.Alex Roberts, Engagement Manager at Medequip
Anyone who has equipment in their home that they no longer use, from adjustable walking sticks to chair raisers and perching stools, can call Medequip on 0114 5536449 or email sheffield@medequip-uk.com – and it will be collected safely and for free.
Suppliers demonstrating equipment at the event were Accora, DHG (Direct Healthcare Group), Harvest Healthcare, Hospital Direct and Prism Medical UK.