New ITV Campaign To Raise Awareness Of Invisible Disabilities

Broadcaster ITV has launched a new on-air campaign to raise awareness of invisible disabilities, developed in partnership with charity Scope and featuring famous faces like Chase star Paul Sinha, actress Kelle Bryan and author Katie Piper.

Research by ITV has revealed that less than a third of the population in the UK are aware of the levels of disability in the country. One in five people are, in fact, disabled but only 40 per cent say they feel confident about telling others that they have a disability.

The marketing campaign forms part of the broadcaster’s commitment to help drive culture change around disability perception and representation, shape culture for good and foster creativity by championing diversity, equality and inclusion.

Paul Fuller, executive director of partnerships at Scope, said: “One in five of us in the UK are disabled, but this is not always obvious. At Scope, we unfortunately hear regularly from disabled people who have experienced negative attitudes, social isolation and a lack of understanding.

“We hope ITV’s campaign will increase awareness of invisible impairments and conditions. It has the potential to challenge viewers, encourage them to deepen their understanding and to become disability allies.”

Hidden disabilities are those that may not be immediately obvious, including learning difficulties, mental health, mobility, speech, visual or hearing impairments. Conditions can also include asthma and COPD, as well as renal failure, diabetes and sleep disorders when such conditions affect daily life.

Invisible disabilities come with their own specific challenges for individuals, with many misunderstandings arising from others and judgements incoming based on incorrect perceptions.

 

Looking for help or advice relating to mini walk in baths? Get in touch with Practical Bathing today.

‘More Places Should Apply Design Guidelines For Dementia’

It’s important that more of our homes and public spaces are designed to help those with dementia enjoy them and live fulfilled lives.

That’s the opinion of Paola Barbarino, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), who recently told the New Straits Times that dementia designs need to be implemented in the built environment all over the world.

“We need to apply design guidelines and principles for people living with dementia in the same way as design guidelines are provided for people living with physical disability,” Ms Barbarino asserted.

The ADI recently published the world’s most comprehensive report into dementia-related design, with a wide variety of suggestions included, many of which don’t cost a lot of money. The report focuses on simple steps, such as removing hazards, improving wayfinding and reducing stimulation to help reduce anxiety and agitation in those suffering from dementia.

Simply adapted bathrooms are one of the recommendations in the report, along with dementia-friendly outdoor gardens and using traditional cupboard handles in kitchens.

Introducing walk in baths to the bathroom could also be another way to help someone with dementia cope better in their own home.

There is certainly good reason to focus on dementia-friendly design here in the UK, with the Alzheimer’s Society estimating that there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK currently, while that figure is expected to climb to 1.6 million by 2040.

The ADI report also set out a range of principles to follow in relation to dementia-friendly design, which include unobtrusively removing risks and supporting movement and engagement.

Safety A Top Priority For UK Consumers Looking For A New Bathroom

It’s fair to say that the Covid-19 pandemic has made many of us re-evaluate our homes in a new light given that we’ve all been spending so much more time in them. If you have been using your bathroom as something of a sanctuary during this period, you’re certainly not alone.

However, there are plenty of people who want a bathroom that is functional and safe too, not just a wellness retreat, as a recent survey showed.

Kbb Review reported on a survey conducted by Explorare on behalf of Grohe, which revealed that over three-quarters of Brits are concerned about the safety of their bathroom. One of the top features they would look for when choosing a bathroom upgrade was a shower surface that doesn’t get hot.

Others said that they would be prepared to invest in a thermostat to even out the temperature of the water that comes out of their shower.

For anyone with mobility issues, creating a safe bathroom is a top priority. Keeping the water temperature even and not too hot is important because it may not be possible to move out of the flow quickly if it becomes too hot, for instance.

There are many other changes you can make to your bathroom to make it safer and more accessible, however, such as installing walk in baths and shower seats.

Earlier this year, Which? highlighted some of the steps that older people can take to ensure they are able to remain independent in their homes for longer.

It noted that bathing is often one of the first activities that becomes challenging as your mobility is restricted and therefore recommended investing in an easy-access bath. Consider also tubs that feature a built-in seat to make it easier for you to both sit in the bath and get out of it once you’ve finished.

Grab rails, although a simple addition, are another one that can make a significant difference to those who are starting to struggle with their mobility or strength.

Another top tip from the consumer rights group is to make sure that you have good lighting in all areas of your home. This could be especially important in the bathroom if you don’t have a source of natural light during the day.

High wattage light bulbs will provide more brightness and therefore make it easier to see what you’re doing, regardless of the time of day. It’s also essential to check that light switches are working and easily accessible to you as you move around your home.

Other basic safety tips include ensuring that you get your boiler serviced each year and that you check your home for trip hazards, such as rugs, loose carpet or uneven floorboards. These are all small elements that you might not ordinarily notice, but as mobility becomes more challenging these can become obstacles that could cause a trip or fall.

If you have an elderly relative or friend who is still living at home, it could be worth talking to them about some simple steps they can take to improve the safety of their home and make it a more comfortable place for them to live in the coming years.

Regular Hot Baths ‘Could Lower Risk Of Heart Disease And Stroke’

A new study has found a link between taking a daily hot bath and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, Science Daily recently reported.

It shared the findings of research conducted in Japan and first published in the journal Heart, which revealed that regularly having a hot bath was found to lower the risk of people developing heart disease or suffering from a stroke.

The Japan Public Health Center conducted the study, starting with a cohort of 43,000 participants in 1990. They were all aged between 45 and 59 years old when the study began and were monitored for the duration of the research at the end of December 2009, or until death, whichever came first.

Following the end of this study period, the final analysis was based on 30,076 people. All the participants had to complete a detailed questionnaire at the beginning of the research period, detailing their bathing habits.

They also had to disclose potentially influential factors including exercise, diet, alcohol intake, average hours of sleep per night, weight, medical history and current medicine use.

After taking these lifestyle factors into account, the researchers found that a daily hot bath resulted in a 28 per cent lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease, and 26 per cent lower overall risk of suffering from a stroke.

While the publication pointed out that this is an observational study, and therefore isn’t able to establish cause, the results it has produced are statistically significant.

The researchers commented: “We found that frequent tub bathing was significantly associated with a lower risk of hypertension, suggesting that a beneficial effect of tub bathing on risk of [cardiovascular disease’] may in part be due to a reduced risk of developing hypertension.”

According to the British Heart Foundation, hypertension (or high blood pressure) is associated with approximately half of heart attacks and strokes.

The charity noted that there are many potential causes of hypertension, including diet and lifestyle, as well as certain medical conditions.

Heavy alcohol consumption, smoking, being overweight, not exercising enough and eating too much salt are all known to increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, it added.

While the findings from this Japanese study are interesting, an editorial in Heart by Dr Andrew Felix Burden stressed that people need to approach taking hot baths with caution as there can be health risks if the temperature of the water is too high.

“There can be no doubt about the potential dangers of bathing in hot water, and the occurrence of death from this increases with age, as well as with the temperature of the water,” Dr Burden stated.

If you currently struggle to take regular baths because your mobility makes it difficult for you to get in and out of the tub, there are options available that could mean that you too can enjoy some of the benefits of regularly taking a bath.

Walk in baths can be a great option for anyone who is unable to lift and lower themselves into and out of a tub.

Disabled Homeseekers ‘Struggling’ To Find Suitable Accommodation

Disabled people looking for somewhere to live are finding it so hard to access suitable accommodation that they’re experiencing mental and emotional distress as a result.

This is according to a new piece of research from the University of Stirling, Housing Options Scotland and the Horizon Housing Association.

The Match Me study, which looked into the effectiveness of lettings and allocations practice for adapted and accessible social housing in Scotland, also found that the assessment of a property’s suitability should consider both the access and internal features but also the accessibility of the external environment and how easy it would be for someone to maintain local support networks.

Lead author professor Isobel Anderson said: “Disabled people and their families should have equal housing opportunities and the right to an accessible home in the community that ensures and protects their human rights.

“This academically rigorous report gives all stakeholders the opportunity and evidence to shape lettings policy and practice to optimise effectiveness in matching disabled people to suitable homes, as well as increasing our stock of accessible housing.”

Disability Horizons has a useful accessible housing guide for those looking for somewhere to live, which could help them on their search.

If you have no plans to move but want to make sure that your current house suits your particular needs, adaptations like small walk in baths and similar could prove useful. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with us today. We specialise in mobility bathrooms, providing a well designed and reliable service.

Disability Access To Improve In 73 Train Stations

Disabled people know how difficult it can be to make even the simplest journey due to a lack of accessible routes across Britain’s rail network. That is why the government has pledged £300 million to transform 73 train stations to help disabled rail passengers across the UK.

The Access For All Funding will help to create a fully inclusive transport network within the next five years.

Large-scale improvements will be made with this finance, including building footbridges and installing lifts.

Transport accessibility minister Nusrat Ghani said: “We want the 13.9 million disabled people in Britain to be empowered to travel independently, which is why I am delighted to announce this roll out of upgrades across the rail network.”

The 73 stations that will see these improvements were chosen due to their proportion of disabled passengers, proximity to hospital, to represent geographical spread across the UK, and their value for money.

Another 1,500 stations will see smaller upgrades for disabled passengers, including platform humps, improvements for those who are visually or hearing impaired, and accessible toilets.

Earlier this year, US vlogger Shane Burcaw, who has a muscle-wasting disease, posted a video on social media about his embarrassing experience using toilet facilities at St Pancras International station.

Needing to use a travel urinal, he struggled to find a pull-down table to be able to position the device upon, resulting in him having to put it on the dirty floor instead.

His story was picked up by major news providers across the UK, highlighting the lack of facilities for disabled people in some of the country’s biggest rail hubs.

While those with disabilities can often find public facilities challenging, it is important to feel comfortable in your own home. Having easy access showers or walk-in baths can give people much-needed independence.

More Work Needed To Adapt UK Homes For Elderly Residents

Just seven per cent of the UK’s homes meet basic accessibility needs, a new report has revealed.

Research conducted by the Centre for Ageing Better also pointed out that more than 90 per cent of people over the age of 65 live in mainstream housing, rather than specialist retirement properties, in the UK.

As a result, more needs to be done to make our homes suitable places to live as we age and mobility reduces, with the charity noting that “investment in adaptations is highly cost effective”.

Taking this approach is “helping to improve wellbeing, keep people out of hospital, prevent or delay moves into residential care, and reduce the need for carers”, the report added. To get the most benefit from home adaptations, installing them early on is essential.

Some of the key adaptations cited in the report include ones that allow people to move safely around their homes and reduce the risk of trips and falls, as well as those that enable them to look after their own personal care.

Adaptations falling under the latter category may include the likes of walk in baths, shower seats or easy access showers.

In addition to the benefits to people’s physical health, such home alterations can also improve people’s mental health by reducing the stress and anxiety associated with carrying out basic tasks in a home that’s not designed to support reduced mobility.

Earlier this year, Home Care reported that people with arthritis in particular are missing out on government funding to make home adaptations that could significantly improve their quality of life.

It cited findings from Arthritis Research UK, which revealed that as many as 80 per cent of arthritis sufferers are missing out on the support they’re eligible to receive because they don’t realise it’s available to them.

Do You Know What Exercises Can Ease Arthritis Symptoms?

If you suffer from arthritis you’ll know how painful and frustrating it can be. There are various types of arthritis, with different causes, but the most common in the UK is osteoarthritis.

This is caused by a gradual wearing down of the cartilage in the joints, the Express explained, and the newspaper noted that there are a number of different types of exercise you should be incorporating into your routine to help alleviate the symptoms.

Range-of-motion (ROM) exercises can be especially beneficial, as they can help ease joint stiffness. Stretching exercises are also important to help keep your joints and the rest of your body in good shape.

Ideally, you should hold each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds and make sure you’re stretching at least three to five days a week.

The newspaper also highlighted the importance of strengthening exercises and aerobic exercise in your routine. When it comes to the latter, walking, aquatic exercises, cycling and aerobic dance were recommended.

However, there’s one form of exercise that many people forget about – body awareness exercises. According to the American College of Rheumatology, this includes “activities to improve posture, balance, joint position sense [proprioception], coordination and relaxation”.

Of course, you may also want to think about making simple adaptations to your home to enable you to live as independent a life as possible. This could include installing walk in baths in your home.

Earlier this year, Arthritis Research UK revealed that many people suffering from the condition in the UK are missing out on government help to make such adaptations. According to its research, 80 per cent of those who are eligible for this support are failing to claim it.

MPs Call For Govt To Address Elderly Housing Problems

More help should be given to elderly people in the UK so they can adapt their homes to suit their changing needs and reduce the number moving into residential care, MPs have urged in a new report.

The Communities and Local Government Committee’s Housing For Older People document highlighted the problems faced by the ageing population to stay safe and comfortable in their homes.

The report noted that this group of people’s issues are diverse, but called for a “national strategy, which brings together and improves the policy on housing for older people”.

Among the suggestions are readily available handyman services to make repairs, adaptations and maintenance to enable residents to stay in their homes for as long as possible.

The green paper also recommended all new properties be made to Category 2 Building Regulations standard so they adequately satisfy people’s needs as they get older; it called for councils to address how they intend to deliver appropriate houses to the elderly; urged lenders to improve customer service and guidance for older people applying for mortgages; and to increase access to shared ownership and equity.

This strategy is urgent, the MPs claimed, as 18 per cent of the UK population was over 65 years of age in 2016. What’s more, the number of people 85 and over looks likely to double over the next 25 years.

One thing that elderly people do need to change in their home is their bathroom. As they become less mobile, walk-in baths or easy access showers are much easier to use than standard facilities.

By making these adaptations to their bathroom, they will be able to wash themselves more easily without any help. Therefore, they will stay independent and in their own home for much longer – a liberty most people want to hold on to as they get older.

British Red Cross Criticises Elderly Care

Small walk in baths are just some of the many ways in which people can maintain more independence at home as they get older.

This is important for many people, and can actually benefit the mental health of some too.

It is also not a great time to be entering social care as the NHS and social care crisis has hit the UK harder than ever this year.

The two are thought to be exacerbating each other, with some saying the crisis in social care is putting increased pressure on the NHS.

Now the British Red Cross, which called the problems the NHS faced last year a humanitarian crisis, has claimed that many of the problems faced by the NHS are due to elderly people becoming stuck in an “endless cycle of avoidable hospital readmissions”.

Chief executive Mike Adamson told The Independent newspaper: “We believe that routine home inspections, when someone vulnerable is discharged from hospital, could flag basic steps that would prevent dangerous falls and repeat admittance to hospital. This could dramatically ease the flow of patients in and out of hospitals, helping to free up critical bed space.”

In a report, the charity says that elderly people are increasingly being sent home from hospital, without the right care in place only for them to end up back in A&E.

The report goes on to show that emergency readmission has risen 23 per cent over the past five years, and states this is due to the lack of care available for elderly people. They criticised hospitals for not identifying the issues earlier on, and addressing them.