A new approach to hygiene care and toileting
| September 2011
Toileting care and personal hygiene for large adults with disabilities can be an undignified and uncomfortable task for everyone involved. Conventionally, care is performed on an adult changing table or other horizontal surface and often results in back injury for the care provider.
The Rifton Support Station provides a new approach to hygiene care, enabling users with even limited weight-bearing ability to remain upright for diaper changes and other care. It’s a more dignified, convenient and healthy stance for everyone.
Many adolescents and adults have the capacity to use a toilet but cannot be transferred quickly or easily. By making toileting a simpler and faster process, the Support Station creates more opportunities for toileting and the many health benefits of continence.
Dramatic benefits
- Replaces undignified, infant-like diaper changes with easy, comfortable, upright personal care
- Encourages full or partial participation of clients, promoting dignity, self-esteem and skill-building
- Through scheduled toileting opportunities, clients may learn to use a toilet instead of relying on diapers
- Clients can gain strength and weight-bearing ability
Unlike the complete dependency of a changing table, the client participates in the transfer, using ergonomic elbow curves, hand slots, and optional handholds on the trunk board to help pull themselves from sit to stand. The comfortable kneeboard provides stability and leverage. An optional support strap can be used for additional security during care. The comfortable curve of the height-adjustable trunk board is placed at waist level. Once upright, clothing is easy to access and position.
Even clients with minimal weight-bearing ability can use the Support Station with the client’s torso resting comfortably on the trunk board in its horizontal position.
Choose from two configurations:
Fixed
As a stand-alone unit, the Support Station’s kneeboard enables assist-to-stand for clothing adjustment and diapering care. The client may remain in the upright position for care or return to sitting on a rolling commode or shower chair.
Pivoting
Without the kneeboard, the padded trunk board can pivot 180º, serving as a transfer aid to a stationary toilet. The client uses the Support Station to pull into an upright position from a wheelchair, resting the torso on the trunk board. Then, by moving their feet, the client can pivot to the toilet and sit down – creating more independence with toilet transfers.
