At-Home Innovations
A Special Report
Isaac's Project
France + Associates are a multi-award winning Chartered Architectural Practice, that specialises in designing accessible homes for individuals living with life changing injuries.
In this case study, France + Associates share Isaac’s project, which is one of many excellent project examples completed over the years by F+A, of how a fully accessible home can maximise a person’s quality of life, support their independence and enable continuing therapy, whilst avoiding ‘clinical finishes’.
France + Associates are of the belief that a home can be both practical, accessible but maintain the home comforts we all enjoy.
This recently completed, fully accessible family home in Yorkshire has been designed and built for Isaac, his parents and siblings.
Isaac
Isaac is 11 years old, he was born full term, but very underweight and suffered a brain injury at birth in July 2011. As a result, he lives with cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment and has a diagnosis of autism.
He requires ongoing support and therapeutic intervention, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to support his health and welfare as well as promoting his learning, development and independence. Isaac also lives with impaired mobility, which means he finds stairs difficult, and in time, may require a wheelchair.
Accessible Home
His family were previously living in a terraced house, which they had undertaken minor adaptations to, but required a bigger, fully accessible home for Isaac to grow up in.
With a big supportive network of family and friends living nearby, the family were keen to stay in the local area and began the search for a suitable home. After searching for some time, they identified a suitable dormer bungalow in late 2018.
France + Associates were first appointed to visit the property and appraise whether the property could be suitably adapted to suit
Isaac requirements as well as his family’s.
The suitability report identified areas of the building that would need to be addressed to ensure the property would assist and improve Isaac’s day-to-day living.
Extensive surveys of the property were undertaken to allow France + Associates to better understand the building and potential issues that would need to be resolved as part of the building process, as well as produce a design scheme highlighting the most effective way, from a building viability, cost and of course suitability perspective to meet Isaac’s needs.
The family were delighted with France + Associates proposal, which addressed level access issues, included new single storey extensions to the side and rear of the property to provide enough space to include a ground floor bedroom and specialist bathroom for Isaac along with his own therapy room.
Extensive external work was also proposed to allow Isaac to play safely with his siblings and friends.
A key aspect of the design was to ensure the home would be viable for both Isaac’s present needs and those he may have in the future.
Use of rooms, the building’s layout and potential future alternative uses were carefully considered to ensure the home would suit Isaac’s needs long term. Planning consent was applied for and achieved in December 2019.
Each stage in the process including the tender process was explained clearly to the family, to better understand their role and what was to be involved, along with expected timescales.
This allowed Isaac and his family to make informed, timely decisions.
France + Associates produced the appropriate documentation to be formally issued to primed building contractors to obtain competitive building costs.
Following receipt of quotations, F+A undertook the detailed cost analysis process, providing recommendations of the most viable route forward.
At the same time, statutory consent was sought from various authorities to ensure the works could safely commence onsite.
Construction commenced in January 2021, with France + Associates appointed as Contract Administrators, liaising with both the family, the contractor and other stakeholders.
The construction process would include extensions to the home, internal adaptations to suit access needs, along with renovation of the dwelling to create a completed build in harmony with the design that was deemed suitable for Isaac and his family’s needs.
Key accessibility features
Future Proofed
This home has been designed and built to accommodate Isaac’s present needs as well as being future proofed to accommodate those that he may have as an adult.
When Isaac is old enough, he will have the choice to live independently in his home, so a major consideration has been to include live-in carers accommodation, including a small kitchenette area for care staff.
Future consideration around mobility was carefully thought of, such as the ceiling infrastructure, to ensure a hoist system could be installed in specific areas if ever required for Isaac.
Accessible Garden
As well as adaptations inside the home, Isaac and his family were also looking forward to having a secure property to provide a safe, accessible garden.
With access to the garden directly from his own bedroom, Isaac can now play safely and independently.
Accessible Kitchen
As the ‘heart of the home’, it was important to design a kitchen that could be enjoyed by the whole family.
The large kitchen / living area at Isaac’s home is designed and orientated to be part of Isaac’s life, learning vital life skills and cooking for himself.
Isaac’s kitchen is open plan with ample space for a wheelchair to navigate should it be required in the future.
There is open access between the dining area, living space and kitchen, which also includes a height adjustable worktop. Key food preparation areas looks out through the large expansive doors and windows into the garden, to form a relationship with the outside space.
Therapy Room
Isaac requires regular physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy sessions to help him maintain mobility and allow him to develop.
In order for this to be conducted at home, Isaac now has a dedicated therapy room, which is positioned in a more private area of the home, with a separate entrance for the coming and going of various visiting therapists.
Smart Technology
Rain sensor skylights that automatically close when they sense moisture have been installed, along with smart technology to enable Isaac to control the lighting and temperature in the home.
Thought has been given with regards to the electrical infrastructure to more easily install automated internal doors, if required in the future.
If you would like to know more about our work, please contact us.
T: 01484 960560
E: admin@franceandassociates.co.uk
Centrobed:
Smart tech for a restful sleep
Centrobed: Smart tech for a restful sleep.
At Centrobed, our aim is to help our clients experience improvements in sleep, comfort, quality of life and independence.
With this in mind, we created our bespoke range of beds.
Our aim for our customers is to improve posture by allowing the individual to move all parts of their body independently.
This gives them the ability to move into the most comfortable position for a restful night's sleep.
Our turning beds are suited to clients who suffer from a variety of conditions. These vary from strokes, DMD to MS and Motor Neurone Disease, specifically the Arctic.
The Arctic is a unique product that has been specifically designed to enable individual leg movements to complement the turning functions.
This means means you could have your right knee elevated and turn towards your left-hand side, alternating pressure for ultimate comfort while asleep.
The Arctic comes with all the standard features expected such as profiling, Hi/Lo, and compatibility for environmental control.
Clients also enjoy the benefits of independent leg movements and the ability to programme and automatically turn through the day and night.
The Arctic was designed for comfort and to accommodate the most complex of needs.
This product helps clients to reposition themselves without the need for assistance of care givers, empowering independence by a simple push of a button.
About MND
Motor Neurone disease (MND) is a rare condition that affects approximately 2 in 100,000 people in the UK.
Over time, this life-limiting disease irreparably damages parts of the nervous system, leading to increased muscle weakness and a reduction in mass and mobility.
In addition to other symptoms such as cramps and twitches, weight loss and difficulty in controlling emotions.
Motor neurone brain cells are responsible for muscle control throughout the body, impacting walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing.
As the condition progresses, these actions become increasingly more difficult people for people with MND.
Over time, these individuals become increasingly reliant on family or caregivers as well as assistive technology to help perform these functions.
Over the years, technology has evolved, empowering people with MND and other conditions to live more independently and have more full lives.
The Arctic, along with our other bespoke turning beds, is designed to assist and relieve clients with limited mobility.
Many stroke survivors suffer from a significant loss in movement, typically in one side of the body, similarly to MND.
Stroke
Our aim is to provide these individuals with postural support, rather than having to rely on caregivers.
The recovery time from a stroke can range from a few weeks to years, and having the correct assistive technology can help aid the recovery time.
The lesser movement ability that someone has, the higher risk they are for pressure care issues caused by immobility.
This can exacerbate everyday issues like the common cold or a chest infection which can in some cases lead to further complications.
To combat this, caregivers are required to regimentally move patients to redistribute pressure throughout the day and night.
In December 2019, former rugby player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND, changing not only his life but also the lives of his family.
Since October 2020, Rob has been using our Arctic turning bed to help ease the strain that his condition has put onto both him and his family.
In the intervening years, Rob has found that he is able to sleep easier, helping to reduce the struggle for his loving wife Lindsey, too.
Rob told us:
“The Arctic bed has been my saving grace.
"The bed does everything I need for a good night's sleep, legs raised so I don't slip down the bed, the head raised up to my comfort and the turn of the bed enabling me to turn in automatically.
"The bed is comfortable, and it has helped me out massively since I got it.”
Since the launch of the Arctic, we have been able to provide countless families and caregivers some relief by adding an automatic turning function that can be programmed for use during the day or night.
This reduces the risk of injury for caregivers through manual handling and reduces the cost, in some cases eliminating the cost for carers at night altogether.
Our story
Centrobed first started by promoting independence with products such as our Nile leg lifter and pillow lifters for clients who were struggling to either get into bed or manoeuvre while in bed.
A few years on, we found that there were so many different communities that could benefit from these products but were also in need of more!
Because of these communities, our products quickly evolved over time onto our bespoke range of beds.
Not only with turning for complex needs such as MND, but also for a variety of other different scenarios.
The business was created in 1982 and has been passed down through the generations, bringing along our core beliefs and values, a legacy that puts people first and improves quality of life and independence for disabled people of all ages and disabilities.
To this day, Centrobed remains within the family who created it. Our products and the way we have developed them over time have been and will always be patient-led.
As a company, we look forward to serving our community and celebrating many more birthdays with many more generations to come, adapting to the changes in health and implementing new products to assist with a peaceful night's sleep.
Find out more about Centrobed at centrobed.com
Stiltz Homelifts: Assistive tech that’s on the up
Stiltz Homelifts manufacture truly unique domestic lifts enabling homeowners to live independently for longer.
The spacious and comfortable lifts offer an aesthetically-pleasing alternative to the stairlift and come with additional practical benefits.
Stiltz Homelifts CEO and Chairman, Mike Lord has many years’ experience working within the mobility and accessibility sector, both in the UK and internationally.
We got in touch with Mike to find out more about the technology and what we can expect from Stiltz in 2023.
What benefits does a Stiltz Homelift offer over a stairlift?
There are aesthetic, practical and safety benefits.
People associate stairlifts with disability and ageing. Nobody ever wanted a stairlift, they just need one!
A homelift – especially our clear-sided Plus range – is an attractive product in its own right.
It can be an interesting talking point.
However, it can also be installed discretely out of sight or even be installed into a cupboard or a shaft, making it completely hidden, unlike a stairlift which is clearly visible.
From a safety perspective, consider how a less-mobile person such as a wheelchair user might transfer onto and off, a stairlift. The risks associated with moving from chair to stairlift seat, especially at the top of the stairs, are obvious for all to see.
Practically, our lift doesn’t just move people, it moves stuff too – vacuums, washing baskets, suitcases… all the things that get harder for our customers as they get that bit older. This gives true independence.
What makes Stiltz different to other home lifts?
You just need to look at our lift to see how different it is.
In fact, it’s so different that we would argue that it’s actually the only true-blood homelift on the market.
Unique slim rails, one on each side of the lift across the centre line, mean we can fit it anywhere in the home. Literally.
We don’t need a wall. We could even fit a lift in the middle of the room if that’s what the customer wants.
This gives users maximum flexibility of positioning options in their home.
The rails also provide two completely unique features in homelifts; a void installation, and a ThruCar option.
Because the lift is freestanding, it can install into the empty space in the turn of stairs or straight up to a galleried landing without the need to cut a ceiling aperture.
The ThruCar really enhances this feature as it provides a door at each side of the lift, increasing options for our customers.
Additionally, we have the drive system fully enclosed in the lift, not separate like a traditional elevator and no need for a remotely located pump like an hydraulic lift.
Finally, it just looks fantastic compared to the rest.
What design considerations did you look at when developing the homelift?
Safety is of course a primary consideration for a domestic lift product.
It’s a comparatively large, electro-mechanical unit designed to be installed in the domestic environment, so naturally we must make sure the safety features are extensive.
Our product has sensors top and bottom as well as the usual fall-arrest, balance, and weight-limit monitoring.
Where our product is unique is its safety light curtain. If this beam across the inside of the door is breached by a limb or even by clothing, the lift will stop.
Most other lifts rely on the edge of the lift coming up against an obstruction, resulting in compression entrapment before they stop.Aesthetics have always been a very significant design consideration.
Stiltz Homelifts entered the marketplace with the intention to disrupt the accessible-living industry, an industry not known for its focus
on attractive design.
We have always believed products which assist people to live safely and independently in their own home should have just as strong a focus on attractive design as on functionality and safety.
What do customers like about Stiltz?
Stiltz customers are a very particular about the products they select for their home.
Whether they’re purchasing privately or have secured funding via a Disabled Facilities Grant, they are keen to continue to enjoy their home as a home, and not an extension of a medical facility.
As potentially vulnerable users, they expect exceptional levels of service when interacting with Stiltz staff, and a product that delivers on its promises.
Our customer service is second to none which includes our same day fix aftersales service.
24/7, 365 days a year.
Our customers depend on their Stiltz Lifts so we make sure that they can always get to bed no matter what time of day or night a problem occurs. As a business, Stiltz is on a continuous learning curve, and the overarching mission is to ‘Make it Easy’ for our customers.
That’s not just making it easy for customers to interact with Stiltz teams, but also ensuring the product user interface, installation process and handover is as straightforward as it can be.
How has the range grown and the technology evolved over the years?
Our products now look radically different to the early days of Stiltz Lifts.
We have introduced new styling, clear lift car bodies, new colourways, and a more intuitive and attractive interface.
The essential technology has remained the same though; a car suspended on steel cables, a cable drum, two rails to the sides of the lift car to channel the cables, and some clever electronics to make the whole thing run.
We continue to invest in new product development, and we will keep well ahead of the competition for years to come with new products and services already well through the design stage.
What were your highlights of 2022?
2022 was a year of consolidation. We focused on growing our export business, putting in place lead generation programmes and staffing up to support our key markets of Spain and Italy.
We also worked with mobility dealers in the UK to strengthen our trade support network.
In the background, significant advances in product development took place.
New technology will soon be introduced into completely new products which will create a seismic shift in our lifts specifically and will really be a gamechanger for the whole homelift industry generally.
Moreover, this will firmly cement our position as market leader.
We are approaching 400 employees and we grew sales by 20 per cent as a result of all these efforts.
We also implemented a new five-year strategy with a target to triple sales driven by new product and innovative distribution strategies
What do you have coming up this year?
More growth, more people, more investment and more product. Pretty much business as usual for Stiltz.
If I say any more about planned product launches though our Product Management team would be most put out!
Watch this space…
Find out more about Stiltz Homelifts at stiltz.co.uk
Aquasure UK Limited:
The hydrotherapy pool experts
Aquasure UK Limited was formed with an
in-depth personal knowledge based on first-hand experience.
After a spinal injury over 20 years ago, Martin Brook required hydrotherapy.
Martin searched the market and could not find a suitable off the shelf home hydrotherapy pool to meet his needs.
At this point, Martin consulted with Andrew Flynn MISPE, a swimming pool engineer. Together they designed a pool which was specific to Martin's needs.
During this process Martin and Andrew noticed the lack of knowledge and advice available for people requiring hydrotherapy at home for their bespoke needs.
Together, Martin and Andrew set up Aquasure to specialise in Hydrotherapy and help clients access pools that are specific to their needs.
Aquasure works closely with physiotherapists, occupations therapists, architects and their clients to provide bespoke hydrotherapy pools tailored to the client.
Aquasure designs and builds both domestic and commercial hydrotherapy pools.
A commercial hydrotherapy pool may be required to operate for over 12 hours per day. The filtration and water treatment systems are designed according to PWTAG recommendations, ensuring a safe environment for bathers and staff.
Water treatment systems such as Ultraviolet light disinfection allow for chlorine levels lower than drinking water.
The ultraviolet light disinfection removes chlorine biproducts which can be an irritant for bathers. This is especially useful when the pool is being used by clients with skin allergies.
The ultraviolet systems also irradicate all bacteria, ensuring bathers who are susceptible to infections can use the pool with a low risk.
The air heating ventilation and dehumidification systems are designed by Aquasure to provide the correct humidity and air temperatures. If the pool hall is to hot and humid the environment may be dangerous to bathers and staff.
Equally, if the pool hall is too cold, many clients may not be able to use the pool due to the sudden change in temperatures when exiting the warm hydrotherapy pool.
In recent years, Aquasure has developed a home wellness range including accessible steam rooms and saunas.
Many clients simply cannot use the commercial wellness facilities due to lack of accessible saunas and steam rooms.
Talking to our clients, we have realised how important it is to ensure previous wellness pastimes can be enjoyed at home with family and friends.
Designing a truly bespoke hydrotherapy pool means our clients have total control over the look and functionality of their pool.
Aquasure UK offers a vast range of optional extras to choose from, including underwater speakers, therapy LED lighting, underwater treadmill, an array of different pool covers, resistance swimjets and massage seating areas.
Massage seating areas are again designed bespoke, considering each clients measurements and how they wish to use the seating area to design something which suits their individual needs.
In addition to the option extras, Aquasure UK offers all available options when choosing pool finishes.
Ensuring each pool is designed and finished to our clients' individual tastes, fitting with their home.
A hydrotherapy pool can vary in size from 5m x 3m x1.2m to 10m x 5m x1.3m.
The hydrotherapy pool can be partially above the ground, fully in ground with the water below the below surround or deck level where the water is level with the surround.
Aquasure construct all options for hydrotherapy pools and advise on the most cost-effective method to provide the hydrotherapy pool
clients require.
A hydrotherapy pool requires various design features to ensure the hydrotherapy pool and hydrotherapy pool building are eligible for VAT exemption.
All Aquasure domestic hydrotherapy pools designed for for a disabled individual and installed by Aquasure are eligible for
VAT exemption.
A major part of the Aquasure design method is to ensure the pool the pool relates the smallest carbon footprint possible.
Aquasure installs all the latest energy efficiency equipment to reduce running costs for years to come. Aquasure is also instructed to reduce the running costs of existing pools.
Aquasure operates a nationwide maintenance service.
The maintenance of your pool is necessary to provide a safe environment for bathers and employees alike.
Aquasure provides planned nationwide hydrotherapy pool maintenance contracts. Including 365 days a year helpline.
The maintenance service is also available for a pool which has not been constructed by Aquasure.
Our team of nationwide engineers provide a reactive and planned maintenance service ensuring your pool always remains in safe working order.
Aquasure provides free of charge quotes and designs and advice prior to your project being tendered or designs finalised.
Working closely with the client architects, designers, physiotherapist, and occupational therapists prior to the project getting to site minimising delays helps with planning and allows for correct cost budgeting.
Find out more about Aquasure at
aquasureuk.com
Tracey regains her independence in the kitchen with Ropox
Tracey Doolan from Cardiff is enjoying a newfound independence at home following the installation of a new kitchen which features four cabinets which are fitted with the Diagonal Lift System from Ropox - one of the leading manufacturers of accessible kitchen and bathroom solutions.
Tracey has Rheumatoid Arthritis and as it progressed, she was finding it increasingly difficult to do anything in the kitchen and
was relying on her husband Lyndon more and more.
“It had got to the stage where I was unable to get anything in or out of the cupboards, so we decided that a modified kitchen was the best solution” explained Tracey.
The couple looked at various options to help make the kitchen more accessible and decided the Diagonal Lift System was the best solution as it meant the cupboards would automatically come right down to the work surface at the press of a switch as opposed to other systems where you have to pull the basket down manually.
Tracey has been using her new kitchen for just over a year now and loves the new found independence it has given her.
“Now I can make a drink or prepare food on my own instead of having to keep asking Lyndon for his help and as the cupboards come right down to the work surface, I can even reach the back of the cupboards with ease.
"I also love how easy they are to operate, and the auto sensor means if there are any obstructions on the work top the cupboards stop lowering until the item has been moved.
"I would not hesitate in recommending the Ropox Diagonal Lift System to anyone who wants to regain their independence in the kitchen as it makes the cupboards so accessible” concluded Tracey.
“It is fantastic to hear how Tracey and her husband are benefitting from their new Diagonal Lift Systems.
"Our aim is to help every client live as independently as possible and we feel we have certainly achieved this for Tracey and Lyndon” commented Suki Ram, Area Sales Manager, Ropox.
The Diagonal Lift System turns a standard kitchen cupboard into a height adjustable cupboard and can be fitted to new kitchens or retrofitted to an existing kitchen, and not only does it lower the cabinet, but it can also move the cabinet forward and closer to the user.
This means that someone like Tracey with limited movement can access the contents of the cupboard as can users that are unable to stand from their wheelchair.
The height adjustment range of the system is 43cm in height and 18cm horizontally while the diagonal movement of the system means that as it is lowering (up to 43cm) it is also moving closer to the user by 18cm.
For more information on the full range of Ropox equipment or to book an assessment, contact:
Mark Sadler on 07444 577609
email ms@ropox.com
Suki Ram on 07704 102393
email: sra@ropox.com
or visit www.ropox.co.uk
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