Case Study: Natasha Poole, House Manager, Anheddau

Natasha cares for Jenny,* a lady with learning difficulties and hydrocephalus. Part of Jenny’s pattern of behaviour is to indiscriminately perform a controlled fall. Because of her limited mobility, she is unable to get back up unaided, even though she is uninjured.

Established in 1990, Anheddau is a not for profit, charitable organisation which support adults with learning difficulties to live fulfilled lives. Natasha has worked for Anheddau for 5 years and in social care for 10 years. She is a house manager committed to promoting independence and choice for the people she cares for. Jenny shares a house with 4 others. Natasha says, “I have supported Jenny for 5 years now and it is important for her health that she is as active as she can be. I encourage her to take days out and go to the theatre, but there is always the possibility she may fall”. The amount Jenny falls varies from week to week. Sometimes she will fall 2 or 3 times a day, on other occasions she may not fall for a couple of months. Ensuring Natasha does not hurt herself during a lift is a priority for both her and Anheddau. Natasha met with Jenny’s Occupational Therapist to discuss moving and handling options available.

Jenny’s Occupational Therapist proposed two possible solutions. The first option was the Mangar ELK lifting cushion. Lifting someone on the ELK requires the carer to act like a backrest to support the person who has fallen during the lift. Natasha found that Jenny moved around too much during a lift and that it wasn’t the right solution for their circumstances. The second option was the Mangar Camel lifting cushion. Immediately Natasha found lifting Jenny on the Camel much easier. The inbuilt backrest gives support so that even if Jenny moves around a lot during a lift, she feels stable and secure.

Both Jenny and Natasha found the Camel to be the best lifting solution for their circumstances. They use it when out for the day, in the house and even if Jenny falls in a tight space. If Jenny falls somewhere which is a bit awkward, Natasha encourages her to use the mobility she has to get into a space where she can shuffle onto the Camel. Jenny likes sitting on the Camel and feels comfortable during a lift. Natasha says, “I have found that if Jenny falls when we are out in public now, we attract far less attention than we used to. People can see us using the Camel and can see we are in control.” The Camel gives Jenny a dignified lift while protecting Natasha from injury. *We have changed the name to protect the privacy of the individual.