It is always such a joy to hear and see our chairs being used to help so many people and assist clinicians to achieve their clinical goals. Today, I want to share with you the success that Cuan Chaitriona Nursing Home, Castlebar, County Mayo in Ireland is having using Seating Matters chairs to help their residents.
Director of Nursing Eveleen Horan has been at the forefront of implementing continuous learning for her staff. Having a background in nursing, she knew the importance of education and training that would assist her staff to be able to use the chairs as best as possible.
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"The training was pivotal to the success of how well the chairs have performed in the unit," said Eveleen.
Advanced Seating, who are the local Seating Specialists in County Mayo, originally visited Cuan Chaitriona Nursing Home to demonstrate the chairs.
"Tom from Advanced Seating came to demonstrate the chairs to the staff. They sat in them so they got a really good idea of what they are like and the demo highlighted the importance of a having the footplate in the correct position. It was clear the difference the tilt in space function would make to client's comfort." Eveleen continued, "It gave the staff a better understanding and now we have a member of staff specifically allocated to make sure clients' position is changed every half hour if required."
Eveleen added, "I am blessed because I have a great team who are genuinely interested in the residents' welfare. They want to make sure that they don't develop pressure ulcers."
Eveleen shared the story of one particular resident who has dementia. This lady sat in numerous chairs and was very restless. Staff members were having to reposition her many times throughout the day, even up to once every hour. This client also had a history of falls. "We just couldn't get a chair that was comfortable but when she sat into the Sorrento chair, she was comfortable and would fall asleep. She no longer requires a seat belt and she hasn't had a fall since she has been using the Sorrento for the past 9 months."
This was a great outcome and I was delighted to hear that out of all the eight residents who use the Seating Matters chairs, none of them
This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the care being delivered in this home due to the hard work carried out by the staff.
"She no longer requires a seat belt and she hasn't had a fall since she has been using the Sorrento for the past 9 months.""What we have found with the chairs is the incidence of sheering & friction has decreased as the resident isn't moving in the chair. This is beneficial to the resident and the caregiver as they don't have to spend as much time treating injuries."
"Another lady in the care home had bad contractures with fixed elbows. She had a custom-built wheelchair but the lady could never get comfortable in and she constantly called for help. Eveleen has seen a dramatic change in this resident's condition. She was sat in the Atlanta and it has been absolutely marvellous!" Eveleen noted that she is now more comfortable in her chair than she is in bed.
Local Seating Specialist Christopher McGlynn continues to support the residents and staff at Cuan Chaitriona Care Home as he continues to carry out clinical training for staff and reassess any clients when required. "Christopher is very good at follow-ups and we get great support from Advanced Seating."
I am so glad to hear that Cuan Chaitriona residents are having such success with the Seating Matters chairs and the staff are seeing the benefits too.
If you work in a care facility or have a loved one who lives in a care facility, we would be happy to carry out a complimentary Seating Assessment or provide clinical training which includes advice on how to reduce falls and manual handling.
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