Caitlin’s Story
Vendlet – the joy of tossing and turning in bed – independently!
A few months ago, a client told me that she tossed and turned all night – and it was the best night sleep she’s ever had. For many of us, repeatedly turning over in the night can be a sign of restlessness, but for Caitlin and others with a disability – turning over in the night can be a breakthrough in independence. After 12 months of exploration, trials and problem-solving, Caitlin is now able to independently adjust her sleeping position with the help of a Vendlet turning system – something she has not been able to do in years.
For Caitlin (and many others with physical disability), movement in bed may be impossible for them to complete independently, requiring the assistance of family or a carer to adjust their positioning to get more comfortable, ease pain, or prevent pressure injuries.
Many have become familiar with the Vendlet system being particularly helpful in situations where rolling in bed is difficult for carers to do safely (e.g. bariatric clients), however it has been exciting to work with individuals who are able to use this technology to roll themselves or adjust their position in bed without assistance.
For most of her life, Caitlin has required physical support for all of her transfers and personal care tasks, with 2 support workers required for all hoisting, bed mobility and positioning in her chairs. Once in bed at night with the last carers leaving by 10:30pm, Caitlin knew that she could not change her position if she was uncomfortable. “Before I relied on my Dad, brother, sister or carers to roll me. If no-one was home, I couldn’t move and would stay in that same position all night. In the morning I would be stiff and crampy if I had not moved during the night”
After considering other options (rails, bed ladders, leave-in-place slide sheets, ceiling hoist with turning slings) we trialled the Vendlet with the goal of Caitlin being independent in rolling during the night, to prevent the need for overnight carers. “Using the Vendlet has given me the independence to roll myself. I use it to roll myself during care services and at night when I need to roll or move myself. Now I roll myself up to 3 times a night. This can be from side-to-side, onto my back or just to adjust my legs”
While initial trials were successful, there have been some small challenges to overcome along the way: “I have had to learn what the buttons on the hand control do and the right ones to press. I know that I am safe no matter what which has helped me build confidence in using it. We have also worked on systems to stop my blankets from sliding off the bed as I roll. I now use a longer pillow and have an extended cord so that I can reach the control once I have rolled”
One of the biggest benefits is that some of Caitlin’s services have been able to reduce from 2 carers to 1. This has had numerous benefits for Caitlin, including; services being scheduled at more flexible times, rather than when 2 carers are available and the use of the funds to provide other meaningful supports. “I now have a massage at home every week! This is helping my muscles to get a good stretch. I couldn’t do this before as I needed carers here and didn’t have enough support hours. Now I can roll myself during the massage and the Vendlet will hold me in the position that the massage therapist needs. None of these things were possible before!”
Caitlin gives an excited and hope-filled message to others who struggle to move themselves in bed, “Try it out! I don’t rely on my carers and family as much anymore and have so much more independence. I am never stuck in one position in bed anymore – I can move myself!”
For more information on the Vendlet Resident Positioning System please contact HLS Healthcare:
NSW – Todd 0427 874 141 –
VIC – Adrian 0428 935 934 – vendlet@hlshealthcare.com.au
SA – Katrina 0427 986 780 – katrinam@hlshealthcare.com.au
Other states
With special thanks – Blog written by Natasha Nutt, Movementum
Permission obtained from Caitlin to share her story.
VENDLET
| Requirement | Response VENDLET | |
|---|---|---|
| 3a | Each consumer is treated with dignity and respect, with their identity, culture and diversity valued. | The use of VENDLET supports the dignity and respect of consumers, provides low impact, low risk and low touch movements in bed. VENDLET also enables a single carer to safely complete movements, reducing staff effort and total movement time. |
VENDLET
| Requirement | Response VENDLET | |
|---|---|---|
| 3a | Each consumer gets safe and effective personal care, clinical care, or both personal care and clinical care, that: (i) ) is best practice; and ii) is tailored to their needs; and iii) optimises their health and well being | VENDLET provides consistent, safe and low impact movements for consumer's. The system allows for tailored movements based on the consumers needs. VENDLET reduces overall the time to turn, as the system only requires one carer to perform, avoiding the latency of finding two available carers. |
| 3b | Effective management of high impact or high prevalence risks associated with the care of each consumer. | VENDLET reduces risk to consumers by providing low impact movements at a consistent speed. The process is controlled by a single carer, one handed, allowing them to focus on the wellbeing of the consumer during the movement. VENDLET Bari support bariatric consumers which often present as higher risk, allowing for consistent, dignified, low impact movements. |
| 3c | The needs, goals and preferences of consumers nearing the end of life are recognised and addressed, their comfort maximised and their dignity preserved. | VENDLET assists in maximising the comfort of consumers during movements. Often this activity can be obtrusive and disruptive. VENDLET supports the dignity and respect of consumers, provides low impact, low risk and low touch movements in bed. |
| 3d | Deterioration or change of a consumer’s mental health, cognitive or physical function, capacity or condition is recognised and responded to in a timely manner | Using VENDLET for mobility challenged consumers reduces the physical impact that restricted bed rest can cause. Regular turning helps prevent risk of pressure wounds and bed sores through increased hygiene activities. VENDLET reduces overall the time to turn, as the system only requires one carer to perform, avoiding the latency of finding two available carers. |
| 3g | Minimisation of infection related risks through implementing: (i) standard and transmission based precautions to prevent and control infection; and (ii) practices to promote appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use to support optimal care and reduce the risk of increasing resistance to antibiotics. | VENDLET supports low touch movements with only a single carer, reducing the risk of infection transmission. With regular turning, the likelihood of pressure wounds and associated infections are greatly reduced. |
VENDLET
| Requirement | Response VENDLET | |
|---|---|---|
| 3a | Each consumer gets safe and effective services and supports for daily living that meet the consumer’s needs, goals and preferences and optimise their independence, health, well being and quality of life. | The use of VENDLET supports the dignity and respect of consumers, providing low impact, low risk and low touch movements in bed. |
| 3g | Where equipment is provided, it is safe, suitable, clean and well maintained. | The VENDLET design makes it easy to clean and maintain hygiene standards. VENDLET equipment can be cleaned with a damp cloth using warm water and a mild soap solution. For disinfection, disinfectant wipes with up to an 85% solution of isopropyl or a damp cloth using warm water and a disinfectant cleaner. The VENDLET Slide and turning sheets can be removed and cleaned, independently of each other. Slide Sheet washing instructions: 60 degrees, do not tumble dry, do not iron. Turning sheet washing instructions: max 95 degrees, tumble dry at normal temperatures, iron at approximately 150 degrees. HLS recommends an annual maintenance check by a qualified technician. |
VENDLET
| Requirement | Response VENDLET | |
|---|---|---|
| 3b | The service environment: (i) is safe, clean, well maintained and comfortable; and (ii) enables consumers to move freely, both indoors and outdoors. | The VENDLET design makes it easy to clean and maintain hygiene standards. VENDLET equipment can be cleaned with a damp cloth using warm water and a mild soap solution. For disinfection, disinfectant wipes with up to an 85% solution of isopropyl or a damp cloth using warm water and a disinfectant cleaner. The VENDLET Slide and turning sheets can be removed and cleaned, independently of each other. Slide Sheet washing instructions: 60 degrees, do not tumble dry, do not iron. Turning sheet washing instructions: max 95 degrees, tumble dry at normal temperatures, iron at approximately 150 degrees. |
| 3c | Furniture, fittings and equipment are safe, clean, well maintained and suitable for the consumer. | The VENDLET design makes it easy to clean and maintain hygiene standards. VENDLET equipment can be cleaned with a damp cloth using warm water and a mild soap solution. For disinfection, disinfectant wipes with up to an 85% solution of isopropyl or a damp cloth using warm water and a disinfectant cleaner. The VENDLET Slide and turning sheets can be removed and cleaned, independently of each other. Slide Sheet washing instructions: 60 degrees, do not tumble dry, do not iron. Turning sheet washing instructions: max 95 degrees, tumble dry at normal temperatures, iron at approximately 150 degrees. HLS recommends an annual maintenance check by a qualified technician. |
VENDLET
| Requirement | Response VENDLET | |
|---|---|---|
| 3a | The workforce is planned to enable, and the number and mix of members of the workforce deployed enables, the delivery and management of safe and quality care and service. | VENDLET reduces staff requirements for consumer's in bed movements and allows carers of lower strength to manage movements on their own. |
| 3b | Workforce interactions with consumers are kind, caring and respectful of each consumer’s identity, culture and diversity. | The use of VENDLET supports the dignity and respect of consumers, provides low impact, low risk and low touch movements in bed. The process is controlled by a single carer, one handed, allowing them to focus on the wellbeing of the consumer during the movement. |
| 3c | The workforce is competent and members of the workforce have the qualifications and knowledge to effectively perform their roles. | VENDLET allows for more carers to perform consumer movements by reducing the physical requirement for lifting and turning. |
| 3d | The workforce is recruited, trained, equipped and supported to deliver the outcomes required by these standards. | HLS provides VENDLET training courses, material and attendance certificates to aged care staff. This includes online content where in person training is not available. |
VENDLET
| Requirement | Response VENDLET | |
|---|---|---|
| 3b | The organisation’s governing body promotes a culture of safe, inclusive and quality care and services and is accountable for their delivery. | Investing in VENDLET solutions delivers enhanced quality services and reduced risks for consumers and carers. |
| 3d | Effective risk management systems and practices, including but not limited to the following: (i) managing high impact or high prevalence risks associated with the care of consumers (ii) identifying and responding to abuse and neglect of consumers (iii) supporting consumers to live the best life they can. | VENDLET reduces risk to consumers by providing low impact movements at a consistent speed. The process is controlled by a single carer, one handed, allowing them to focus on the wellbeing of the consumer during the movement. VENDLET Bari supports bariatric consumers which often present as higher risk, allowing for consistent, dignified, low impact movements. |
