We don’t want anyone left out of Halloween celebrations, so we are continually developing new innovative ways to make Halloween accessible for all. Read on to get some great ideas and find products that can help bring the experience to life.

Some simple swaps can make Halloween more accessible.

Swap Face Masks for Face Paint

Instead of using masks as a part of the fancy dress experience, use face paint.

For visually impaired children, masks can hinder their sight, and for children who rely on lip-reading, masks can obstruct a person’s mouth. Children with autism sometimes have sensory sensitivities, and masks could be too intensely stimulating.

The best alternative is face paint, as you can adapt the design to be more inclusive and suitable for various conditions and disabilities.

Trick or Treating

If you plan on venturing outside, make sure you have the relevant mobility aids for children, making the experience as comfortable as possible.

Youngsters who use a wheelchair and need help manoeuvring in and out of it can use non-slip floor mats. Floor mats can give the child the support and grip required to manoeuvre into their wheelchair. Whilst out and about, feet don’t always stay on the wheelchair footrest, but having grip roll that’s stuck to the footplate prevents feet from slipping off, avoiding injury and maintaining comfort.

A trial run of the trick or treat route you will take, completed a day before, can help reassure children.

Adults and children alike can have allergies. One of the most common is a nut allergy, so make sure you stock a variety of treats that all children can enjoy, which avoids children feeling left out and prevents them from consuming foods that cause an allergic reaction.

Sometimes drinks are given out as all the candy has run out, or the child requires a drink at the end of trick or treating. Either way, you may need a bottle opener. At Tenura, we have a grip-enhancing bottle opener that helps you open bottles with more comfort and grip.

Rather than going outside and trick or treating, you can hide the treats around the house as a treasure hunt. You can place them in areas you know are manageable for children at the party.

Prevent Spillages

Some children have trouble with their hand-eye coordination. But placing sweet bowls and drinks on anti-slip table mats and drinks coasters can prevent spillages. They are brightly coloured, so easy to see. Tenura mats are also easy to wipe down and protect furniture from stains.

It may be a good idea to take a drink out with you whilst you trick or treat, and a Tenura silicone CupCap drinks cover can make any drinks container spill-proof.

Pumpkin Carving

Carving pumpkins is a staple of Halloween, but it can be dangerous. By sliding Tenura children’s cutlery grips onto the carving knife, the child’s grip is maintained on the knife’s handle, making the knife less likely to slip out of their hand. Children’s cutlery grips make handles larger and easier to hold. Some children have difficulty grasping thin handles, so this is a perfect way to make pumpkin carving accessible.

To prevent the pumpkin from moving whilst you carve, you can place it on a Tenura anti-slip table mat.

If your child cannot participate in pumpkin carving, consider sticking items such as colourful pom-poms, fluffy pipe cleaners, and googly eyes to the pumpkin instead, which significantly reduces any risks involved.

Mark Your Home

Let others know that people in the home have conditions that require patience and understanding. You can do this by placing a sign visible to those coming up your driveway. Parents can read the sign and educate their children before approaching the door.

 

We hope these tips and tricks have given you some inspiration to make Halloween more accessible for various disabilities. If you have any other ideas you would like to share, let us know via our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

Happy Halloween!

Initially, this observance day was known as WFOT Occupational Therapy International Day, until 2010 when it was renamed Occupation Therapy Day/World OT Day. The observation day became official and globally recognised in 2010.

The organisation behind OT day is the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, WFOT, which provides a supportive community for occupational therapists globally with over 100 organisations and 580,000 occupational therapists in their membership program. Their key goals are to provide a "global voice for occupational therapists" and "set the standards" for OT practices. They want to educate their members with the latest industry news and techniques, delivering this via their approved education programmes.

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists is pushing the focus this year on displaced persons and marginalised communities and how best to support them as occupational therapists.

This crucial topic is at the forefront of people's minds following shifts in the soci­oen­vi­ron­mental climate following the recent events and those seeking refuge from Afghanistan.

World OT Day 2021 Theme

This year's World OT Day theme is "Belong. Be you.", which lends itself to their latest initiative. They are releasing content regarding diversity, adversity and inclusion, and how we can work together to improve community relations and resilience. We all come across struggles in daily life. Some people in our local and global communities have a more challenging time overcoming adversity, recently highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement and the scenes in Kabul following the evacuation of troops in Afghanistan.

For some readers, you may be unaware of the essential work that occupational therapists do, especially concerning the above. Still, this blog will demonstrate how vital their role is in our communities and why we need to show our support.

Occupational therapists can help those living in crisis or transitioning to a new location after seeking asylum. They can utilise socio-political occupational therapy techniques to help patients further. They can help by giving a person structure to their daily lives to provide a sense of normalcy. Their work improves the patient's mental health and integration into their new local communities. Integration is paramount and can be acquired through education and bridging the gap between cultural differences. These techniques aim to develop the patient's independence.

As you can imagine, moving to a new area or even country, things can vary, from the types of food to the typical clothing fashions. It was not a choice for displaced humans to move, and the migration was involuntary or even coerced. These people could be fleeing persecution, war/conflict and violations of their human rights. So, understanding culture is beneficial for all parties involved, especially as there may be a language barrier in the initial move.

If you are an OT and want to improve your knowledge surrounding this years theme, there are two free courses available from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists website:

• WFOT Disaster Management for Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy: Working with Displaced Persons

Get Involved in World OT Day 2021

You can be involved in World OT Day via the #WorldOTDay hashtag, post a picture of you celebrating at your practice and help spread awareness. They also have some social media images and other content you can use to help promote World OT Day via their website.

Other hashtags you can use include:

• #WorldOc­cu­pati­onal­The­rapyDay
• #Occu­pati­onal­The­rapyDay
• #WFOTOc­cu­pati­onal­The­rapy­In­ter­nati­onalDay

The WFOT has partnered with PromOTing Occupational Therapy. Their theme is to "Pay it Forward", calling Occupational Therapist practitioners and students globally to volunteer some of their time to help make a difference in the world. They have also made a map detailing the countries that have taken part over the years.

If you are looking for some accounts to follow so you can share their content and join in on the conversation, be sure to view:

• World Federation of Occupational Therapists
• World OT Day
• Tenura's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts

We Support World OT Day + Claim Your Free Gift

We want to give away a pack of 4 anti-slip coasters with any purchase. The drinks coasters are made from non-slip silicone, which prevents drinks from being easily knocked over and spilling. To claim the free gift, add the discount code FREECOASTEROTD at checkout. We hope you have enjoyed this blog and will get involved in this years OT day. Make sure you don't miss out on other healthcare observation days and future free gifts by subscribing to our blog.

Please note, you must spend over £10 on the Tenura website to redeem the offer via the discount code. The promotion is running from 14/10/21 to 14/11/21.

This year Global Arthritis Day will be held on the 12th of October. There are many global awareness days, which are vital, as they bring important topics to the forefront of people's minds. The Arthritis Foundation organises this awareness day, and you can join in on the action by using the hashtag #Cure­Art­hri­tisWAD.

Let's explore some interesting facts and other ways you can be involved in Global Arthritis Day 2021…

Interesting Origin Facts of Arthritis

It might be interesting for you to learn that the word arthritis comes from the Greek language. The word 'arthro' means joints, and 'itis' means inflamed. Inflamed joints is one of the main symptoms of Arthritis. often those with arthritis feel pain in affected areas, see reddening skin, and find their muscles feel tired/weak.

The earliest records of arthritis being present in humans' dates back to 4500 BC.

Who is Affected by Arthritis?

In the UK, over ten million people live with arthritis or equivalent condition, of which 400,000 have rheumatoid arthritis, the second most prevalent type of arthritis, the first being osteoarthritis, which affects approximately 8.5 million people. There are over one hundred types of arthritis worldwide.

Another fact that will shock you is that women are three times more likely to contract arthritis than men. The reason is that women's bones can move around more. Women have relaxed, natural bone positioning and a smooth, skeletal system that allows for more flexibility, but if a movement is performed incorrectly, it can lead to significant injury.

Men have bones coarse in texture and more defined muscle attachment. These two characteristics allow muscle connective tissue, tendons and ligaments to attach better to the bone, creating stronger supporting muscles that prevent improper movement in the joints. Women also experience bone density loss during menopause which can impact the development of arthritis.

Most types of arthritis begin in a person's late 40s to early 50s. However, children can get forms of arthritis, and the term for this is juvenile arthritis. They will likely be given casts/splints to help with movements and for support. 27,000 people under the age of 25 have arthritis in the UK, and of those, 12,000 are children.

Getting Treatment for Arthritis

As there is no known cure for arthritis, many treatments focus on reducing the pain the person experiences. Often you will be referred to a specialist in physiotherapy who can help combat the pain associated with arthritis.

Physi­ot­he­rapists can demonstrate posture improvements to their patient's and ways tskeleto move and maintain healthy joints to prevent further injury to the affected area. To help maintain activity levels, improve joint strength and motion, they can set goals to help you stay as active as possible. Physi­ot­he­rapists can also develop a personalised plan of pain-free exercises. If you do have any questions regarding your condition, they are full of advice surrounding arthritis.

In conjunction with joint exercises, physi­ot­he­rapists use pain relief treatments. Such techniques include massages, acupuncture, or thermotherapy methods. Thermotherapy uses temperature to improve blood circulation, tissue metabolism and elasticity.

To get this professional help for your arthritis, or if you suspect you have arthritis, you will first likely need to visit your GP, and they can refer you to a specialist. You can source a private physiotherapist through research online and a self-referral.

World Arthritis Day Themes

For the past four years, Global Arthritis Day's have had themes. It started in 2017 with the theme, "Don't Delay, Connect Today." This concept focused on accessibility to treatments for those with arthritis and emphasised the importance of early diagnosis. Spreading awareness of the symptoms can give a person the confidence to self-diagnose and seek a GP's advice.

 

Following this, in 2018, the theme for World Arthritis Day was "It's in your hands, take action.", which highlighted that healthcare is available for those living with arthritis and is more accessible thanks to last years WAD efforts. People need to visit their GP when symptoms occur for early diagnosis and treatments. Going untreated can cause further damage to the affected joints.

2019 and 2020 brought us the "Time2Work" theme, which emphasises company accessibility for people with arthritis. It also helped employers recognise ways to make workplaces more accessible and gave advice for employees on returning to work following rehabilitation.

2021's theme is not yet released, but we will update you via our socials as soon as more information becomes available, so be sure you follow us on one of the following platforms, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Those living with arthritis have the opportunity to aid medical research teams in discovering new drug treatments and be a part of changing laws and other legislation regarding arthritis, making things more accessible and less discriminatory. This can be done by enrolling on the Time2Research campaign, which runs all year-round.

Get Involved in World Arthritis Day

You can be involved in World Arthritis Day via the #Cure­Art­hri­tisWAD, post a picture and show your support to the cause. Join us, Tenura, and hundreds of other companies this WAD.

There are many dates throughout the year that help spread awareness and raise money for medical research. We have detailed some below:

• 2nd of February - Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
• 20th of May - World Autoimmune and Auto-Inflammatory Arthritis Day
• June - Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
• 13th - 18th of September Rheumatoid Arthritis Week

Arthritis Aids & Your Free Gift

At Tenura, we have some brilliant arthritis aids that help those with arthritic hands perform daily tasks like opening bottles or turning taps. For help with these tasks, you may require a Tenura bottle opener. For larger containers such as jars or cleaning products, you may need a Tenura jar opener.

Tenura bottle and jar openers have many great benefits for people with arthritis and can be especially helpful in the following areas:

• Less muscle and grip strength is required to open twist-top containers when using a Tenura jar or bottle opener.
• Each bottle/jar opener can provide extra grip on other items around the home or workplace, such as taps, doorknobs and cupboard handles.
• Useful for people with arthritis or any condition that weakens hand grip as bottle openers/jar openers reduce the grip strength required to complete the same task, making it a more manageable and comfortable experience.
• You can use bottle openers in environments where a high hygiene standard must be maintained, which is vital for those who have had surgery for arthritis or have exposed skin from irritation and itching, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Tenura jar and bottle openers improve comfort due to their silicone structure. They protect your hands from the ribbed surface of many bottle and jar lids.

To qualify for a free Tenura bottle opener, you must spend £20+ at the Tenura web store and use the discount code BOTTLE20. To be eligible for a Tenura jar opener instead, spend £30+ via our website, and use the discount code JAR30.

This promotion is running from 04/10/21 to 25/10/21.

If you are interested in subjects like this and want to get exclusive deals in the future, make sure you subscribe to our blog.

In our previous blog, we explored Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Today we are looking at Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). 

What does IADL mean?

Instrumental activities of daily living, IADLs, are tasks we perform each day that keep our bodies healthy, allowing us to live independently and as active community members. Both mental and physical health factors impact these complex tasks involved in our day-to-day lives.

What are the 7 IADLS?

The seven IADLs are practised by most physi­ot­he­rapists and occupational therapists, helping determine the level of care their patient requires and any assistive products that could help the patient during the completion of their IADLs.

Due to illness, surgery or disability, some patients may need more help in an area than others, so it is essential to review each patient individually. The seven IADLs and some helpful products:

1. Communication

In our homes, we constantly communicate with one another and the outside world through channels such as mail, emails and phone calls. Being able to stay in touch with others is essential to daily life. It allows you to pay the bills and let others know how you are doing. It's great to stay in touch with people, providing the feeling of connection and companionship.

Many older adults, especially since lockdown, have been alone for a significant length of time, and a little phone call can be the highlight of their day. The older generation hates to feel like a burden, and sometimes they can avoid reaching out, even when they need it the most.

Handling mail poses difficulties, from confusing forms to tiny text. Older adults may find writing tricky and require a writing aid. At Tenura, we have cutlery grips that slide onto pens increasing the handle's grip, comfort and width. A thicker pen means less dexterity is required to hold it.

2. Transportation

We have to leave the house for many reasons like getting fresh air, going shopping or meeting up with friends. Navigating outside the house can be daunting for those with mobility impairments due to the potential risk of slip and fall accidents. Building up confidence with a walking aid could reassure the user to once again go outside independently.

Walking aids such as Zimmer frames can be further adapted to meet a person's specific needs. For example, wrapping Tenura grip strips around the handle improves grip and hold, perfect for those lacking grip strength.

For some, a wheelchair is a more appropriate mobility aid. To get in and out of the wheelchair independently, walking aids can be a great help, along with a Tenura non-slip floor mat. By having a good foothold, you can move more easily without the risks. Tenura silicone floor mat has adhesive like qualities, giving you a secure footing as the mat won't slide out from under your feet.

For some, a guide dog or other assistance animal is required or help them navigate. You will need to talk to a specialist charity to access this type of assistance.

3. Cooking/­Feeding

Cooking involves many risks and challenges, especially if the person has a disability that affects their use of cooking equipment.

Tenura sells silicone grip roll, which is grip-enhancive, increasing a person's ability to hold onto knives and other larger utensils.

Knives are often heavily used in a kitchen for food prep, and good, comfortable grip is vital. Keeping cutting knives sharp is also important, as a dull knife can lead to a lack of control. Using Tenura grip strips or grip roll on the handle of a knife when cutting with or sharpening knives can help reduce the likelihood of accidents and injury. A Tenura anti-slip mat can be placed under chopping boards to increase grip with the surface and further prevent slips.

Tenura anti-slip mats create a non-slip surface for plates and bowls to rest when spreading or mixing. A non-slip surface allows you to perform these function with more control and less risk of spills or injury. Tenura anti-slip mats are particularly useful if you only have the use of one hand or arm, as it will hold plates and bowls in place for you.

You can wrap Tenura grip roll around panhandles as it's heat resistant (up to 250°C), stopping hands from getting burnt during the cooking process.

Feeding can be a struggle for people with conditions such as arthritis or Parkinson's due to weakened grip or hand tremors, but using Tenura cutlery grips can add comfort due to the increased handle's width that makes cutlery easier to hold. Cutlery grips can slide onto many kitchen utensils to improve grip. For any utensils too large to fit, wrap Tenura silicone grip roll around the handle instead. 

Tenura sells silicone grip roll, which is grip-enhancive, increasing a person's ability to hold onto knives and other larger utensils. You can wrap Tenura grip roll around panhandles as it's heat resistant (up to 250°C), stopping hands from getting burnt during the cooking process.

Opening jars and containers can be tricky too. We have all found jars tough to open, but you can use a Tenura jar opener to enhance grip on jar lids and other large containers with a twist-off cap. They reduce the amount of force necessary, which puts less strain on muscles and joints.

4. Shopping

Shopping involves the IADL, transportation, as people need to get to the shops, such as supermarkets or pharmacies. Of course, they could shop online, which has its own set of difficulties, from computer literacy to website accessibility.

Going shopping requires many skills, such as writing shopping lists, budgeting, self-control and forethought. Mobility, another IADL, has a key role in this activity as mobility around shops is crucial.

You can adapt your mobility aids to make them more comfortable. Wheelchair users can line the wheelchair's footrest to stop feet from sliding off. Cut Tenura silicone grip roll to a suitable size, peel away the backing and apply it to the footrest for improved grip. If you have a wheelchair with a shelf, you can line it with Tenura grip roll, which means your shopping will remain in place and won't slide around, thanks to silicone's gripping properties.

Writing shopping lists can also be beneficial, as it keeps things organised and helps you budget.

5. Housework

Many jobs fall under the umbrella term of housework, including cleaning the bathroom, dusting and hoovering, folding clothes, and putting them away. Each of these tasks requires different movements and actions.

Mobility issues can prevent someone from completing housework, as tasks are no longer manageable with their condition. Avoiding housework creates many problems. The house can fall into disarray, becoming a health risk and negatively affect mental health.

Those with limited mobility may find one or more of these daily activities tricky, but carers or products can help. A person can use non-slip mats to remain organised. You can apply Tenura Extreme mats to walls and stick dry objects such as keys or kitchen utensils to their surface, making them highly visible. There are two colours available; clear and green. We suggest using the green Tenura Extreme mat as a visual aid to make belongings stand out for someone with a visual impairment.

Some jobs require heavy lifting, such as taking rubbish outside. Other tasks require a mechanical or electrical engineer, meaning a professional needs to be called, which plays into the IADL, communication.

6. Medications

Those who require assistance with their instrumental activities of daily living sometimes have a condition that requires medication. Being able to self-medicate, following the directions of your doctors is essential. Overdosing or forgetting to take your medication runs serious risks.

Some products can help, such as alarms and daily pillboxes. But certain people, such as those with dementia, can forget to take their pills entirely and will only be confused by the alarm or box. They will require a carer who can keep track of their intake. 

At Tenura, we sell bottle openers that are grip-enhancing, so if it's the child lock/lack of grip that is stopping them from managing their medication, this nifty gadget could be a good investment.

Contacting and communicating symptoms with doctors is essential for prescribing correct medications. Notebooks can help record new symptoms, dosage, and expiration dates and can be a great tool to help with diagnosis and future prescriptions.

7. Finances

Writing shopping lists, putting aside savings, and budgeting properly is an important life skill. Some people need help in this area as having a lack of control over your finances considerably strains mental health.

Finance plays into another IADL, communication. Bills and spam can come through the post, and it can be challenging to distinguish between the two, especially for vulnerable people, who are more susceptible to scammer's tricks. It may be worthwhile a carer checking over the persons mail prior.

Some people are forgetful, so setting up direct debits circumvents issues. Online banking allows individuals to access banking services all in one place, essential for those struggling with transportation, another IADL.

Finances can be a tricky subject to approach, but it's a serious topic that needs addressing. Luckily those struggling with IADLs are more likely to reach out as these activities tend to be less personal than ADLs.

 

We hope you can take some inspiration from this blog, including helpful tips and products. You can explore the full Tenura range via our website.

Above we have listed some solutions, but without talking to the person struggling with IADLs, you can't fully understand the best method of help, which is imperative when finding a suitable solution. We hope this blog has given you some good ideas. For more help on similar topics and exclusive product discounts, subscribe to the Tenura blog.

In this blog, we explore the importance of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and what they are. It's essential to get a clear understanding so you can better care for a patient or family member. Plus, we have rounded up some brilliant products that promote independent living by making ADLs manageable.

What does ADL stand for?

ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living, which comprises of five basic tasks required to live an independent and healthy life. Members of the population who have recently received surgery or have disabilities/a condition, such as arthritis, can struggle to complete daily tasks. They are accessed individually, allowing carers to detect areas where the client needs additional help.

What are the 5 ADLS?

1. Personal Hygiene

A person must be able to keep a suitable level of hygiene to meet the standards of ADLs. A person may not meet their needs due to a disability. Some wheelchair users may struggle due to limited mobility, making tasks such as bathing tricky.

Another reason could be the side effects of the medication, causing depression. People with depression tend to disregard bathing. Those with depression usually have decreased energy levels, making bathing an overwhelming or neglected aspect of their life.

Personal hygiene extends beyond just bathing and encompasses brushing your teeth and hair, looking after your nails, feet, scalp, oral hygiene, and ear organ hygiene. There are many areas of our body we need to care for to make sure we stay healthy. Personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of diseases, so it's essential.

Not brushing your teeth can lead to bad breath, toothache, the loss of teeth and even gum cancer.

There are products on the market that can aid with specific issues a person may encounter during these tasks. At Tenura, we have developed cutlery grips, an adaptive aid you slip cutlery or utensils like toothbrushes, combs, and other hygiene-related products into, to increase the handle's width. Thin handles can prevent those with limited dexterity in their hands from having proper control. The silicone structure of the cutlery grips is grip-enhancive.

2. Dressing

From selecting clothes to putting them on, this task requires a variety of movement types. Lifting your arms and putting them through your shirt sleeves involves large mobility movements, whereas buttoning the shirt requires more finicky actions. For people with conditions such as arthritis, the manoeuvrability of limbs and hands is limited, making putting clothes on tricky. There are so many dressing aids to help with the different aspects of getting dressed.

Getting dressed shouldn't be a painful experience, and we realised that many of these dressing aids have thin metal handles, making them tricky to hold for those with limited mobility in their hands. But we have a solution. By cutting Tenura grip roll into strips and building up a thicker handle, you can make dressing aids more comfortable to grasp. Tenura grip roll is made from our grip-enhancing silicone, so your hands will not slide off the handle like they would with the use of the metal handle alone.

Being unable to change clothes or get undressed can affect other activities of daily living. Remaining in the same clothes for days would lead to poor personal hygiene and allow germs to breed, which could cause illness. Another affected daily living activity would be continence due to the inability to unbutton your trousers to use the toilet.

 

3. Eating

Children are a great example of the stages a person may be at when eating. Babies need complete assistance during the task, whereas toddlers have developed partial fine motor skills to hold cutlery and complete the actions required to transport the food from their plate to their mouth. Following this, at 5/6 years old, they can fully feed themselves. You need to evaluate your child's capabilities just as you do with persons in your care. Some people will require full assistance during meal times, whereas those who have some fine motor skills and the coordination necessary to move the food from the plate to their mouth may benefit from the use of adaptive products.

You can add Tenura cutlery grips to the handle's of your eating utensils, such as your knife or fork, to increase the handle's width, making using cutlery comfortable as the utensils are easier to hold. They also are made from 100% silicone which gives them grip-enhancing properties, stopping the cutlery from sliding out of your grasp. We have children's cutlery grips for smaller hands.

Getting the right foods is essential to health. The body needs the correct nutrients to work effectively and fight off infection. Food also gives the body energy to complete other daily living activities.

 

4. Continence

Being able to go to the toilet and control your bowels is another essential daily task. A person may not be capable of controlling their bladder or can't physically move to the bathroom. Understanding the root problem can allow you to put things in place to help the individual.

Bathroom floors tend to be shiny and smooth, making getting on and off the toilet tricky as you can't get a foothold, but we have come up with clever ideas to help those struggling to use the toilet safely.

If a person struggles to get up from the toilet, the use of grab rails can be helpful. But you may find them uncomfortable to hold and not as grip-enhancing as you would like. By wrapping Tenura grip strips around the grab rail handle, you can improve both comfort and grip due to the soft yet grip-enhancing properties of the silicone grip strips.

The contour rug you have around your toilet can be made safer using a Tenura non-slip floor mat underneath. Place your Tenura floor mat under your bathroom rugs to add additional non-slip properties making the bathroom rug extra secure whilst keeping the aesthetic of your bathroom. The non-slip properties mean rugs won't slide but instead will provide a reliable surface to manoeuvre on and off the toilet.

Tenura floor mats have adhesive-like properties that help keep bathroom rugs in place. The floor mat sticks itself to the floor, preventing the rug from moving and allowing the person on the toilet to get a proper foothold without the risk of slips and falls.

If necessary, you can remove the floor mat, and upon removal, no residue will be left behind.

Please note that the Tenura silicone range loses its non-slip properties when wet.

 

5. Mobility

Moving around, whether that's to go to the kitchen for food, or the bathroom, it's critical to health. A person may find their mobility is compromised following injury, surgery or a medical condition. A person may have difficulty in certain areas. For some, they may require hoists around the house or live-in care. Others can get by with a simple Tenura non-slip floor mat that gives them grip and increased confidence when completing activities of daily living. Non-slip floor mats provide a foothold for the user, even on slippery floors. You can use them around the house, beside beds or sofas to help you manoeuvre safely.

It may be worthwhile installing Tenura non-slip bath stickers, which aid a person with mobility in bathrooms or areas frequently exposed to water. You can line a bath or shower's base with Tenura bath stickers. They apply best to smooth surfaces, providing the area is cleaned first with an alcohol-based cleaner (cream-based cleaners leave behind a powder residue that causes the stickers to lift). For more information, please read our application bath stickers blog.

 

Now you have a basic understanding of the products that can help patients or family members overcome the struggles associated with activities of daily living. We hope this blog has given you ideas to provide further support and find effective products for anyone in your care.

For more content like this, subscribe to our newsletter, and we will email you with our latest blog updates, including industry news and exclusive offers.

 

FIME is an exhibition of medical technologies and has been taking place since 1991. It’s a well established medical industry show which encompasses state-of-the-art technology manufactured by cutting edge businesses, including Tenura.

We’ve been participating in the FIME exhibition for three years and are so excited to join in on the action again this year. We can’t wait to see you at our exhibition booth, J54. The exhibition is at Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, 33139, Miami Beach, Florida, United States. Come to the stand to trial our products and get in-depth knowledge of Tenura via our brand ambassador, Mathew.

The exhibition opening hours are 10am to 5pm, Wednesday and Thursday, on Friday it closes at 4pm, and there is plenty to see each day. It is the largest healthcare show in the Americas, with over 500 companies participating from more than 40 countries this year. Many educational talks inform you of the latest news and practices, with seminars on topics including The Healthcare Supply Chain and Procurement, Imaging and Diagnostics, and Patient Safety.

Tenura silicone daily living aids are undisputed leaders in the industry. Our range boasts antimicrobial properties that protect you from harmful germs, making them perfect for the ever-increasing health-conscious population.

This year is a little different compared to the previous. Due to the Coronavirus, specific measures and procedures are in place to maintain visitors and exhibitors’ safety. You can find all the information you need before attending the event via FIME’s Coronavirus information page.

We also want to say a big congratulations to the FIME Exhibition organisation who are celebrating 30 years of the medical show, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Summer Paralympics, are you ready?

This quadrennial event is ready to take place in Tokyo this year. It will commence on Tuesday the 24th of August and conclude on Sunday the 5th of September. Via Channel 4, you can watch, be inspired and admire the talents of the Paralympians who are taking part.

In this blog, we are rounding up our favourite facts and exploring ways to make sports accessible for those with disabilities.

Some Interesting Facts about the Paralympics

Since 1960, the Paralympic games have been bringing the best-disabled athletes to internationally recognised sporting arenas. Although, before the Paralympics creation, disabled people did and still can compete in the Olympics. The criteria is and always will be to qualify to gain entry.

Paralympians stand up against adversity and have accepted the challenge to overcome their disability and make the most of it. The games and athletes are awe-inspiring, which often leads to a vast uptake in sports globally.

One hundred seventy countries and over four thousand Paralympians are to take part in the Tokyo Paralympics 2021.

There are Six Terms to Segment the Athletes:

The classification system within the Paralympics helps keep the competition fair and safe. The six segments are as follows:

• Amputee
• Cerebral Palsy
• Intellectual Disability
• Wheelchair
• Vision Impaired
• Les Autres/Others

There are 22 Summer Paralympic Sports

There are 22 summer paralympic games for athletes to compete in, with the two newest sports debuting at the Tokyo games, badminton and taekwondo.

Archery	Rowing
Athletics	Shooting Para Sport
Badminton	Sitting volleyball
Boccia	Swimming
Canoeing	Table Tennis
Cycling	Taekwondo
Equestrian	Triathlon
Football 5-a-side	Wheelchair Basketball
Goalball	Wheelchair Fencing
Judo	Wheelchair Rugby
Powerlifting	Wheelchair Tennis

Paralympic Only Sporting Events

Above are two Paralympic sports that have no Olympic counterpart, so let's explore them:

Boccia

Boccia is a mixed-gender turn-taking sport.

Initially, this game was curated with cerebral palsy players in mind. However, now many types of disabled people compete, often those with reduced motor skills.

There are many variants of this game worldwide. For example, in the UK, we have Lawn Bowling, the French have Pétanque, and the Italians have Bocce. They all fall under the umbrella term Boules. You throw/roll your balls as close to the target as possible, and your competitors try to beat your attempt.

One team is red, the other blue, and their target is a white ball. 

Goalball

Goalball, intended to be played by those who are visually impaired/blind. This game sees three participants per team use their hands to throw or roll the ball into the opponent's net, relying on senses other than sight, mainly hearing. Ear-hand coordination is imperative to compete as the ball contains bells inside that players rely on to understand its velocity. Non-disabled players should wear eyepatches and eyeshades to prevent sight. A Goalball game last for 12 minutes a half, 24 minutes in total. 

Adapted Technology for Sports

As a disabled person, finding a way into sports of any kind can be tricky, as they aren't always accessible. An example of this is an amputee taking up running. Running is defined as "the activity of going somewhere quickly on foot, as a sport or for pleasure:" - Cambridge Dictionary.

To make this sport accessible to amputees, a universally designed running shoe is not going to help. However, ergonomic adaptive equipment such as running blades can allow an amputee to participate in running events.

How to Make Sports More Accessible with Tenura Products

Let's look at ways Tenura products can help disabled people participate in sports and adapt their equipment further for better results and comfort.

Open Drinks with a Bottle Opener

When you are working out and training, you don't want your bottle lid to get between you and that fresh sip of water, so take a Tenura bottle opener to the gym. Tenura bottle openers are made of silicone that's grip-enhancing.

For people with arthritis, twisting and exerting strength through their wrists and hands is tricky and limited, so having this aid is beneficial.

Non-Slip Floor Mats for Mobility

When participating in events as a wheelchair user or someone who uses a walking aid, you may need an extra bit of grip to help you move from one mobility aid to another. For example, in Wheelchair Basketball, there are specially designed wheelchairs for the sport, but getting into one can be a struggle.

By having a Tenura non-slip floor mat under your feet, you can feel secure knowing you have a good foothold and have reduced the risk of slipping when moving between mobility aids.

Non-Slip Strips under Handle Wraps

You can wrap Tenura grip strips around the handle of your golf club, badminton racket or baseball bat and then add your handle wraps. This additional layer adds comfort to the handle as Tenura silicone is soft and cushioning.

For a permanent solution, use Tenura adhesive-backed grip roll, cut it to size and wrap it around the handle of sports equipment.

We can only recommend Tenura grip strips in this application to increase handle surface area and comfort, not grip. Tenura grip strips, like the rest of our silicone range, lose their properties when wet. Use a recommended and approved handle wrap for this application once Tenura grip strips are applied.

Grip Roll for Indoor Cycling & Wheelchair Sports

When practising your cycling indoors on an exercise bike, cut down Tenura grip roll and attach it to the bike's pedals, which will give you an excellent foothold and prevent your feet from sliding off the pedals. This adaptive method can also be applied to cross trainers and other indoor gym equipment.

Note, grip roll and our other silicone products, when wet, lose their non-slip properties.

Experience the same benefits of non-slip pedals by attaching the gripping roll to your wheelchair's footrest for indoor games of Wheelchair Basketball.

Non-Slip Fabric to Stop Saddles and Exercise Mats Sliding

You can use Tenura non-slip fabric to prevent saddles from moving, cut the non-slip material to a suitable size and place it between the saddle pad and saddle. Now, as a rider, you can feel secure in the knowledge that Tenura grip fabric is doing its job and stopping any unwanted movement of the saddle. 

Tenura non-slip fabric is also beneficial placed under yoga mats or other exercise mats to prevent them from moving whilst you're completing your exercise. Unwanted movement from your mat during exercise could lead to injury. 

 

Tenura silicone is antimicrobial, perfect for use in areas where you will be around heavily used equipment that is likely carrying many germs and bacteria.

Adapting your equipment to be more disability-friendly can help when participating and taking up hobbies in sports. If you have any more ideas, you would like to share. We would love to hear your thoughts via our socials (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin).

(12/05/21 https://­dictionary.­cambridge.­org/­dictionary/­english/­running)

 

This blog post will explore the advantages both mentally and physically that owning a pet can have on someone with a disability such as arthritis.

Having a disability can affect your everyday life, harming your heart rate, communication and causing depression. However, a furry companion like a cat or dog can help to reverse the negative impact.

Owning a pet positively influences two main aspects of life, mood and health, which means pets affect the body in terms of decreasing rates of depression, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Let's explore these benefits in more detail…

Pets and Their Effect on Blood Pressure and Arthritis

With arthritis, inflammation can occur in joints, constricting arteries and reducing the rate blood can flow through the body to supply muscles with oxygen. The restricted flow leads to increased blood pressure, which is troubling for arthritis patients as they are at a 50% higher risk of heart attacks.

So, it's essential to reduce blood pressure, and pets can help. Pets have therapeutic calming auras. When a pet is in your lap, you talk, stroke and nestle into its warmth, forgetting your worries, which decreases your heart rate. When you are tired or nervous, it's nice to have a companion.

Pets can make a person feel safe in their home or when out and about; animals can be a security blanket, guard the person or their belongings, and be a protective barrier or conversation starter. Feeling safe and secure can also lower levels of anxiety and stress that heighten blood pressure.

 

Pets and Their Effect on Cholesterol Levels and Arthritis

Those with rheumatoid arthritis are at high risk of heart disease, 50% to 70% higher, and cholesterol is a contributing factor. Having elevated cholesterol levels in the body increases pain within joints and other tendon complications.

You may have high cholesterol levels due to long periods of stress, a lack of exercise or a poor diet containing too many saturated fats. Studies have shown that pets decrease the triglycerides present in the body. Triglycerides are the three fatty acids that contribute to high cholesterol levels.

Reducing cholesterol in the body can help keep heart disease at bay. To lower cholesterol levels, you should exercise daily for at least 30 minutes, and having a pet is an excellent excuse to go for a walk and is undoubtedly a great benefit. Having a pet with you can reduce the stress or anxiety you may feel when out walking.

 

Pets and Their Effect on Cognitive Behaviour/­Depression

It's estimated that up to 41% of disabled adults have depression, which is staggeringly high, and there is no one cure to suit all. Many factors cause depression in a person's life, and it can be a struggle to help change a person's mindset.

The companionship of a pet, a being they need to care for, can give a disabled person the necessary motivation and responsibility for a positive change. Caring for others can come more naturally than caring for yourself when struggling with depression, so an animal's natural temperament to play and exercise can have promising long-lasting effects on their mental state.

 

Pets Effect on the Elderly

Pet owners over 65 visit their doctor 30% fewer times than non-pet owners. There's no clear-cut reason, but the benefits of reduced stress, increased exercise, and companionship all help play their role.

 

Some Tenura Products that Make Pet Ownership Easier for the Disabled:

Tenura products can help those who have weak grip strength or conditions like arthritis care for their pets.

Tenura Extreme Grip Mats

When it comes to feeding your pet, they tend to be pretty eager, diving headfirst into their food bowl, knocking it around the floor, with no worry about the mess they create. You can prevent this previously inevitable mess by placing the pet's food bowl onto a Tenura Extreme mat. Tenura Extreme mats stop the food bowl from sliding across the floor or getting tipped over.

Nothing is sacred when you have a pet, they wonder where they please, and cats especially seem to find themselves upon the cabinets displaying your favourite ornaments. Instead of watching their next steps with fright, place your vases and such on a Tenura Extreme mat. The objects stick to Tenura mats, so the next time your cat is up there, you won't need to worry nor tidy up anything broken. 

Tenura Grip Roll

You can line underneath pet products such as litter trays, scratching posts and other large products that unwantedly move. Just cut Tenura silicone grip roll to size and place it between the floor and pet accessory.

Tenura Grip Strips

During walks, you may find that the lead is tricky to keep a hold of, and it's uncomfortable. You can instantly improve these issues by twisting Tenura grip strips around the lead's handle. Grip strips add a layer of cushioning silicone comfort with grip-enhancing properties that stops the lead from sliding out of your hand.

Similarly, you may wrap Tenura grip strips around the brushes handle when grooming your pet, which aids your grip, giving you more control. Brush handles can be thin and difficult to grasp, so build up a few layers of Tenura grip strips to increase the handle's width, which is a helpful idea for those with arthritis or other conditions that limit dexterity or strength of grip.

 

Extensive research into the animal should be completed before being housed, as not all animals/breeds will be appropriate. It's very much dependent on the person's specific disability needs.

Subscribe to be notified of new blogs and our latest offers. You get a 10% off code when you subscribe today!

Physi­ot­he­rapists assist and encourage the development of someone who has a disability, is injured, or requires assistance to complete activities of daily living. They do this via physio sessions, education and therapy. They support people with neurological conditions like strokes and Parkinson's, neuro­mus­cu­los­ke­letal problems such as back pain and arthritis. They also deal with a person's cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

So how can Tenura daily living aids assist the lives of Physi­ot­he­rapists and their Patients?

Grip-Enhancing Silicone Rolls for Physi­ot­he­rapists

You can wrap Tenura silicone roll around grab rails at the practice. This aids with a person's mobility as the silicone roll is grip-enhancing, making it perfect for people with weak grip strength. It also provides a layer of comfort for the user to hold. Use Tenura grip roll to adapt equipment making it more accessible for your patient, such as their pre-existing mobility aids.

You can make all sorts of grip aids from Tenura silicone rolls. You cut the roll down to the desired shape and wrap it around objects, including handles

Tenura grip roll can help with equipment application by keeping splints and other apparatus in a still position during physiotherapy rehabilitation sessions.

Some physi­ot­he­rapists use silicone roll for massage therapy on scar tissue. They say it softens tendons following surgery when used in conjunction with massage methods.

When positioning a patient during respiratory physiotherapy, Tenura non-slip roll can help with stabilisation. Positioning is the term used to promote optimal recovery and reduce the risk of pain and swelling.

Colour Contrast/Visual Aid Methods in Physiotherapy

When conducting forms of therapy with a partially sighted person, the contrast between objects is vital. For example, the phrase "it's black and white" means it's clear because there's a stark difference between them tonally, which helps individuals distinguish them. The majority of Tenura products come in vivid red, blue or yellow, making them excellent visual aids.

There are trip hazards everywhere you go, and in a clinic, you must reduce risks such as this. You can add strips of bright red or blue silicone roll to hazardous items, things such as door stops which are often grey and camouflage into their surroundings.

Red silicone roll works exceptionally well at highlighting danger, as it's customary to signify hazards and heat in this way. For instance, stop signs are red, and when you're running out of petrol, the gauge dips into the red. In your physiotherapy clinic, you can highlight steps, hot surfaces and other dangers effortlessly.

An example of using blue grip roll within the clinic could be to make light switches more prominent. Make table corners and other sharp edges that could cause harm to stand out by using strips of blue grip roll.

Red and blue silicone rolls come in two variants non-adhesive and adhesive-backed, the latter being a more permanent non-slip­/grip-enhancing solution. There are also pre-cut grip strips available from the Tenura website.

Non-Slip Floor Mat Uses in Physiotherapy

When aiding a wheelchair user in and out of a wheelchair, a non-slip floor mat can give them a foothold, stopping them from slipping. It can also provide a level of confidence to the user and make them more surefooted.

When a person is standing up from a chair, the chair can jolt backwards on slippery clinic floors. By placing a non-slip floor mat underneath, you can add a layer of safety, which is essential when evaluating the person's fall risk.

During weight-bearing procedures in your practice, where you move a person from one surface to another, Tenura non-slip mats can be a real benefit. Use non-slip mats as a preventative measure for slipping/­falling during this procedure. With both your feet and your client's feet safely positioned on a non-slip mat, the risks involved reduce as you both have a secure foothold, which would not be the case on smooth slippy clinic floors.

Non-Slip Table Mats for Self-Feeding­/Eating

Having a non-slip table mat under your patient's plate during self-feeding allows the user to exert more force, and if required, they can eat with one hand because the non-slip mat and plate remain in place. This real-world example is an executable daily exercise they can use at home or in the clinic to increase their eating competency.

Cutlery Grips for Physiotherapy Sessions

With age, dexterity decreases, so developing fine motor skills in your patient is vital. We utilise our fine motor skills in everyday life, such as buttoning up a shirt, which can be difficult, especially if the movement of your hands is limited.

Often as a physiotherapist for seniors, handwriting practice is encouraged to progress a client's fine motor skills. To make this task more accessible, you can slide a Tenura cutlery grip onto a pen, improving grip and comfort due to the handle's increased surface area and the grip-enhancing properties of the silicone cutlery grip.

Eating involves a few steps that develop fine motor skills, such as using cutlery correctly, transferring food from fork to mouth, and using a knife for cutting. Sliding Tenura cutlery grips onto a fork or knife improves the persons capacity to hold and use their utensils, adding comfort and control.

Paediatric physi­ot­he­rapists will know that children have to learn fine motor skills, and following the above examples can push them to excel. We have Children's cutlery grips available designed for small hands.

Non-Slip Fabric for Hippotherapy Sessions

In hippotherapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy (physical and occupational therapy utilising the temperament and mobility of horses), you can place a piece of non-slip fabric between the rider and the saddle to ensure they don't slide off. It can also add additional grip to the reins making Tenura non-slip fabric advantageous during hippotherapy. Alternatively, silicone grip rolls would also provide similar results.

Bottle Openers in Physiotherapy Sessions

Recovery and re-establishment of independence are the primary goals of physiotherapy. Things such as opening bottles may be a big feat for your patient, and a daily living aid can be of help. For pill bottles, a grip-enhancing bottle opener can aid your patient, helping them to reach their goals quickly and encourage them to venture beyond their perceived limited ability.

 

At Tenura, we want to thank all physi­ot­he­rapists for their dedicated work improving the quality of life of their patients. If you have any further uses you would like to share with the physiotherapy community, get in touch, and we will add it to the blog.

 

If you have enjoyed this blog, please subscribe to our newsletter. We send out updates on hot industry news ad our latest exclusive deals.

This Tenura blog will look into ways you can stay positive and safe post-UK-lockdown both mentally and physically. Things as simple as speaking about your worries can be a big help, so let’s explore some great ways you can deal with post-lockdown life.

How can you Feel Happy Post Lockdown?

Call Helplines for Support

There are many to choose from, so find one that suits your needs. Your first call may be a little awkward, or it may not have been quite what you were looking for, but there is an abundance of helplines to choose from, so don’t be disheartened and try another.

Try Local Services through your GP or Council

Contact your local GP or Council to provide you with localised advice such as support groups and other information, including benefits and housing.

Walking and Exercise to Clear the Mind

Go for walks in areas that aren’t popular to avoid large crowds of people. Coronavirus is airborne, which means that it’s primarily spread when in close contact with an infected person.

If you struggle with mobility in regards to walking, perhaps do some research into walking aids. Tenura silicone grip roll can be a neat addition as it adds grip-enhancing qualities once you’ve wrapped the roll around the handles of walking aids.

You may be a wheelchair user and want to venture outside, but to avoid frustration, search for destinations that are wheelchair accessible. A Tenura non-slip floor mat can help with transferring the wheelchair user in and out of the wheelchair. Tenura floor mats provide a foothold, reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Follow Government Guidelines

Our government have the money, power and statistics to understand the extent of the virus. Therefore you should follow their advice to a T.

If you are apprehensive about going out in public through the worry of members of the public complaining that you aren’t wearing a mask, use a lanyard to carry your face covering exemption card. It’s then easy for people to recognise you’re exempt.

You can visit the government website for information regarding covid and caring for someone with a disability. 

Discuss your Worries with Friends & Family

Talk to your friends and family. They can help you and follow your requests, such as remaining outside when you meet them. Talking things through can help, and they may have advice or ideas that you hadn’t thought of, so take time to speak to them.

Returning to Work - Discuss Worries with Colleagues

If you are going back to work and aren’t sure of the Coronavirus procedures in place at your workplace, ask. It’s both important that you as an individual feel safe and those who work with you.

If somebody isn’t looking themselves, make sure you ask if they are okay, this one goes for friends and family too, it’s been a hard time for us all, and this simple question can make a person’s day, it can also help you both relieve built-up stress or anxiety.

To remain safe at work, follow their guideline and use disinfectants such as hand sanitiser. It would be best if you also tried to stay 2m apart from your colleagues.

Look Online for Help

The charity and website Scope is full of information on money, work, education, housing, and health, all related to Coronavirus.

As socialising is difficult at this time, and you may feel this is not the best thing to do for your health, online forums and social media platforms can help alleviate the loneliness you may be feeling. On Facebook, you can join groups full of like-minded people with similar hobbies and interests.

There’s a social media platform called The Mighty, and this platform is developed especially for those with disabilities.

Get a Hobby – Find a New Passion

Some hobbies may be tricky to pick up with a disability. However, at Tenura, we have many products to enhance adaptive equipment to make hobbies more accessible. Tenura silicone grip rolls both grip-enhancing and non-slip. You can wrap it around handles to give you more control of objects such as tennis rackets, golf clubs or walking sticks.

If you want to explore the realm of cooking, the Tenura kitchen pack could be a great fit. It has a grip-enhancing bottle opener and jar opener as well as a non-slip coaster, which you can use to gain purchase on surfaces when twisting off lids of bottles or jars.

See all the Tenura products that could aid with your new hobby and get you back to a sense of normality via the website.

 

We hope this post gives you a few things to consider if you are feeling down. But don’t forget to reach out and seek the help of others.

You can follow us on our socials for more advice and ideas, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.