Advice

As we all know in this industry, raised toilet seats are designed to reduce the distance that a person has to move when they need to sit down on the toilet. By raising the toilet seat by a couple of inches, it can make a considerable difference for elderly people who find it difficult to sit and stand from the toilet.

If someone has limited mobility, it is also a simple way to help feel more stable and secure.

Sometimes someone will need help in standing up from the toilet and so Raised Toilet Seats with arms can be fitted so they have something to grip and push down on when rising.

Whilst there are many on the market, some look very chunky and can be complicated to fit. This is where we at Gordon Ellis & Co can help.

We have 2 products on the market at the moment –

The Prima Lift, which gives a 3” raise and sits underneath your existing toilet seat to minimise the look of a raised toilet seat and be more discreet, fitting into your own surroundings –

And the Nobi Classic or Family seats. These toilet seats replace your existing one. Although they do not offer a rise, they have firm arm supports built into the seat which gives the user support when standing from the toilet. The Nobi family comes with a child seat attached so that younger users can be supported too.

So what did we do with these 2 great products? Well, we have combined them! The Prima lift can be used with the stylish Nobi Classic or Family to produce the Nobi Lift.

This new product will allow a 3” rise for the user, along with the supportive arms whilst being discreet and stylish.

We believe that everyone should live with independence, Dignity and Safety.

For more details on this great new product, please contact [email protected]

You know when you agree to do something and then when the time comes you think ‘why did I agree to that’?

Well that was how I felt this morning. I had been asked to do a Seminar on our products – well Raising Furniture Remotely to be exact and as we are in the midst of a horrific pandemic, the seminar was going to be a Webinar.

I was so nervous. I know my product and what I wanted to say but it is so weird doing a Webinar when you know people are watching but you can’t gauge their reactions or see any of them. What if no one logged on to watch? Or what if I fell over!!?

I set everything up and ran through it – the sound quality wasn’t very good! Luckily I was able to do it in the showroom at Head Office but it was so empty that there was a massive echo. We dragged furniture around to try and muffle it and got the camera set up. Then we waited… and Oh My Word!!! So many people logged on to listen!! 422 to be exact with over 1000 people registering!

I am so happy and overwhelmed by the response! Thank you to everyone who logged on to watch – I hope that you all took something away with you and that I was some help.

Special thank you to Stuart Barrow and his team at OTAC and Promoting Independence for suggesting I do this and hosting it.

I think sometimes you just have to come out of your comfort zone and get on with it. I enjoyed it immensely and hope to do more in the future.

If you did watch this afternoon – apologies for the sound – promise it will be better next time! And please if you have any questions don’t hesitate to email [email protected]

Rumour has it…..

So, the country is in lockdown and unfortunately there are many businesses in our industry that have had to shut their doors or reduce deliveries to keep their staff and business safe.

Some of us are in the lucky position where we can continue to work because we manufacture and produce products which are helping people either get of hospital quicker or stay in their homes safe and away from this horrific virus. This service is vital in helping the NHS and the vulnerable in our society.

It is a time of uncertainty and trying to let people know that we are still producing and despatching as normal as we possibly can be is proving difficult and I have lost count of the amount of customers who have called saying they are struggling to get our products or think that we have shut.

So here goes –                                             WE ARE OPEN!

If you are finding it hard to get Furniture Raisers, Toilet Seats, Commodes, Grab Rails, Outdoor Steps, Bath Boards, Shower Stools, products for the Hearing impaired, or other Daily Living Aids, give us a call or speak to your supplier, we have good stocks and most deliveries would be within 2-3 days.

For those of us living apart from elderly or vulnerable parents, grandparents, relatives and friends, Coronavirus can be an especially difficult time. Without being able to offer support in person, many of us are feeling worried and guilty.

 At Gordon Ellis & Langham we can really identify with this anxiety, Fiona’s 99 year old father in law lived alone 300 miles away, others team members have also struggled. So here we offer some ideas from our own experience.:

Smart Speakers (Amazon Echo: Alexa, Google Home. Etc.)

 If you can afford a smart speaker, they are hugely helpful for people who find using screens and small buttons difficult, as they are activated by voice. A smart speaker can be used to listen to music, the radio, tell you the weather and read the news. More useful for those with mobility problems, a smart speaker can be connected to other smart devices in the home and be used to turn on lights or televisions. The best bit, in our experience, is connecting the elderly persons speaker to your own account, Amazon’s smart speakers (Echo/Alexa). When this happens, they can be used instead of telephones, using the drop-in function This function takes away the difficulty of remembering telephone numbers, rushing to the phone or fiddling with buttons. The user can simply say ‘drop in on Dad’ and be connected to the corresponding smart speaker. Being on the same account also allows you to remotely control activity on the echo if required. Such things as loading talking books and starting them if required.

Of course, if isolated individuals do not already have a smart speaker prior to the lockdown there is the issue of set-up. However, if you, or a trusted neighbour, is able to stand within range of their Wi-Fi, set-up can be done semi-remotely. All the isolated individual has to do is plug in the speaker. You can do the set-up from your own smart phone.!

The Gordon Ellis Big Foot Half-Step

With the current lovely weather, many are keen to get out into the garden and enjoy the sun. For those with limited mobility however, this can be quite difficult.

Back Doorsteps often have a significant step down. Without support, this process can be awkward and puts those with limited mobility at risk of falling. To help mitigate the challenge, a Big Foot half -step placed outside the door, reduces the size of the step down. Your relative can now get out into the garden, enjoy their independence. Your anxiety is reduced, and their mental health is supported.

Food Delivery Services

There are many amazing local initiatives doing grocery shops for vulnerable individuals. The challenge however can go beyond the shopping to the safe preparation of healthy meals. Often this is done regularly by a carer, but in lockdown, its quite a challenge.

A great solution is to use a speciality food delivery service. We have experience of various companies including Wiltshire Farm Foods. They offer over 300 different complete meals, including gluten free and vegetarian options. Food can be purchased by you for relatives on line or by phone, and delivery within the UK is free. Additionally, they have a priority number specifically for those falling under the extremely vulnerable shield group.

Food delivery services are perhaps not a long-term option, but during lockdown you can have peace of mind that loved ones can access healthy cooked food. The no-contact delivery method means isolated individuals do not have to rely on neighbours to do their shopping for them, which overall allows a greater level of independence.

If you have any more advice on how to help vulnerable individuals remotely please share in comments or chat to us on social media (Twitter - @viewsge Instagram - @geviews Facebook – geViews LinkedIn – geViews)

Why would you raise a toilet seat?

Whether you’ve recently had a knee or hip replacement, or just simply like struggle to bend down to sit, it can be quite embarrassing to ask for assistance when using the toilet.

Just like raising furniture, there is a simple addition you can make to your toilet which will help minimise excessive bending and over balancing. Raised toilet seats are easy to fit and can be removed if no longer required, after surgery or when moving house.

There are an abundance of raised toilet seats on the market, from a 2inch raise with arms to a 6inch with matching lid. So when choosing a raised toilet seat you need to ask the following questions:

Which height seat do you want?

In most cases, the knees and hips should be at the same height when sat on the toilet seat. A seat that is too low can be uncomfortable and more difficult to stand up from, so it’s important that you get the correct height.

To get the perfect position:

1. Measure the distance between the floor and back of the thigh, just behind the knee. This is the recommended seat height.

2. Measure the current height of the seat, and subtract from the first measurement.

3. The difference between the two is the measurement of raise required.

Occupational Therapists normally complete this assessment to ensure the correct seat height is given.

They normally come in 3 sizes; 2inch (5cm), 4inch (10cm) and 6inch (15cm).

Is a lid required?

Lids are a great way to keep bacteria and smells kept within the toilet. If the toilet seat is going to be used long term, then a lid will help it blend in better within the bathroom, making them look just like a regular toilet seat.

Are any attachments required?

Attachments can be anything from a toilet lids to splash guards or built in arms.

Splash guards - These help to prevent splashing and accidents which can sometimes happen when sitting to use the toilet.

Built In Arms - Instead of buying a separate toilet aid, there are raised toilet seats which have built in arms to assist when rising from the toilet.

Smaller aperture for children - If children are going to be using the raised toilet seat, seats with smaller apertures are available.

How simple do you require fitting to be?

Raised toilet seats have different brackets and fittings depending on the model. Some seats completely replace the seat and use the original fittings in the same holes on the toilet frame, others are simply installed onto the pan without removing the original seat.

These are the easiest seats to fit, they have brackets which fit onto the side and the front of the seat with rubber grips that secure the raised toilet seat to the pan. This type of fitting can usually fit a wide variety of toilet shapes and sizes, but check with the model first to ensure it is the ideal fit for your toilet.

Where possible you will want to go for one that has hidden fixings to minimise on bacteria and make the seat more hygienic. 

Some raised toilets have an adjustable front clip, this can allow the seat to be fitted to elongated and square toilet seats.

The Serenity Toilet Seat

At Langham we have a large range of toilet seats including our Serenity range which comes with or without a lid. The serenity comes in 2, 4 and 6 inch varieties with an adjustable front fixing and grippy side brackets that are hidden away for improved hygiene. Additionally an a lid can be bought separately and simply fixed to the seat. For more information visit http://langham-ge.co.uk/serenity-raised-toilet-seat-2 or email [email protected]

We are delighted to say that our Walton Commode has been chosen as one of AMP’s Products of the Year!

Daily living aids no longer have to look like stereotypical healthcare products.

Gordon Ellis and Co. have designed a range of healthcare products that fit in with the rest of your home. Instead of plastic, they are made from bamboo, giving them more style and additional benefits over hardwood and plastic products.

Interesting Facts about Bamboo:

- Bamboo is a renewable resource, it takes just 5 years to regrow once it has been cut, so there is much less impact on the        environment that wood which can take over 50 years.

- It is an organic product that doesn’t require fertilisers or pesticides to grow, so it helps to keep extra chemicals out of the environment and away from the Bamboo.

- It is extremely durable and resistant to water and swelling.

- It is more scratch resistant that most wood types, making it more long lasting.

- Bamboo has anti-bacterial qualities making it a hygienic product that is extremely easy to keep clean.

Because our Bamberry Range is made from Bamboo, it can be multi-functional and used around all rooms in your home and by other family members.

Products we offer in this range are:

Furniture Raisers – These are available with both 9cm and 14cm raises, and can be the perfect addition to your sofa, chair or bed. They are not intrusive and fit neatly underneath your furniture to look like part of the leg.

Transfer Boards – Ideal for people with limited mobility or strength, these boards make it easier to move from a wheelchair to a car, bed or chair. Available in both 24inch and 30inch straight boards, or the curved board which has been designed to fit around the arm of a wheelchair.

Step – Because it is made from bamboo, this step can be used throughout your home. Helping to halve the height between a larger step, making it easier and safer for you to get in or out of a bath/bed, or stepping down to a lower level in your home. Due to the antibacterial properties and resistance to water, the Bamberry Step is perfect for bathrooms. 

Our Bamberry Range comes in our brand new retail boxes making them perfect for the Trade. The boxes feature informative descriptions, along with lifestyle images to show how the products will look in the home.

If you would like more information about our Bamberry Range, please contact us.

Why might you need a raised toilet seat?

Whether you’ve recently had a knee or hip replacement, or just simply like struggle to bend down to sit, it can be quite embarrassing to ask for assistance when using the toilet.

Just like raising furniture, there is a simple addition you can make to your toilet which will help minimise excessive bending and over balancing. Raised toilet seats are easy to fit and can be removed if no longer required, after surgery or when moving house.

There are an abundance of raised toilet seats on the market, from a 2inch raise with arms to a 6inch with matching lid. So when choosing a raised toilet seat you need to ask the following questions:

Which height seat do you want?

In most cases, the knees and hips should be at the same height when sat on the toilet seat. A seat that is too low can be uncomfortable and more difficult to stand up from, so it’s important that you get the correct height.

To get the perfect position:

1. Measure the distance between the floor and back of the thigh, just behind the knee. This is the recommended seat height.

2. Measure the current height of the seat, and subtract from the first measurement.

3. The difference between the two is the measurement of raise required.

Occupational Therapists normally complete this assessment to ensure the correct seat height is given.

They normally come in 3 sizes; 2inch (5cm), 4inch (10cm) and 6inch (15cm).

Is a lid required?

Lids are a great way to keep bacteria and smells kept within the toilet. If the toilet seat is going to be used long term, then a lid will help it blend in better within the bathroom, making them look just like a regular toilet seat.

Are any attachments required?

Attachments can be anything from a toilet lids to splash guards or built in arms.

Splash guards - These help to prevent splashing and accidents which can sometimes happen when sitting to use the toilet.

Built In Arms - Instead of buying a separate toilet aid, there are raised toilet seats which have built in arms to assist when rising from the toilet.

Smaller aperture for children - If children are going to be using the raised toilet seat, seats with smaller apertures are available.

How simple do you require fitting to be?

Raised toilet seats have different brackets and fittings depending on the model. Some seats completely replace the seat and use the original fittings in the same holes on the toilet frame, others are simply installed onto the pan without removing the original seat.

These are the easiest seats to fit, they have brackets which fit onto the side and the front of the seat with rubber grips that secure the raised toilet seat to the pan. This type of fitting can usually fit a wide variety of toilet shapes and sizes, but check with the model first to ensure it is the ideal fit for your toilet.

Where possible you will want to go for one that has hidden fixings to minimise on bacteria and make the seat more hygienic.