For anyone who missed the opportunity to see the recent Care and Mobility Show in Dublin, we have gathered some notes from the show. Although the show may have lacked on technology exhibitors there were plenty of stands providing advice and information within the wider health care area.
Accessible vehicles and adaptations
There were a number of companies there that provide accessible vehicles or provide mobility adaptations.
Freedom Mobility provide a range of new and used accessible vehicles as well as accessible car hire and leasing
Parfit are a vehicle adaptation company that can install swivel seats, driver and passenger aids, and mobility equipment storage. Contact Stuart Rogers 01 8407880 or www.parfit.ie
Jeff Gosling hand controls Ltd. is a company who manufacture various driver aids such as an easy release handbreak, streeing aids and push pull hand controls. They provide a nice Adaptation Guide which is available online. (In Ireland Parfit can install any of these controls)
Wheelchair Cars Ireland has a stock list of wheelchair accessible vehicles or sources vehicles based on requirement. Also provides car adaption such as swivel seats, boot hoists and hand controls.
Taxi and Bus Conversions specialise in the conversion of vehicles to suit the needs of the taxi and bus markets.
The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) is an organisation dedicated to working for people with limited disability, promoting independence through mobility, education and training. It has over 4000 members. Offers a range of services such as assessment for those wishing to start or resume driving. Further information
Dublin Bus Accessibility
Anyone using a mobility scooter will need a “Mobility Scooter Permit” for now on. The reason for this is that some Mobility Scooters are too big to fit into Dublin Bus buses.
Dublin Bus highlighted their Travel Assistance Scheme that is there to help anyone use public transport on their own. An assistant can accompany you the first few times you travel and give you advice on planning a journey using Dublin Bus, the Dart or the Luas. It’s free and available Monday to Friday.
Dublin Bus also provides a nice easy to read booklet Dublin Bus “Guide to Accessibility”.
To find out further information regarding assistance while travelling with Dublin Bus contact travelassist@dublinbus.ie or 01 7033204.
Telecare
Telecare is the continuous monitoring of the home environment that can assist an individual live safely in their home. It typically includes a range of technologies to monitor a person’s independent living and summon help when required. Devices may include movement, temperature, flood, gas or smoke detectors. Lifestyle monitoring may be included in the setup so that careers can be alerted to a break in an individual’s routine. Two companies that were at the show provide these services,
Independent Living Ireland provide a range of telecare services, and a home automation.
Task Community Care is a supplier of telecare equipment and services
Information
Assistireland.ie is still providing and updating information on their website. They have a directory of daily living aids, mobility products and assistive technology for people with disabilities and older people. They have quite a useful section on their website to assist you with choosing products.
Home adaptions
These services provide adaptations within the home such as such as level access showers, stairlifts, bathroom conversions, bedroom and bathroom Extensions, wheelchair ramps, handrails or level access front and porch doors.
Hearing
Silent Alert International provide products that assist deaf/hard of hearing being aware of every day happenings in their home such as smoke alarm, doorbell, telephone, etc. They also provide products for monitoring for homecare.
Although I didn’t get around these other stands the following companies were also present
Connect Hearing ltd and Deafhear
Service providers
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is an advocate for people with ABI and their families. It provides rehabilitation and clinical support.
This National Learning network is a training organisation with centres is almost every county in Ireland. It is primary focused on providing services to individuals who may find it hard to gain employment. People with learning, intellectual or physical disability, acquired disabilities, ex-offenders or people with lived experience of mental health issues can obtain the supports to achieve success in training or further education or gaining employment. www.nln.ie or tel: 1890 283000
Therapy Services
Clinical Assessment and Therapy Team Services (CATTS) provide Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy services to babies, children, adolescents and adults around Ireland.
Private OT.ie is a private OT network that providing OT service nationwide.
Neure Hero creates apps to support people living with speech and language difficulties that often follow stoke or brain injury and a range of other conditions. These apps provide home based rehabilitation and opportunities for caregivers, family and friends to learn communication skills.
Mobility and Daily Living Aids products
Bradley’s Mobility, mobility and daily living aids
Lyncare Ltd., specialist in therapy solutions such as the MOTOmed Movement Therapy
MMS Medical, mobility and rehabilitation equipment
Care to Confort, adjustable bed and recliner chairs
Beachfield Healthcare mobility and daily living aids
Homecare services
There were a number of Homecare services at the show. As most people want to remain living independently at home for as long as they can these services can provide value help. Services range is wide and varied, from companionship through to practical support to personal care. The homecare services at the show were,
Heritage Homecare which provide a Dublin Southside service,
My Homecare have a team of nationwide carers and nurses and
Private Homecare who have provide services in Dublin and beyond.
Misc.
Holiday Centre
The Cuisle Holiday Centre is an accessible holiday centre that can provide a valuable holiday for groups or respite breaks for anyone. It’s located on the grounds of Donamon Castle in Co. Roscommon. Has an accessible gym and accessible fishing bays. Nationwide pickups using accessible buses can be provided. Further information contact Ailish or Kate on 090 6662277 or email cuisle@iwa.ie
Home meal delivery service
Wiltshire Farm Foods provide a home meal delivery service. Meals are cooked and then frozen. Caters for various diets.