Ableware patient slide mobility device from Maddak

WAYNE, N.J., May 16, 2013—Caring for an individual who has trouble staying in an upright seated position can be difficult, and in some cases can cause back strain for the caregiver and injuries to the person needing assistance. Maddak’s new Patient Slide Mobility Device is designed to provide caregivers with an easier, safer way to reseat an individual to the back of a chair for better support.

Kathleen Hanek, director of product development for Maddak Inc., manufacturer of Ableware® aids for daily living, said “Often people with difficulty sitting upright will find themselves in the dangerous position of being seated at the front edge of a chair. A caregiver’s first response will be to grab the person and pull them to the back of the seat. Repeated grabbing and pulling of the individual to get them into a proper sitting position can lead to a caregiver unintentionally bruising or irritating the patient’s skin, or possibly causing an injury. The patient slide provides a method of repositioning an individual to an upright seated position at the back of a chair in a manner that is easier, more efficient and safer for both the caregiver and the person requiring assistance.”

The patient slide is 46” (116.8 cm) long with three sets of handles to accommodate various sized individuals and seating scenarios. The smooth surface on one side reduces friction allowing it to easily move across the chair, while the non-slip material on the other side holds the patient safely in place during the repositioning process.

Hanek also said that “To use the patient slide the caregiver slides the device under the patient’s legs so that one set of handles is on each side. Then standing behind the patient, the caregiver chooses the handles that are best for the situation and gently pulls up on the patient slide to allow the device to slide over the top of the seat. While pulling up, the caregiver alternates pulling with the right and left arm until the individual is seated correctly with their back flush against the chair. When the process has been completed the patient slide can remain on the chair or it can be removed.”

Maddak manufactures products that simplify the tasks of daily living—eating, drinking, dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, etc.—for seniors, people with disabilities and people undergoing rehabilitation. Learn more at www.maddak.com.