PT/OT
Six Features To Love About the Support Station
December 19, 2017
by Elena Noble, MPT
When we’re talking about activities of daily living, it doesn’t get more basic—and more personal—than toileting. But the process of toileting is also a valuable opportunity to teach transfer, standing and hygiene skills—all essential to building independence in self-care.
A successful and thoroughly dignified approach to incorporating these skills into the toileting routine is...
Evidence Based Practice
Evidence Update: Children with CP and Home-based Treadmill Programs
September 25, 2017
by Elena Noble, MPT
Motor learning suggests that practice, repetition and task specificity are instrumental to task improvement. Sometimes extending the practice of therapeutic activities beyond the clinical environment and into the home is a great way to apply these principles and reinforce the gains made in the clinic.
Knowing this, I was interested to read a recent study looking at children with cerebral palsy and the...
Tips & Advice
Hygiene, Health and the Rifton Wave
August 01, 2017
by Lori Potts, PT
When we make bathing easier, our clients are healthier. The new Rifton Wave, a thoroughly reimagined bath chair, improves the bathing and showering experience for both the client and the caregiver.
Here’s a great resource on the features, benefits and medical necessity of the Rifton Wave- a bath chair that can restore the dignity and yes, even the pleasure in the bathing experience.
Tips & Advice
Four Field-Tested Approaches For Toileting with the TRAM
April 11, 2017
by Lori Potts, PT
The Rifton TRAM is a remarkably simple solution for toilet transfers, ensuring safety and dignity for both clients and caregivers. Here are four approaches developed by clinicians in the field to accommodate different body types and impairments.
Download the pdf
Method 1
For client with good trunk tone and weak lower extremities
View Slideshow
Method 2
For clients with moderate weight bearing...
PT/OT
Toileting Initiative Produces Great Results
March 20, 2017
by Ashley Rogers, DPT
It all started when therapists from the three special day schools of Baltimore County Public Schools sat down to talk at one of our yearly meetings. The discussion turned from the mundane to the visionary, how to provide more functional, purposeful activities for our kiddos throughout the day. And, of all things, we talked about toileting. As a vital part of the student’s day, we wanted the toileting...
Tips & Advice
Toileting Transfer Tips for Individuals with Muscular Dystrophy
December 02, 2016
by Elena Noble, MPT
Transferring someone with low tone and little or no weight bearing to and from the toilet is challenging. Along with a dependent lift, a therapist must guard against the individual slipping down or sagging during the seat-to-seat transfer in addition to managing clothing. Even with lifting devices it is difficult to execute a smooth, dignified, safe transfer with an individual unable to maintain any...
PT/OT
The New Wave Bathing & Transfer System vs. Blue Wave Bath Chair
November 08, 2016
by Gilbert Thomson, PT
What have we done to improve our old bath chair? Here are the key features that distinguish our new Wave Bathing & Transfer System:
Larger and Wider
The Wave bathing system still comes in three sizes, but there are some important differences. The seat on the small and medium is now wider – a full 15” – with open sides so the seat is comfortable for all sizes. And the large has a 17...
PT/OT
Rifton Wave Letter of Medical Necessity
October 10, 2016
by Lori Potts, PT
In response to requests from the field we’re happy to offer a sample letter of medical necessity for the newly up-graded and redesigned Rifton Wave, a bathing and transfer system.
Good hygiene is paramount to good health, and this particular product has the solutions for bathing and showering as an activity of daily living. The Rifton Wave is a medical device, not intended as a self-help convenience...
Tips & Advice
Step by Step Toileting with the TRAM
October 05, 2016
by Lori Potts, PT
David Anderson is a senior physical therapist with the New York City public school system. His school obtained a Rifton TRAM to help with toileting a particular student. After some trials, he and the school OT determined the best methods for using the TRAM for this purpose and created a set of instructions for the paraprofessionals working with this student. David shared it with us and we found it so...
News
Announcing the Rifton Wave
September 19, 2016
by Sam Durgin
Hygiene and health go together. When we make bathing easier we have healthier clients. So we’ve always been interested in how we can improve our bath chair, and we have been collecting product design ideas for a long time. We’re happy to announce the launch of our all-new Wave system, a thoroughly reimagined bath system to make bathing or showering better—for the client and for the...