Assessing individual equipment needs

The use of simple measuring tools can give a clear and reliable picture of the type of equipment required to deliver the best possible quality of care to residents, while at the same time ensuring safe systems are in place to protect staff from static and dynamic overload. The ArjoHuntleigh Mobility Gallery is a simple to use assessment and classification tool that is based on five different levels of functional mobility, which range from totally mobile and independent to residents who are cared for largely in bed. The tool categorises residents from the most mobile to the most dependent using the following names: Albert, Barbara, Carl, Doris and Emma. Each resident category has its own profile with personal characteristics and background information.

Although choices in care are made on the basis of resident assessments and then tailored to individual needs, it is important to recognise the fact that the ’typical’ resident does not exist. In day to day care millions of choices are made based on millions of assessments and these are often made unconsciously. In order to plan care efficiently, the choices need to be well thought through and there needs to be some level of standardisation and classification.

On a global level, several classification systems have been developed, such as the Resident Assessment Instrument (www.interrai.org) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (www.who.int/classifications/ icf/en). These validated tools are typically used on an individual basis to define an appropriate plan for care and rehabilitation. However, they are not easily adapted for planning what equipment is necessary, nor do they provide an indication of the space required in order to deliver appropriate care in the near resident environment. The ArjoHuntleigh Mobility Gallery has been developed to address this important gap.