In this blog, we explore the importance of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and what they are. It's essential to get a clear understanding so you can better care for a patient or family member. Plus, we have rounded up some brilliant products that promote independent living by making ADLs manageable.

What does ADL stand for?

ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living, which comprises of five basic tasks required to live an independent and healthy life. Members of the population who have recently received surgery or have disabilities/a condition, such as arthritis, can struggle to complete daily tasks. They are accessed individually, allowing carers to detect areas where the client needs additional help.

What are the 5 ADLs?

1. Personal Hygiene 

A person must be able to keep a suitable level of hygiene to meet the standards of ADLs. A person may not meet their needs due to a disability. Some wheelchair users may struggle due to limited mobility, making tasks such as bathing tricky.

Another reason could be the side effects of the medication, causing depression. People with depression tend to disregard bathing. Those with depression usually have decreased energy levels, making bathing an overwhelming or neglected aspect of their life.

Personal hygiene extends beyond just bathing and encompasses brushing your teeth and hair, looking after your nails, feet, scalp, oral hygiene, and ear organ hygiene. There are many areas of our body we need to care for to make sure we stay healthy. Personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of diseases, so it's essential.

Not brushing your teeth can lead to bad breath, toothache, the loss of teeth, and even gum cancer.

There are products on the market that can aid with specific issues a person may encounter during these tasks. At Tenura, we have developed cutlery grips, an adaptive aid you slip cutlery or utensils like toothbrushes, combs, and other hygiene-related products into, to increase the handle's width. Thin handles can prevent those with limited dexterity in their hands from having proper control. The silicone structure of the cutlery grips is grip-enhancive.

2. Dressing

From selecting clothes to putting them on, this task requires a variety of movement types. Lifting your arms and putting them through your shirt sleeves involves large mobility movements, whereas buttoning the shirt requires more finicky actions. For people with conditions such as arthritis, the maneuverability of limbs and hands is limited, making putting clothes on tricky. There are so many dressing aids to help with the different aspects of getting dressed.

Getting dressed shouldn't be a painful experience, and we realized that many of these dressing aids have thin metal handles, making them tricky to hold for those with limited mobility in their hands. But we have a solution. By cutting Tenura grip roll into strips and building up a thicker handle, you can make dressing aids more comfortable to grasp. Tenura grip roll is made from our grip-enhancing silicone, so your hands will not slide off the handle like they would with the use of the metal handle alone.

Being unable to change clothes or get undressed can affect other activities of daily living. Remaining in the same clothes for days would lead to poor personal hygiene and allow germs to breed, which could cause illness. Another affected daily living activity would be continence due to the inability to unbutton your trousers to use the toilet.

3. Eating 

Children are a great example of the stages a person may be at when eating. Babies need complete assistance during the task, whereas toddlers have developed partial fine motor skills to hold cutlery and complete the actions required to transport the food from their plate to their mouth. Following this, at 5/6 years old, they can fully feed themselves. You need to evaluate your child's capabilities just as you do with persons in your care. Some people will require full assistance during meal times, whereas those who have some fine motor skills and the coordination necessary to move the food from the plate to their mouth may benefit from the use of adaptive products.

You can add Tenura cutlery grips to the handles of your eating utensils, such as your knife or fork, to increase the handle's width, making using cutlery comfortable as the utensils are easier to hold. They also are made from 100% silicone which gives them grip-enhancing properties, stopping the cutlery from sliding out of your grasp. We have children's cutlery grips for smaller hands.

Getting the right foods is essential to health. The body needs the correct nutrients to work effectively and fight off infection. Food also gives the body energy to complete other daily living activities.

4. Continence 

Being able to go to the toilet and control your bowels is another essential daily task. A person may not be capable of controlling their bladder or can't physically move to the bathroom. Understanding the root problem can allow you to put things in place to help the individual.

Bathroom floors tend to be shiny and smooth, making getting on and off the toilet tricky as you can't get a foothold, but we have come up with clever ideas to help those struggling to use the toilet safely.

If a person struggles to get up from the toilet, the use of grab rails can be helpful. But you may find them uncomfortable to hold and not as grip-enhancing as you would like. By wrapping Tenura grip strips around the grab rail handle, you can improve both comfort and grip due to the soft yet grip-enhancing properties of the silicone grip strips.

The contour rug you have around your toilet can be made safer using a Tenura non-slip floor mat underneath. Place your Tenura floor mat under your bathroom rugs to add additional non-slip properties making the bathroom rug extra secure whilst keeping the aesthetic of your bathroom. The non-slip properties mean rugs won't slide but instead will provide a reliable surface to maneuver on and off the toilet. 

Tenura floor mats have adhesive-like properties that help keep bathroom rugs in place. The floor mat sticks itself to the floor, preventing the rug from moving and allowing the person on the toilet to get a proper foothold without the risk of slips and falls.

If necessary, you can remove the floor mat, and upon removal, no residue will be left behind.

Please note that the Tenura silicone range loses its non-slip properties when wet.

5. Mobility 

Moving around, whether that's to go to the kitchen for food, or the bathroom, it's critical to health. A person may find their mobility is compromised following injury, surgery, or a medical condition. A person may have difficulty in certain areas. For some, they may require hoists around the house or live-in care. Others can get by with a simple Tenura non-slip floor mat that gives them grip and increased confidence when completing activities of daily living. Non-slip floor mats provide a foothold for the user, even on slippery floors. You can use them around the house, beside beds or sofas to help you maneuver safely.

It may be worthwhile installing Tenura non-slip bath stickers, which aid a person with mobility in bathrooms or areas frequently exposed to water. You can line a bath or shower's base with Tenura bath stickers. They apply best to smooth surfaces, providing the area is cleaned first with an alcohol-based cleaner (cream-based cleaners leave behind a powder residue that causes the stickers to lift). For more information, please read our application bath stickers blog.

Now you have a basic understanding of the products that can help patients or family members overcome the struggles associated with activities of daily living. We hope this blog has given you ideas to provide further support and find effective products for anyone in your care.

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Enjoy Halloween with the assistance of Tenura products! We want everyone to have a fantastic Halloween, which is why we have teamed up with MazeWebMedia to produce the latest Tenura video.

Watch the video, as it’s filled with exciting and innovative ways you can use Tenura products to make your Halloween accessible to all and avoid any weeping witches or sad skeletons during your festivities.

Tenura Bottle Opener

Enjoying classic autumnal drinks such as dandelion & burdock or pumpkin spiced lattes is easier when you can twist off the bottle cap with ease, all you need is a Tenura bottle opener. The silicone has grip-enhancing properties meaning less strength is required to open bottles.

 

Tenura Jar Opener

Twisting open jars full of treats or in this case, Nutella, is much easier if you use a grip-enhancing Tenura jar opener.

 

 

Tenura CupCaps (Drinks Cover)

Tenura CupCaps creates a seal around the top of your drinks container. The seal stops liquid from escaping, helping you to avoid spillages. Another great feature of Tenura’s drinks cover is it prevents debris from entering your drink, as you can see in our Halloween video.

 

Tenura Non-Slip Mats

When doing Halloween crafts such as carving a pumpkin or tucking into a Halloween themed feast, Tenura mats can be a great help. They protect your tables from marks, they’re easy to wipe down and are non-slip which keep objects securely in place, helping you avoid slips and spillages.

 

Tenura Utensil Grips

Carving a pumpkin is a staple of Halloween, but for people who have hand impairments, it can be incredibly tricky and unpleasant. However, if you slip Tenura utensil grips onto your cutlery/carving knife, they create a larger handle which increases comfort and grip.

 

Tenura Grip Rolls

You can cut Tenura grip roll down to size to create bespoke non-slip surfaces, for instance, in the video, we have wrapped Tenura grip roll around the handle of a butter knife. The user experiences increased grip qualities of the handle and therefore, has more control over the knife, making your Halloween activities safer for the disabled and elderly.

 

We hope you have found this blog helpful and that you can now celebrate Halloween regardless of age or disability. You can watch more Tenura videos via our YouTube channel.

You can tag us and show how you have put Tenura products to use this Halloween via social media (Facebook and Twitter), we can’t wait to see your scary pumpkin carvings.

To help advocate for World Arthritis Day 2020 (10.12.20), we thought it would be a great idea to answer some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding arthritis.

Can Arthritis be Cured? / Can Arthritis be Treated?

Currently, a cure is not known for arthritis. However, there are many treatments available that can decelerate and help minimise the pain and other symptoms surrounding arthritis. If you believe you or someone you know has arthritis, seek a doctor’s advice immediately.

To treat arthritis, you can use prescribed medication. There are some lifestyle changes you can make too, such as spending more time in the sun, as Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and allows the autoimmune system to work correctly. Sunshine is especially helpful for those with rheumatoid arthritis which is often caused by an autoimmune response in the body. You can read more about this in our "Activities in the Sun for People with Arthritis" blog.

There are various operations doctors can perform depending on the type of arthritis and its severity, with the well-known being, joint replacement surgery. During this surgery, a prosthetic joint replaces an arthritic joint.

Can Arthritis Spread?

Rheumatoid arthritis is currently perceived to spread via a person’s blood vessels. If a person has rheumatoid arthritis their arthritic joint releases synovial cells contained in the synovial sac (the sac lubricate joints to avoid friction and wear), these cells travel around the body, affecting other joints-according to a study at the Kerckhoff-Clinic, Germany.

Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis does not spread through the body. Due to this, a person with osteoarthritis may overcompensate, heavily using other joints to remain balanced and mobile. Overcom­pen­sating can cause those other joints to have excess stress put through them, which can be damaging, and this is why it is crucial to seek a doctor’s advice as soon as symptoms of arthritis occur.

What does Arthritis Look Like?

Arthritis can cause edema (swelling) in the affected areas, along with red-ish skin. In acute cases, joints are misshapen, so much so, the affected area takes on a new shape resulting in a crooked finger or toe. Knobbly abscesses can contribute to the malformed appearance, these abscesses are the body trying to protect itself, as the joints wear down, the body attempts to regrow the bone, and it doesn’t always grow in the shape it once was. Another indication of arthritis is small mucous cysts that develop on the hands.

What does Arthritis Feel Like?

Initially, it is said to feel achy, similar to a burning sensation which comes and goes depending on your activity level. In the later stages, the pain tends not to subside and remains in the affected joints. Around affected joints, the skin may be warm to the touch due to inflammation caused by irritated joints. Joints tend to become stiff and seize up, which is why the NHS recommends exercise.

How can you Participate in World Arthritis Day 2020?

We are glad you asked, there are many ways you can support World Arthritis Day. You can raise awareness and spread knowledge through your family, friends and social media. You can participate in local healthcare organisation’s charity events, appeals or fundraisers. Perhaps you could start a fundraiser yourself or participate in a fun run.

One of the ways Tenura will be supporting World Arthritis Day is through our marketing channels. We will be posting helpful information all month regarding Arthritis and Tenura arthritis aids. You can learn more about Tenura arthritis aids through our blog.

A quick low down of some helpful arthritis friendly Tenura products:

Tenura Non-Slip Coasters and Anti-Slip Mats

Non-slip coasters and anti-slip mats provide a place to rest things such as mugs and plates, the silicone grips onto the objects which keeps them held in position. A person with arthritis may find these anti-slip mats to be helpful, as you can use them in conjunction with the silicone jar and bottle openers to open containers with one hand, allowing you to use the less arthritic hand.

 

Tenura Silicone Jar and Bottle Opener

Jar and bottle openers enable you to open containers with ease. Tenura silicone has grip-enhancing properties that allow you to get a firm grasp of lids. For a person living with arthritis, these openers can be a great help as pain, swelling, or other flare-up symptoms can make objects a struggle to hold.

 

Tenura Silicone Cutlery Grips

Arthritis can cause reduced movement in your hands and fingers that makes holding onto cutlery difficult. By sliding Tenura cutlery grips onto utensils, you no longer require the full motion used to clutch cutlery as the surface area is now greater.

 

Tenura Silicone Non-Slip Grip Strips and Rolls

Create bespoke arthritis aids using Tenura grip strips or rolls. You can cut Tenura silicone down to the size and shape required. Many of our customers who live with arthritis use the grip strips around handles of cupboards, pans, DIY and gardening tools, to mention a few. Tenura silicone is both a non-slip material and grip-enhancing, which is why it is perfect for use on handles, you can get a firm hold without the risk of things slipping out of your hands.

All the products listed above are made from Tenura silicone, which means they are:

• Antimicrobial (prevents bacteria harbouring)
• Washable by hand or dishwasher (withstanding temperatures up to 250°C)
• Non-toxic (safe to use in all environments)
• Latex-free

To stay up-to-date with all the events and activities during World Arthritis Day 2020, you can follow the hashtags:

• #WAD20
• #WorldA­rt­hri­tisDay
• #ArthritisDay
• #Arthri­tis­Da­y2020
• #Cure­Art­hri­tisWAD

And follow us on our social media channels; Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and don’t forget to tag us in your World Arthritis Day activities.

With summer coming up we can’t help but get out for the day and enjoy the sun! However while many of us are constantly on the go all year round for various reasons, some of us find seemingly simple tasks more challenging than others do. If these simple tasks become much more difficult than previously, they can have a major impact on your fun or duties. With this blog post we are going to try and explain a few ways that Tenura products can help make these everyday tasks easier.

The ranges of select Tenura products below are designed to make various simple tasks on the go feel like a breeze once again.

Tenura Cutlery Grips

Tenura cutlery grips, like the majority of Tenura products are produced from silicone. The main benefits of silicone are how well it grips and the comfort experienced while holding it. These features mean that you can take them anywhere with you. For example, if you’re going out for an expensive meal or just want to stop somewhere for lunch they are perfect for popping on to your cutlery quickly and easily. If Tenura cutlery grips get dirty they can be easily washed with hot, soapy water or by popping them in the dishwasher and once dry they are then ready to use again. Cutlery grips are not exclusive for use with cutlery as you can also put them on pens and pencils, with a larger surface area to hold, it will become easier to write and draw, reducing if not eliminate discomfort.

Tenura cutlery grips are available in adult sizes and children sizes.

Non-Slip Fabric

The Tenura Non-Slip Fabric is also beneficial when on the go. Made out of non-slip foam applied to a polyester mesh, this makes it a stable yet comfortable and cushioned non-slip material. This fabric is easy to cut, making it easier to carry as you can then only take as much as you need Due to non-slip fabrics flexibility, it is easy to fold and carry in your bag. It has multiple purposes when on the go, it can be used as additional comfort when sitting on a bench whilst relaxing or having a picnic.. You could also find its benefits when having a picnic by using it on the table surface to place your food and drinks on for either a cleaner surface or to make everything less prone to slips. It is also suitable for resting your arms and elbows on harder surfaces to increase comfort.

Tenura non slip fabric is available in 3 colours.

Moulded Cup Holders

These cup holders are made from silicone and work exactly as a coaster would but are designed to hold onto the base of your cup and create a portable anti-slip surface. Tenura moulded cup holders fit onto the bottom of your cup indiscreetly and with minimal effort. This makes it easier to place cups down without marking any surfaces and will prevent accidents if the surface is overly slippery. Silicone also has a high tolerance to heat so these anti-slip cup holders prevent any spillages created by unwanted movement and preventing marks and stains on table surfaces that could be caused by hot mugs and cups. These will be very useful at the family picnic or at the office for those busy workers who are always on the go! Once placed down Tenura moulded cup holders will ensure your drink does not spill, but are also easy to remove and wash ready for next time!

Tenura moulded cup holders are available to buy from the website in 3 colors.

To purchase these products, visit the website or call us via phone or live chat. Alternatively use the contact us form and a member of the sales team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Utensil grips are a handy addition to day to day life by providing an enhanced surface area around knives, forks, pens, pencils, toothbrushes and many other items, making them easier for daily use. Utensil Grips are perfect for those who suffer from impairments to grip. By increasing the surface area on the utensil, you can decrease the amount of grip required, helping to decrease strain on muscles when trying to grip small objects. However, these products are sized for adult hands, which may prove difficult for children to use.

This presented us with a dilemma. How good is a daily living aid if it can’t cater to everybody’s needs? This brought us to the product we are mentioning for the first time, Tenura children’s Utensil grips!

Tenura children’s utensil grips, like their bigger counterpart, also provide an enhanced surface area allowing children with impairments to be able to use utensils easier without having to accommodate a large Utensil grip. Children’s Utensil grips are 98mm in size and weigh 45g per sheaf. This is a lot lighter than our adult versions. Utensil grips are made from a strong antimicrobial silicone, designed to be durable and prevent the harboring and spread of bacteria.

Utensil grips are easily applied and can be washed by hand or via dishwasher. These are perfect for big industries like charities or organisations who may have a large turnaround of people and don’t have time necessary to clean them all by hand.

Tenura Children’s Utensil Grips come in three vibrant colours options, red, blue and grey. Utensil grips can be purchased directly through our website and come in packs of two. By spending $40 on our website and we will ship your order free of charge. For further queries, please use the contact form or live chat on our site!

 

Tenura cutlery grips create an enlarged surface area around objects which would otherwise be small and hard to pick up and use. The silicone handle allows objects to be placed inside two slits in the middle of the material, allowing the products to sit around the utensils neatly. The large surface area this product provides helps ease pressure and strain on joints and muscles, allowing day to day tasks to be performed much easier without discomfort or pain.

Dining and Food Preparation

Food preparation can be hard for those who suffer from hand impairments. Grip can be massively affected leaving you struggling to use basic utensils and finding it hard to prepare a basic meal. By applying Tenura cutlery grips, you can increase the surface area of the object and make it easier to grip and hold. This makes jobs such as cutting and mashing food easier and less painful. Cutlery grips can be cleaned simply with hot, soapy water.­ This will allow you to keep a strong standard of hygiene and prevent bacteria from conta­minating anything which comes into contact with it. After food has been prepared, comes the most important part of the meal, eating. However, this can be more work than the preparation, especially for those who suffer from arthritis and other condi­tions. Items like knives and forks can be very difficult to hold and use effectively. This can make meal times take much longer than it would normally or be a very painful process, all of this effort to simply feed yourself can be very tiresome, and make meal times a burden. By using Tenura cutlery grips, you can make utensils like knives and forks much easier to hold and use,­ while re-leaving stress and strain on joints and muscles by grasping a bigger, more comfortable surface area.

Pens & Pencils

Pens and pencils are often used in day to day life. Writing is an essential skill that is needed almost all the time. Unfortunately for those who suffer from arthritis and similar diseases, writing can be a painful and strenuous experience, and is sometimes not worth the effort.

Cutlery grips create a much bigger surface area that is more natural to hold and comfortable to grip. This can make writing easier and will lessen the strain on joints and muscles which could cause discomfort to the person writing.

Tooth Brushes

As we were taught as kids, brushing your teeth is a vital part of day to day life. Without clean teeth, nasty cavities and holes will start to form. This can lead to painful toothache or expensive surgery to get it corrected. However, using a toothbrush requires a precise amount of pressure and movement when in the mouth, without this control, you could start to smack your teeth and gums which could cause you to bleed or damage your mouth, or it will be so painful for you to operate the toothbrush you may not be able to do a thorough job and clean your teeth fully. Those who suffer from ailments like arthritis and Parkinson's can struggle to do this. The need to grip a small object create can create great discomfort in their joints. Cutlery grips allow you to create a much larger surface area which will make a toothbrush easier to hold and use. By creating a bigger surface area, it lessens the strain on joints which will decrease the amount of pain the user will suffer.

Cutlery grips are a great aid to day to day life and allow tasks which need you to grip and use small items much easier and less painful. Take a look at our newest video: How to apply and remove cutlery grips!

For more information regarding Cutlery grips or the rest of the Tenura range, please visit the website.