Tenura | Anti-slip and grip for independent living

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The Role of Technology in Maintaining Social Connections for People with Disabilities in a Post-Lockdown World

As heavily as COVID impacted the entire world, people with disabilities faced specific challenges during and beyond lockdown owing to three overriding factors: the increased risk of poor outcomes from this disease, reduced access to routine health care and rehabilitation, and the negative social impact caused by efforts to reduce contagion. Although lockdown is a thing of the past, the social effects of the pandemic are far from over. As reported by the BBC, COVID has resulted in the rise of remote work, with many companies resorting to a “hybrid” work model that has actually proven to be a great leveller in terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion. However, telecommuting also has its downside—­greater isolation ad fewer opportunities for in-person interaction. How is technology working to bridge the divide and unite disabled people with their colleagues, friends, and family in the age of the “new normal?”

January 2024 Blog

Entering Virtual and Real Worlds

Mixed reality headsets are one of the buzzwords in the tech sector. Anyone who enjoys gaming, working on a large  “monitor” or interacting with others via video conference call is keen to get their hands on Apple’s new Vision Pro  mixed reality headset. You simply put this headset on and start “working” on an enormous virtual screen whose size you can manipulate (imagine enjoying an online game with others on a virtual screen that is as large as your wall). You don’t need a mouse; you simply swipe and click items on the screen with your fingers. You can use all your usual apps, look at photos and video recordings, or work as you would on a typical monitor. You can also use the headset to make spatial FaceTime calls with scanned avatars that use AI to mimic the appearance and body language of the person wearing the headset. You can see all your contacts in “larger-than-life” size as they talk, and share documents and information as you normally would when working with a normal computer. It’s easy to see how this technology can help disabled people feel much more connected to their colleagues and friends, until they can see them in person, of course!

Reinventing the Wheelchair

A person’s ability to move from one area to another play a crucial role in encouraging social interaction. Innovative wheelchair technology is improving mobility, safety, and accessibility, making it easier for wheelchair users to attend social events. Accessibility legislation has done plenty to boost accessible housing and rental policies. For instance, the law in most countries deems it necessary for landlords to accommodate disabled tenants via wheelchair access ramps, the installation of railings, adapted shouting and bathing facilities, and similar. However, it also helps for wheelchairs themselves to contain cutting-edge technologies that make movement easier. Currently, a few innovations that are making it easier to get around include self-driving, smart wheelchairs with sensors that use ultrasonics, radars, and cameras to perform tasks like slowing chairs down to prevent accidents.

Glasses That Speak

XRAI Glass is an innovative pair of glasses that allows deaf people to read real-time captions when talking to others. Instead of relying on lip-reading, deaf people can see that the other person is saying through the lenses. The glasses go a step further—they can even translate languages, vocal tones, accents, and pitches. They make an ideal tool for social interaction, work, education, and events. They come with a Bluetooth mic, which means that they can “see” conversations from a distance. Jodie Ounsley, a professional rugby player, has tried the glasses and stated that although she embraces her deafness with positivity, her disability “is a really isolating place at times. You miss out on a lot, and it’s a mental journey trying to lip-read.” She has stated that the glasses makes social interaction considerably easier. The smart glasses work with the XRAI app, which turns speech into subtitles in real time. 

Although lockdown has long been over, the effects of COVID have continued into current times. Many disabled people are pleased to be working from home owing to the ease of this new arrangement, but remote work can be isolating. Technological innovations are constantly bridging the divide between remote and in-person work modes. Apple’s Vision Pro, smart wheelchairs, and XRAI Glass are just three of many technologies that are uniting disabled people with other people with and without disabilities. 

Posted in Assisted Living, Internet and tagged daily living aid, tech, disability support on .

Stay Updated: Tenura's Christmas Opening Times

At Tenura, our dedication to creating daily living aids for independent living is fuelled by your continuous support and trust. As the holiday season approaches, at Tenura we would love to express our deepest gratitude to our customers for being an integral part of our journey.

Closing Dates:

Please take note of our holiday closure schedule:

December 25th: Closed for Christmas Day

December 26th: Closed for Boxing Day

December 27th: Closed

December 28th & 29th: Limited staffing

January 1st: Closed for New Year's Day

During our closure period, there will be interruptions in order processing and shipping. Orders placed from December 24th onwards may experience slight delays in processing and shipment. Upon our return, we will diligently attend to all pending orders and inquiries.

We want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support and trust in Tenura. Your feedback, loyalty, and trust have been invaluable to us, inspiring us to continuously innovate and improve our products to better serve your needs.

As the holiday spirit fills the air, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments. May the New Year bring you joy, success, and continued good health.

How to Stay Connected:

Although our physical offices will be closed during this time, our website remains open for browsing our range of life-enhancing daily living aids. For any urgent inquiries or assistance, please reach out to us via the enquiry form. We will do our best to respond promptly, especially during our limited staffing days.

Your support has been instrumental in our journey to assist individuals in achieving greater independence and ease in their daily lives. We deeply appreciate your trust in Tenura, and we're excited to continue providing high-quality products and exceptional service in the coming year.

The Tenura Team

Posted in Tenura Updates and tagged Christmas, daily living aid, opening times on .

Clean & Prepare your Bath with IPA for Anti-Slip Bath Stickers

Cleaning a surface with IPA cleaner before applying Tenura bathroom stickers is the correct procedure to ensure long-lasting performance. Using our experience and knowledge gained from working within the industry since 1997, we have invaluable information to pass down to our loyal customer base, yes, that's right, you! In this blog post, we explain why IPA cleaner is essential when applying Tenura bath stickers.

What is IPA cleaner?

IPA cleaning solution for anti slip bath preparationIPA cleaner, also known as Isopropyl Alcohol, is a disinfectant cleaner often used in medical environments. In our industry, we use it to remove grease and dirt from a surface before application. There are two variants, 70% and 99% IPA. Both are suitable for the application of Tenura non slip bath stickers.

Each has its uses; for instance, 99% IPA is fantastic for cleansing electronics due to its higher volume of alcohol, which evaporates quickly, avoiding damage to water sensitive components. 70% IPA cleaner contains 30% water. Research suggests that it is a better disinfectant, which is based upon the fact that water is a catalyst (accelerator) in this equation, the additional 29% water means the solution evaporates at a slower rate. Due to this, the solution remains on the surface for longer, destroying the growth of microorganisms.

How does IPA cleaner work?

IPA cleaner dissolves acids from the surface and with usual cleaning methods can remove contaminants such as dirt, grease and oil. These contaminants prevent anti slip bathroom stickers adhering to surfaces, in this case, bathtubs or shower trays.

Why use IPA cleaner?

Many people use cream-based cleaners to clean their bathtubs or shower trays. The main reason for non-slip bathroom stickers failing is the use of cream-based cleaners before application. Cream-based cleaners often leave a powdery residue, which prevents the bathroom stickers adhesive from effectively bonding to the surface, causing them to fail. Using IPA cleaner correctly removes all contaminants from a surface, allowing the adhesive to achieve a strong bond. This is why IPA cleaner is the perfect choice for use in the application of anti-slip bath stickers.

Where can I buy IPA cleaner for bath sticker application?

There are many online shops where you can order IPA cleaner. We have rounded up top retailers selling IPA cleaner under £10!

Retailer Price Composition Volume Medium
Ebay £3.99 99.9% 50ml Miniature Spray Bottle
Cheap Franking Supplies £4.99 99.9% N/A Wipes (5)
Antistat £5.10 70% N/A Wipes (200)
Hexeal £9.26 99.9% 1L Jerry Can
RS £9.29 99.9% 500ml Tinned Solution
Cromwell £9.34 99.9% 400ml Aerosol
Amazon £9.99 99.9% 500ml Twist Cap Solution

As you can see above, there are many forms of IPA cleaner, choose one that you are comfortable using. There are a few quantities to choose from as IPA cleaner has many uses, so this purchase is not solely for Tenura anti slip bath stickers. For instance, you can disinfect many surfaces in your home as it is safe to use on plastics and glass, which is crucial during this current pandemic.

How can I use IPA cleaner safely?

  1. You must make sure the room is well ventilated. It is essential as IPA cleaner contains alcohol, which gives off fumes that can be toxic. Ensure the room is ventilated, by opening windows and doors, allowing fresh air to enter.
  2. Please also note it is incredibly flammable due to the concentration of alcohol, so keep well away from flames, e.g. lit candles in your bathroom.

What are bath stickers?

Peeling anti slip bath sticker off backingAnti slip bath stickers are small pre-cut shapes that you can apply to your bathtub or shower to add non-slip properties. Tenura bath stickers are an essential daily living aid in any bathroom and can help everyone gain confidence by having a sure-footing when bathing. Tenura bath stickers come in two shapes (circles and strips) and two colours (transparent and white).

How do I apply anti slip bathroom stickers?

We have an in-depth blog that goes into detail to make sure your bath stickers are applied correctly for ultimate longevity. Read our blog post on "How to Apply Tenura Non Slip Bath Stickers".

IPA cleaner produces the best result, ensuring Tenura bath stickers adhere optimally. Now you know all about Tenuras top tip regarding the application of Tenura bath stickers! You can explore more innovative Tenura daily living aids via our products page and broaden your knowledge via the Tenura blog, so please subscribe.

All prices in the IPA cleaner table are correct at the time of publication

Tenura: Non Slip Fabric

Tenura Non Slip Fabric Rolls

Our non-slip fabric is one of our most popular daily living aids, and with its versatility, it’s no surprise.

Tenura non-slip fabric is made of non-slip foam, bonded onto a polyester mesh, which gives it great non-slip qualities on both sides. The polyester mesh means that the non-slip material is waterproof, which opens up the uses of the fabric and makes it easy to clean. The non-slip fabric does not stretch due to its reinforced skeleton. It can be cut down to any shape and size to suit any object or surface. The anti-slip fabric comes in three colours (black, white and beige).

Tenura Non Slip Fabric Under a Keyboard

Tenura Non-slip Fabric Under A Keyboard

At Tenura we use it for all sorts of applications in the office. Many members of staff have the non-slip fabric under their keyboards to stop unwanted movement.  The non-slip fabric acts as a rest for wrists as it is a comfortable cushion, which is very welcome after days typing, like blog posting days. Many of us spend a lot of time on computers and Tenura non-slip fabric can be beneficial to all.

 

Tenura Anti Slip Fabric Rug Underlay

Tenura Non-slip Fabric As Carpet/Rug Underlay

Carpet underlay is another excellent use for Tenura anti-slip fabric. Cut down the fabric and place it on the floor. Cover the fabric with the carpet. The anti-slip fabric keeps the rug in place and stops unwanted movement. For those with wooden floors, carpets/rugs with no non-slip fabric underneath can slip from under your feet. A fall to those who are elderly or disabled can have serious repercussions, so it is vital to keep them safe.

Other Tenura Non-slip Fabric Applications

We have also seen the Tenura non-slip fabric being used in the following applications:

  • Lining for draws, shelves and trays
  • On sofas to keep cushions in place
  • DIY-To keep your tools in position
  • DIY-When sanding which keeps the object secure and minimizes movement
  • Holds objects firm on surfaces that are not horizontal and/or are subject to motion

Buy a roll of Tenura non-slip fabric today and secure your home or the home of a loved one. Please get in touch and let us know what innovative things you have used the non-slip fabric for and don’t forget to send us some pictures via our social media channels; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.