TV medic Dr Zoe Williams warns against ‘cost of sitting crisis’ impacting Welsh home workers

The call to take better care as we age comes after new stats reveal long-term health impact of poor habits of Wales-based home workers

A new study by Enora® has found that almost half (45%) of Welsh people approaching their 50s want to change their lifestyle to better suit their age, but many do not take preventative measures to avoid injury ¾ and Dr Zoe is now encouraging people to make a concerted effort to protect their health in later life.

Despite over half (63%) of Welsh people admitting to feeling increasing discomfort as they age, many continue to take little to no measures to safeguard their future health and wellbeing.

Working-from-home setups were identified as one of the key drivers of increasing discomfort in those over 40; only 31% of local home workers manage to take regular breaks, leaving them sitting for long periods.

What’s more, 12% of those surveyed work from a sofa ¾ a far cry from the NHS recommended set-ups at desks or tables, using supportive cushions if not using a dedicated office chair.

The survey also revealed that more than three quarters (76%) of respondents do not consider a supportive cushion to be a medical aid. Yet, bringing medical devices such as a supportive cushion into the home may be the solution to prevent injury, avoid discomfort, and safeguard future health.

So says Dr Zoe Williams, leading media medic and practicing GP. Working with Frontier Medical Group – NHS suppliers of over 25 years – Dr Zoe is encouraging people in Wales to consider bringing medical devices into their homes to better support their wellbeing as they age. Particularly, those prone to sitting for long periods due to home working, injury or lack of mobility ¾ all at greater risk of falling victim to the so-called ‘cost of sitting crisis’.

To tackle this issue, Frontier Medical Group has this month launched a range of air-powered products which make medical-grade pressure relief accessible to everyone for the first time.

The company’s patented air-powered Repose® technology has been a staple of pressure relieving care in NHS settings for a quarter of a century, and now, it is available to bring into people’s homes through their new venture: Enora®.

A collection of pressure-relieving cushions, Enora® air-powered comfort aids have been designed to provide professional level support in the home. Supporting people who work from home, in recovery from or wanting to prevent pressure sores, or those looking for a comfort solution as they age, the Enora cushions aim to transform home care in the UK.

Dr Zoe said: “We all know the benefits of regular movement and exercise, but as mobility decreases in later life, it’s important we consider how best to protect our health. Many of us are working from home and staying sedentary for long hours, which can lead to pressure build-up and, in extreme cases, can even cause pressure sores.

“Bringing medical devices into the home can help to combat this, and the new air-powered product range from Enora offers a clinically-proven comfort solution which doesn’t compromise on style.”

Matthew Bambery, COO of Frontier Medical Group, said: “We have been leading the charge on pressure-relieving technology in the UK for decades, and we are proud to create Enora and make these air-powered products available to people outside the healthcare system for the first time.

“It is clear from these research statistics, and the backing of leading medic Dr Zoe, that greater awareness of home medical devices is needed. As mobility decreases due to ageing, it can be all too difficult to find a comfort aid that doesn’t look or feel like a clinical device.

“That’s where, we hope, Enora can help. The air cushions have been sensitively designed to blend into people’s homes, aiming to empower people looking for more support.

“Whether using the air cushion range for better comfort and relief while working-from-home, during pregnancy, to improve sleep and relaxation, to improve the comfort of those who sit for long periods or are bed-bound, we hope the air-powered comfort aids will revolutionise home care.”

To find out more about Enora, visit enoracare.com.